Jamie Oliver
Years before becoming a director at Market Rasen, Tony Osborne used to hunt in Yorkshire, so it was no surprise when his son, Jamie - who had ridden ponies since before he could walk - spent his summer holidays working in the yards of David Nicholson and Josh Gifford.
Years before becoming a director at Market Rasen, Tony Osborne used to hunt in Yorkshire, so it was no surprise when his son, Jamie - who had ridden ponies since before he could walk - spent his summer holidays working in the yards of David Nicholson and Josh Gifford.
Jamie, born on 28 August, 1967, spent a year at the stables of Harry Wharton and it was for this trainer that the rookie jockey rode his first-ever winner, Fair Bavard, in the 3.45 at Southwell on Saturday, March 29, 1986.
Jamie, born on 28 August, 1967, spent a year at the stables of Harry Wharton and it was for this trainer that the rookie jockey rode his first-ever winner, Fair Bavard, in the 3.45 at Southwell on Saturday, March 29, 1986.
In March, 1987, and then the leading northern amateur, Jamie had his first rides at the Cheltenham Festival when partnering Bally-Go in the Kim Muir on the Tuesday and Tom Bill in the Mildmay Of Flete the following day.
In March, 1987, and then the leading northern amateur, Jamie had his first rides at the Cheltenham Festival when partnering Bally-Go in the Kim Muir on the Tuesday and Tom Bill in the Mildmay Of Flete the following day.
Neither won - in fact, Jamie had to wait until 12 March, 1991, for his first-ever Cheltenham winner - Aldino in the Grand Annual Chase.
Neither won - in fact, Jamie had to wait until 12 March, 1991, for his first-ever Cheltenham winner - Aldino in the Grand Annual Chase.
In April that year, he announced his intention of voluntarily turning professional the next season.
In April that year, he announced his intention of voluntarily turning professional the next season.
Before doing so, Jamie knew that if he wanted to make it big-time, he would need to be based in the south of England and, on impulse, phoned Nicky Henderson. With 14 winners behind him, he felt he had a chance of being taken on, and he was - but it was on the basis that he was ninth in line for rides as a conditional.
Before doing so, Jamie knew that if he wanted to make it big-time, he would need to be based in the south of England and, on impulse, phoned Nicky Henderson. With 14 winners behind him, he felt he had a chance of being taken on, and he was - but it was on the basis that he was ninth in line for rides as a conditional.
Jamie agreed and, in August, 1987, left Castleford trainer Chris Bell to join Henderson's Lambourn stable. He was replaced at Bell's by Chris Dennis.
Jamie agreed and, in August, 1987, left Castleford trainer Chris Bell to join Henderson's Lambourn stable. He was replaced at Bell's by Chris Dennis.
Jamie admitted to being the worst stable lad in history. He would take the head lad out for dinner and sweet-talk him into allowing him to go schooling for other trainers. One day, after discovering mushrooms in the boxes that Jamie was supposed to be mucking out, the head lad gave in and let him start riding out.
Jamie admitted to being the worst stable lad in history. He would take the head lad out for dinner and sweet-talk him into allowing him to go schooling for other trainers. One day, after discovering mushrooms in the boxes that Jamie was supposed to be mucking out, the head lad gave in and let him start riding out.
Within three months - on 3 November - he broke his collar-bone in a fall from Crowning Moment at Fontwell Park.
Within three months - on 3 November - he broke his collar-bone in a fall from Crowning Moment at Fontwell Park.
On Monday, April 24, 1989, Jamie announced his intention of leaving Nicky Henderson at the end of the season to replace the retiring Simon Sherwood as first jockey to Oliver Sherwood (left).
On Monday, April 24, 1989, Jamie announced his intention of leaving Nicky Henderson at the end of the season to replace the retiring Simon Sherwood as first jockey to Oliver Sherwood (left).
Jamie said at the time; 'When Simon retired I had no inclination that I was being considered. I thought an older, more experienced rider would be favoured. To say it was a bit of a shock is to put it mildly, but it is a very pleasant one. It should see my riding career out.' (And it did: Jamie stayed with Sherwood until his own retirement.)
Jamie said at the time; 'When Simon retired I had no inclination that I was being considered. I thought an older, more experienced rider would be favoured. To say it was a bit of a shock is to put it mildly, but it is a very pleasant one. It should see my riding career out.' (And it did: Jamie stayed with Sherwood until his own retirement.)
Jamie was then 21, and has been eventually expected to become Henderson's number one rider.
Jamie was then 21, and has been eventually expected to become Henderson's number one rider.
The Lambourn trainer immediately offered to match the money offered by Sherwood, but Jamie wanted to go to the yard which at that stage looked like having the better horses.
The Lambourn trainer immediately offered to match the money offered by Sherwood, but Jamie wanted to go to the yard which at that stage looked like having the better horses.
On 6 May, 1989, riding for Sherwood, Jamie won on Ryco. A week later he broke his collar-bone again and didn't ride another winner for nearly five months.
On 6 May, 1989, riding for Sherwood, Jamie won on Ryco. A week later he broke his collar-bone again and didn't ride another winner for nearly five months.
On Thursday, 28 September, on Night Session, he stormed by twenty lengths in the Grunwick Novices' Chase at Taunton.
On Thursday, 28 September, on Night Session, he stormed by twenty lengths in the Grunwick Novices' Chase at Taunton.
With his brother Simon getting married the next day, Oliver Sherwood missed the happy comeback.
With his brother Simon getting married the next day, Oliver Sherwood missed the happy comeback.
Jamie's association with the stable proved a happy one. He rode the likes of Large Action, placed in two Champion Hurdles, Hennessy winner Arctic Call and Coulton on which Jamie won five races in one season. Yet his all-time favourite horse was Cruising Altitude (below) which, Jamie said at the time, was 'far and away the best horse I've ridden. He's got several gears.'
Jamie's association with the stable proved a happy one. He rode the likes of Large Action, placed in two Champion Hurdles, Hennessy winner Arctic Call and Coulton on which Jamie won five races in one season. Yet his all-time favourite horse was Cruising Altitude (below) which, Jamie said at the time, was 'far and away the best horse I've ridden. He's got several gears.'
Cruising Altitude clears the last ahead of the ill-fated Floyd in Cheltenham's Bula Hurdle, 1989
Cruising Altitude clears the last ahead of the ill-fated Floyd in Cheltenham's Bula Hurdle, 1989
In the 1990 Champion Hurdle, Cruising Altitude fell at the second: yet again, Jamie broke a collar-bone.
In the 1990 Champion Hurdle, Cruising Altitude fell at the second: yet again, Jamie broke a collar-bone.
Bouncing back just five weeks later, Jamie was 'comfortable' in Worcester Royal Infirmary with crushed vertebrae and two fractured ribs following a fall on Five Lamps at Worcester on April 28. He missed the rest of the season.
Bouncing back just five weeks later, Jamie was 'comfortable' in Worcester Royal Infirmary with crushed vertebrae and two fractured ribs following a fall on Five Lamps at Worcester on April 28. He missed the rest of the season.
Oliver Sherwood fulfilled a long-held ambition to train a winner in Ireland when Jamie and Young Pokey won the BMW Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on St George's Day, 1991.
Oliver Sherwood fulfilled a long-held ambition to train a winner in Ireland when Jamie and Young Pokey won the BMW Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on St George's Day, 1991.
In February, 1992, Jamie became involved in an undignified brawl with fellow jockey, Billy Morris, who was also a Territorial Army reservist.
In February, 1992, Jamie became involved in an undignified brawl with fellow jockey, Billy Morris, who was also a Territorial Army reservist.
After the Radcot Handicap Hurdle at Newbury, Morris butted Jamie in the face, causing him to lose a tooth. Valets stepped in to pull the two men apart.
After the Radcot Handicap Hurdle at Newbury, Morris butted Jamie in the face, causing him to lose a tooth. Valets stepped in to pull the two men apart.
Morris was found guilty of improper conduct and fined £200.
Morris was found guilty of improper conduct and fined £200.
In an earlier incident, on Scottish Grand National Day, 1990, Jamie received a slap on the face in the weighing room by Jenny Pitman. She was also fined £200.
In an earlier incident, on Scottish Grand National Day, 1990, Jamie received a slap on the face in the weighing room by Jenny Pitman. She was also fined £200.
'I must have the sort of face that people like to hit,' said Jamie as he left the Berkshire course in search of a dentist.
'I must have the sort of face that people like to hit,' said Jamie as he left the Berkshire course in search of a dentist.
On Tuesday, March 10, 1992, Jamie landed a magnificent treble at the Cheltenham Festival.
On Tuesday, March 10, 1992, Jamie landed a magnificent treble at the Cheltenham Festival.
His winners were Flown, Young Pokey & Nomadic Way. He followed this up the next day with a terrific win on Remittance Man in the Queen Mother.
His winners were Flown, Young Pokey & Nomadic Way. He followed this up the next day with a terrific win on Remittance Man in the Queen Mother.
Jamie Osborne
Jamie Osborne
Big winners:
Big winners:
1990: Hennessy Gold Cup – Arctic Call
1990: Hennessy Gold Cup – Arctic Call
1990: Tingle Creek Handicap Chase – Young Snugfit
1990: Tingle Creek Handicap Chase – Young Snugfit
1991: Grand Annual Chase – Aldino
1991: Grand Annual Chase – Aldino
1992: Mildmay-Cazalet Memorial Chase – Arctic Call
1992: Mildmay-Cazalet Memorial Chase – Arctic Call
1992: Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Flown
1992: Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Flown
1992: Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase – Young Pokey
1992: Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase – Young Pokey
1992: Queen Mother Champion Chase – Remittance Man
1992: Queen Mother Champion Chase – Remittance Man
1992: Stayers’ Hurdle – Nomadic Way
1992: Stayers’ Hurdle – Nomadic Way
1992: County Handicap Hurdle – Dusty Miller
1992: County Handicap Hurdle – Dusty Miller
1993: Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase – Travado
1993: Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase – Travado
1994: Imperial Cup – Large Action
1994: Imperial Cup – Large Action
1994: Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase – Nakir
1994: Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase – Nakir
1994: Tote Gold Trophy – Large Action
1994: Tote Gold Trophy – Large Action
1995: Tote Gold Trophy – Mysilv
1995: Tote Gold Trophy – Mysilv
1995: Imperial Cup – Mysilv
1995: Imperial Cup – Mysilv
1995: Cathcart Challenge Cup Chase – Coulton
1995: Cathcart Challenge Cup Chase – Coulton
1995: Irish Grand National – Flashing Steel
1995: Irish Grand National – Flashing Steel
1995: Long Walk Hurdle – Silver Wedge
1995: Long Walk Hurdle – Silver Wedge
1997: Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Shadow Leader
1997: Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Shadow Leader
1997: Imperial Cup – Carlito Brigante
1997: Imperial Cup – Carlito Brigante
1997: Stayers’ Hurdle – Karshi
1997: Stayers’ Hurdle – Karshi
1997: Hennessy Gold Cup – Coome Hill
1997: Hennessy Gold Cup – Coome Hill
He had five winners in all at the meeting, making him the leading jockey.
He had five winners in all at the meeting, making him the leading jockey.
In 1994, Jamie rode his third Arkle winner in a row when scoring on Nakir.
In 1994, Jamie rode his third Arkle winner in a row when scoring on Nakir.
At the same day's meeting he had also finished third on Large Action. Having done so he said: 'any winner is better than any third. To be perfectly honest, I would rather win a novice hurdle round Plumpton than be third in the Champion Hurdle.'
At the same day's meeting he had also finished third on Large Action. Having done so he said: 'any winner is better than any third. To be perfectly honest, I would rather win a novice hurdle round Plumpton than be third in the Champion Hurdle.'
Writing in The Times in May, 1994, Jamie looked at the dangers which confront jockeys on a daily basis.
Writing in The Times in May, 1994, Jamie looked at the dangers which confront jockeys on a daily basis.
On Monday, October 5, 1998, Jamie was eliminated from police inquiries into a race-fixing and doping investigation. Jamie had ridden Avanti Express at Exeter on March 7, 1997, which afterwards tested positive for the sedative ACP.
On Monday, October 5, 1998, Jamie was eliminated from police inquiries into a race-fixing and doping investigation. Jamie had ridden Avanti Express at Exeter on March 7, 1997, which afterwards tested positive for the sedative ACP.
During this time, Robert Harrington, a former detective, approached Jamie and tried to convince him that he would be implicated unless he paid a £2,000 bribe. Jamie immediately contacted Scotland Yard and, subsequently, Harrington was given an 18-month jail sentence.
During this time, Robert Harrington, a former detective, approached Jamie and tried to convince him that he would be implicated unless he paid a £2,000 bribe. Jamie immediately contacted Scotland Yard and, subsequently, Harrington was given an 18-month jail sentence.
In March, 1999, then aged 31, Jamie announced his retirement from the saddle saying: 'I haven't been enjoying it as much as I used to. There were lots of lows. I kept falling off, banging my head. I've just had enough of it. I've no regrets, but I will not be looking back. I certainly won't miss going to Ludlow on a Thursday.'
In March, 1999, then aged 31, Jamie announced his retirement from the saddle saying: 'I haven't been enjoying it as much as I used to. There were lots of lows. I kept falling off, banging my head. I've just had enough of it. I've no regrets, but I will not be looking back. I certainly won't miss going to Ludlow on a Thursday.'
Simon Sherwood said at the time: 'Jamie was like another brother to me. He had a talent for communicating with owners and was a great stable jockey. I'm not surprised he is going. He has had a basinful of falls.'
Simon Sherwood said at the time: 'Jamie was like another brother to me. He had a talent for communicating with owners and was a great stable jockey. I'm not surprised he is going. He has had a basinful of falls.'
Jamie's best season was 1996 -1997 when he finished second in the jockeys' table with 131. His greatest day in the saddle was riding his Cheltenham Festival treble.
Jamie's best season was 1996 -1997 when he finished second in the jockeys' table with 131. His greatest day in the saddle was riding his Cheltenham Festival treble.
It was at this course that he suffered a badly broken wrist in November, 1997: one moment he was enjoying his win on the grey Senor El Betrutti - the next he was thrown to the ground from Space Trucker, smashing his wrist in 16 different places. He was to told in January 1998 that his hand might never recover.
It was at this course that he suffered a badly broken wrist in November, 1997: one moment he was enjoying his win on the grey Senor El Betrutti - the next he was thrown to the ground from Space Trucker, smashing his wrist in 16 different places. He was to told in January 1998 that his hand might never recover.
It was five days after this that Jamie was arrested at 6 a.m. regarding Avanti Express.
It was five days after this that Jamie was arrested at 6 a.m. regarding Avanti Express.
During his eleven months away from the saddle, his depression was much worsened when his great friend John Durkan died from leukaemia. Jamie read out a moving address at his funeral.
During his eleven months away from the saddle, his depression was much worsened when his great friend John Durkan died from leukaemia. Jamie read out a moving address at his funeral.
Then, as his recovery neared its completion, he took a room at Ascot to celebrate his return. Friends, family and supporters turned out.
Then, as his recovery neared its completion, he took a room at Ascot to celebrate his return. Friends, family and supporters turned out.
Another of Jamie's best friends at that time was the artist Rose Nugent. Jamie gave her some tickets for Ascot. Twenty minutes later her horse-drawn carriage careered out of control. Rose was crushed as it overturned and she died moments later from her injuries.
Another of Jamie's best friends at that time was the artist Rose Nugent. Jamie gave her some tickets for Ascot. Twenty minutes later her horse-drawn carriage careered out of control. Rose was crushed as it overturned and she died moments later from her injuries.
Jamie was now at his lowest ebb yet, on his comeback ride, Coombe Hill, he ploughed through the mud to win and burst into tears as he crossed the line.
Jamie was now at his lowest ebb yet, on his comeback ride, Coombe Hill, he ploughed through the mud to win and burst into tears as he crossed the line.
He did not kid himself: he knew that things would never again be the same.
He did not kid himself: he knew that things would never again be the same.
He began searching for a base from which to train Flat horses. 'This is now what I want to do,' he said at the time. 'I will be buying yearlings in the autumn and looking to have runners about this time next year.'
He began searching for a base from which to train Flat horses. 'This is now what I want to do,' he said at the time. 'I will be buying yearlings in the autumn and looking to have runners about this time next year.'