Slade O'Hara
Slade O'Hara was first seen on an English racecourse at Salisbury on Thursday, 29 August, 2002.
Slade O'Hara was first seen on an English racecourse at Salisbury on Thursday, 29 August, 2002.
Riding Quite A Night for J. W. Hills, he finished tenth of seventeen runners behind Goodenough Mover.
Riding Quite A Night for J. W. Hills, he finished tenth of seventeen runners behind Goodenough Mover.
That was his only ride of the year; in fact, we didn't see Slade again until 14 May, 2003, when he ran unplaced at Brighton (a notoriously difficult track for an apprentice).
That was his only ride of the year; in fact, we didn't see Slade again until 14 May, 2003, when he ran unplaced at Brighton (a notoriously difficult track for an apprentice).
Ten days later, Slade obtained his first placing. Riding Didn't Tell My Wife, he finished second, beaten a neck, to Efidium at Doncaster.
Ten days later, Slade obtained his first placing. Riding Didn't Tell My Wife, he finished second, beaten a neck, to Efidium at Doncaster.
It was at Thirsk on 25 July, 2003, that Slade broke his duck. Reunited with Didn't Tell My Wife, Slade made no mistake this time, holding on by three-quarters of a length from Glenhurich.
It was at Thirsk on 25 July, 2003, that Slade broke his duck. Reunited with Didn't Tell My Wife, Slade made no mistake this time, holding on by three-quarters of a length from Glenhurich.
Dr Jeremy Naylor was one of the first to spot Slade's talent. At Warwick on September 5, 2005, he put the young jockey up on his mare, Serramana. He put him up again on the same horse on the same track 12 days later.
Dr Jeremy Naylor was one of the first to spot Slade's talent. At Warwick on September 5, 2005, he put the young jockey up on his mare, Serramana. He put him up again on the same horse on the same track 12 days later.
Slade won on both occasions.
Slade won on both occasions.
Naylor had seen Slade riding Leslingtaylor to great effect in a four-runner race at Haydock. The horse was only third favourite but won very easily indeed. In bad ground, Slade's claim was worth very nearly double and, thought Naylor, amounted to a penalty kick. Hence he booked Slade for Serramana.
Naylor had seen Slade riding Leslingtaylor to great effect in a four-runner race at Haydock. The horse was only third favourite but won very easily indeed. In bad ground, Slade's claim was worth very nearly double and, thought Naylor, amounted to a penalty kick. Hence he booked Slade for Serramana.
Slade rode just five more times that year, without success.
Slade rode just five more times that year, without success.
That was bad enough, yet, the following season, 2005, he suffered a complete whitewash from eleven rides.
That was bad enough, yet, the following season, 2005, he suffered a complete whitewash from eleven rides.
One winner in three seasons; statistics that may well have finished off a lesser jockey, yet Slade refused to be deflected.
One winner in three seasons; statistics that may well have finished off a lesser jockey, yet Slade refused to be deflected.
He suddenly became fashionable in 2005 and, being given the chance to show his ability, he won on 12 of his 117 mounts.
He suddenly became fashionable in 2005 and, being given the chance to show his ability, he won on 12 of his 117 mounts.
Sadly, this season was to be the only one in which his winning total reached double figures..
Sadly, this season was to be the only one in which his winning total reached double figures..
A memorable win came on the Alan Berry-trained Look Busy in the Group 2 Betfred.com Temple Stakes.
A memorable win came on the Alan Berry-trained Look Busy in the Group 2 Betfred.com Temple Stakes.
Simon brought the horse from last to first to edge out Borderlesscott. Look Busy had a potentially tricky draw in one and Simon took a pull leaving he stalls to track across behind the field.
Simon brought the horse from last to first to edge out Borderlesscott. Look Busy had a potentially tricky draw in one and Simon took a pull leaving he stalls to track across behind the field.
Slade said after: 'I thought I'd take my time with her and she prefers to run that way, so I didn't see any need to change the tactics. I did think they might get away but they quickened up well on that ground and kept going. I thought I was going to get collared right on the line.'
Slade said after: 'I thought I'd take my time with her and she prefers to run that way, so I didn't see any need to change the tactics. I did think they might get away but they quickened up well on that ground and kept going. I thought I was going to get collared right on the line.'
The delighted trainer said: 'It was nice for Slade as he rides her a lot at home. He was entitled to ride her. Hopefully, he'll lose his claim soon.'
The delighted trainer said: 'It was nice for Slade as he rides her a lot at home. He was entitled to ride her. Hopefully, he'll lose his claim soon.'
Unfortunately, it didn't work out like that and, on September 10, 2011, Slade took what he thought would be his last ride in England, Dingaan at Kempton Park.
Unfortunately, it didn't work out like that and, on September 10, 2011, Slade took what he thought would be his last ride in England, Dingaan at Kempton Park.
In an effort to secure his future, Slade had accepted work in Japan.
In an effort to secure his future, Slade had accepted work in Japan.
He had only been there three weeks when the tsunami struck in March, marooning him some forty miles from the malfunctioning nuclear reactors in Fukushima.
He had only been there three weeks when the tsunami struck in March, marooning him some forty miles from the malfunctioning nuclear reactors in Fukushima.
With his girlfriend back in England and just two weeks away from having a baby, 27-year-old Slade was keen to get back. The idea had been for her to join him on a permanent basis in Japan once the baby had been born.
With his girlfriend back in England and just two weeks away from having a baby, 27-year-old Slade was keen to get back. The idea had been for her to join him on a permanent basis in Japan once the baby had been born.
There was no chance of Slade remaining in Japan even if he'd wanted to - the track on which he rode work had been totally destroyed - but with no planes or trains running, Slade found himself with no way out.
There was no chance of Slade remaining in Japan even if he'd wanted to - the track on which he rode work had been totally destroyed - but with no planes or trains running, Slade found himself with no way out.
Eventually he did get back and began establishing his career. His first mount back, on January 17, 2013, was Flow Chart at Wolverhampton. Slade finished stone last of eleven runners, but he was just pleased to be back riding.
Eventually he did get back and began establishing his career. His first mount back, on January 17, 2013, was Flow Chart at Wolverhampton. Slade finished stone last of eleven runners, but he was just pleased to be back riding.
Flow Chart made amends when becoming Slade's first winner back - from nineteen rides - when scoring at Wolverhampton on February 7.
Flow Chart made amends when becoming Slade's first winner back - from nineteen rides - when scoring at Wolverhampton on February 7.
Since he returned from Japan to the time of writing (6 October, 2014), Slade has ridden 11 winners from 223 mounts.
Since he returned from Japan to the time of writing (6 October, 2014), Slade has ridden 11 winners from 223 mounts.
Slade, born on 3 October, 1983, is a freelance. He lives in Ridgmont, Bedford, and his agent is Andy Waterworth.
Slade, born on 3 October, 1983, is a freelance. He lives in Ridgmont, Bedford, and his agent is Andy Waterworth.