Geoffrey Oldroyd
The son of a businessman, Geoffrey Reginald Oldroyd was born in Scarborough on December 21, 1946 and lived at Bushpasture, Caravan Site No. 2, Soham Road, Fordham, Cambridgeshire.
The son of a businessman, Geoffrey Reginald Oldroyd was born in Scarborough on December 21, 1946 and lived at Bushpasture, Caravan Site No. 2, Soham Road, Fordham, Cambridgeshire.
Aged 10, he was a member of the MIddleton Pony Club and won several competitions.
Aged 10, he was a member of the MIddleton Pony Club and won several competitions.
He served his apprenticeship with Pat Rohan between 1961 - 1968.
He served his apprenticeship with Pat Rohan between 1961 - 1968.
His first winner, Cave of Dracan, came on June 24, 1963, at Stockton
His first winner, Cave of Dracan, came on June 24, 1963, at Stockton
His best season was his last as an apprentice in 1968, when he rode 39 winners.
His best season was his last as an apprentice in 1968, when he rode 39 winners.
Oldroyd's big race wins included the Usher-Vaux Brewery Gold Tankard in 1968 on First Phase. Newbury Empire Handicap and the Rous Selling Stakes at York. In July, 1967, he rode four winners from four rides at Edinburgh.
Oldroyd's big race wins included the Usher-Vaux Brewery Gold Tankard in 1968 on First Phase. Newbury Empire Handicap and the Rous Selling Stakes at York. In July, 1967, he rode four winners from four rides at Edinburgh.
He spent the majority of his riding career at Malton, where he began training in 1985. His first win as trainer was with his very first runner, Low Flyer at Beverley in April, 1985. It was, however, a false dawn as it proved to be his only success of the season.
He spent the majority of his riding career at Malton, where he began training in 1985. His first win as trainer was with his very first runner, Low Flyer at Beverley in April, 1985. It was, however, a false dawn as it proved to be his only success of the season.
His tenacity and determination to succeed were rewarded at Redcar in October 2010 when he saddled his biggest-ever winner, Ladies Are Forever, to clinch the £130,000 first prize in the Totesport Two-Year-Old Trophy.
His tenacity and determination to succeed were rewarded at Redcar in October 2010 when he saddled his biggest-ever winner, Ladies Are Forever, to clinch the £130,000 first prize in the Totesport Two-Year-Old Trophy.
This win was especially pleasing for Oldroyd. Reg Bond, who owned the horse, had given him a job as a wagon driver after he had finished riding. Then one day, Oldroyd approached Day, asking his boss to set him up as a trainer. Day agreed and started the ex-jockey off with a few fillies.
This win was especially pleasing for Oldroyd. Reg Bond, who owned the horse, had given him a job as a wagon driver after he had finished riding. Then one day, Oldroyd approached Day, asking his boss to set him up as a trainer. Day agreed and started the ex-jockey off with a few fillies.
On March 8, 1969, he married Dianne Burdett; she gave him a son, Timothy.
On March 8, 1969, he married Dianne Burdett; she gave him a son, Timothy.
Pat Rohan took over Malton the stables in 1958 following the death of trainer Bill Dutton. The next year he married Dutton's daughter.
Pat Rohan took over Malton the stables in 1958 following the death of trainer Bill Dutton. The next year he married Dutton's daughter.
Other jockeys who rode for Rohan included Dennis Letherby and apprentices Martin Hindley and Gary Hughes.
Other jockeys who rode for Rohan included Dennis Letherby and apprentices Martin Hindley and Gary Hughes.