Brian Rouse
Brian Rouse
1940 - 2025
1940 - 2025
Brian Albert Rouse was born at St Mary Abbots Hospital, Kensington, London on 5 April 1940, although the family home was in Lillie Road, Fulham. He rode his first winner, Gay Bird, on 29 July 1957, in the Apprentices’ Selling Handicap at Alexandra Park for Ted Smyth, to whom he was apprenticed at Epsom.
Brian Albert Rouse was born at St Mary Abbots Hospital, Kensington, London on 5 April 1940, although the family home was in Lillie Road, Fulham. He rode his first winner, Gay Bird, on 29 July 1957, in the Apprentices’ Selling Handicap at Alexandra Park for Ted Smyth, to whom he was apprenticed at Epsom.
He left the sport to become a trainee electrician at Joe Lyons at Hammersmith but was persuaded back into racing by trainer John Sutcliffe in 1972. His second winner came on New Tack at Chepstow on 29 May 1972, some fifteen years after his first.
He left the sport to become a trainee electrician at Joe Lyons at Hammersmith but was persuaded back into racing by trainer John Sutcliffe in 1972. His second winner came on New Tack at Chepstow on 29 May 1972, some fifteen years after his first.
It meant riding against the top jockeys without an allowance despite having had only one winner, 15 years earlier. Progress was slow and he tried his hand as a jump jockey, riding ten winners in three seasons – the first of them on The Stuartstan, trained by Sutcliffe, in the Eastergate Novices’ Hurdle (Division 3) at Fontwell Park on 6 November 1972 – but he gradually established himself on the Flat, recording his first big race victory on Jump About in the 1975 Jubilee Handicap at Kempton..
It meant riding against the top jockeys without an allowance despite having had only one winner, 15 years earlier. Progress was slow and he tried his hand as a jump jockey, riding ten winners in three seasons – the first of them on The Stuartstan, trained by Sutcliffe, in the Eastergate Novices’ Hurdle (Division 3) at Fontwell Park on 6 November 1972 – but he gradually established himself on the Flat, recording his first big race victory on Jump About in the 1975 Jubilee Handicap at Kempton..
He quickly made up for lost time, riding 60 winners in the 1978 season, including the Northumberland Plate (for the second time), Goodwood Cup (Tug of War), Cambridgeshire (Baronet), and recording his first Pattern race success aboard Don in the Lockinge Stakes. He was definitely lucky when winning the Lockinge, as the clear leader Jellaby stumbled and unseated Brian Taylor inside the final furlong.
He quickly made up for lost time, riding 60 winners in the 1978 season, including the Northumberland Plate (for the second time), Goodwood Cup (Tug of War), Cambridgeshire (Baronet), and recording his first Pattern race success aboard Don in the Lockinge Stakes. He was definitely lucky when winning the Lockinge, as the clear leader Jellaby stumbled and unseated Brian Taylor inside the final furlong.
He rode Royal Ascot specialist Blue Refrain to victory there three years running, in 1978 (Windsor Castle Stakes), 1979 (Jersey Stakes) and 1980 (Queen Anne Stakes).
He rode Royal Ascot specialist Blue Refrain to victory there three years running, in 1978 (Windsor Castle Stakes), 1979 (Jersey Stakes) and 1980 (Queen Anne Stakes).
Brian rode his only British classic winner two years later when winning the 1,000 Guineas on Quick As Lightning at 12-1 for trainer John Dunlop and her American-based owner-breeder Ogden Mills Phipps. Quick As Lighting had been turned down by four other jockeys. She was made favourite for the Oaks but could finish only a distant fourth behind Bireme. This was also the year he won his second Cambridgeshire, once again aboard Baronet.
Brian rode his only British classic winner two years later when winning the 1,000 Guineas on Quick As Lightning at 12-1 for trainer John Dunlop and her American-based owner-breeder Ogden Mills Phipps. Quick As Lighting had been turned down by four other jockeys. She was made favourite for the Oaks but could finish only a distant fourth behind Bireme. This was also the year he won his second Cambridgeshire, once again aboard Baronet.
This led to a fruitful partnership with Quick As Lightning’s trainer John Dunlop, for whom he rode three winners of the Princess Royal Stakes (now British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes) and Sergeyevich, the 1987 St Leger Italiano winner. He also rode Habibti to her maiden victory.
This led to a fruitful partnership with Quick As Lightning’s trainer John Dunlop, for whom he rode three winners of the Princess Royal Stakes (now British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes) and Sergeyevich, the 1987 St Leger Italiano winner. He also rode Habibti to her maiden victory.
At Lingfield Park on 9 July 1982, he rode five winners from five rides for five different trainers.
At Lingfield Park on 9 July 1982, he rode five winners from five rides for five different trainers.
In 1983, he rode the mare Stanerra, owned and trained by retail tycoon Frank Dunne, for the first time when winning the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at 20-1. They then landed an amazing Royal Ascot double, winning the Prince of Wales’s Stakes on the Tuesday and the Hardwicke Stakes on the Friday, breaking Grundy's mile-and-a-half course record in the later contest.
In 1983, he rode the mare Stanerra, owned and trained by retail tycoon Frank Dunne, for the first time when winning the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at 20-1. They then landed an amazing Royal Ascot double, winning the Prince of Wales’s Stakes on the Tuesday and the Hardwicke Stakes on the Friday, breaking Grundy's mile-and-a-half course record in the later contest.
He also won the Joe McGrath Memorial Stakes (now Irish Champion) Stakes at Leopardstown on Stanerra and then gained a famous victory on her in the Japan Cup, becoming the first European-trained winner of the race.
He also won the Joe McGrath Memorial Stakes (now Irish Champion) Stakes at Leopardstown on Stanerra and then gained a famous victory on her in the Japan Cup, becoming the first European-trained winner of the race.
He never won an Epsom Classic. His only placed mount in the Derby was Mighty Flutter, who belied his odds of 66-1 to finish third to Secreto and El Gran Senor in 1984.
He never won an Epsom Classic. His only placed mount in the Derby was Mighty Flutter, who belied his odds of 66-1 to finish third to Secreto and El Gran Senor in 1984.
His best season, numerically, was 1984, with 67 winners.
His best season, numerically, was 1984, with 67 winners.
From 1978, Brian spent the next seven winters riding in Hong Kong. During one of his winters riding there, he won the Hong Kong Derby on Superior Gold in 1985.
From 1978, Brian spent the next seven winters riding in Hong Kong. During one of his winters riding there, he won the Hong Kong Derby on Superior Gold in 1985.
He also rode Desert Orchid in his only Flat race, when unplaced in the 1985 Sagaro Stakes.
He also rode Desert Orchid in his only Flat race, when unplaced in the 1985 Sagaro Stakes.
His last major success came at the age of 50 when successful in the 1990 Gran Premio d'Italia aboard Dashing Blade for Ian Balding. He also landed five Group races on Karinga Bay – the Gordon Stakes followed by four in Germany.
His last major success came at the age of 50 when successful in the 1990 Gran Premio d'Italia aboard Dashing Blade for Ian Balding. He also landed five Group races on Karinga Bay – the Gordon Stakes followed by four in Germany.
He rode some 900 winners in Britain (including 10 over hurdles), the last of which was on Shen Yang at Folkestone on 31 May 1995. He rode a further 100 abroad. They included 38 Group race wins (Great Britain 25, Germany 7, Ireland 2, Italy 2, France 1, Japan 1), four of them at Group 1 level) and nine winners at Royal Ascot.
He rode some 900 winners in Britain (including 10 over hurdles), the last of which was on Shen Yang at Folkestone on 31 May 1995. He rode a further 100 abroad. They included 38 Group race wins (Great Britain 25, Germany 7, Ireland 2, Italy 2, France 1, Japan 1), four of them at Group 1 level) and nine winners at Royal Ascot.
He announced his retirement, aged 56, in April 1996, the result of a stalls accident at Lingfield the previous year in which he badly injured his left hand. He had hoped to renew his licence but the two fingers damaged in the accident had failed to recover sufficiently for him to resume race-riding.
He announced his retirement, aged 56, in April 1996, the result of a stalls accident at Lingfield the previous year in which he badly injured his left hand. He had hoped to renew his licence but the two fingers damaged in the accident had failed to recover sufficiently for him to resume race-riding.
His services were immediately snapped up by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club to coach the colony’s apprentice jockeys.
His services were immediately snapped up by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club to coach the colony’s apprentice jockeys.
Iin September 2022 his grandson Aidan Keeley won the Cambridgeshire aboard Majestic at 25-1.
Iin September 2022 his grandson Aidan Keeley won the Cambridgeshire aboard Majestic at 25-1.
Aged 85, Brian Rouse died from Alzheimer’s on 11 November 2025. He was predeceased by his wife Doreen by some 24 years. He is survived by his daughters Pamela and Deborah.
Aged 85, Brian Rouse died from Alzheimer’s on 11 November 2025. He was predeceased by his wife Doreen by some 24 years. He is survived by his daughters Pamela and Deborah.
Classic winners:
Classic winners:
One Thousand Guineas: Quick As Lightning (1980)
One Thousand Guineas: Quick As Lightning (1980)
St Leger Italiano – Sergeyevich (1987)
St Leger Italiano – Sergeyevich (1987)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1975: Jubilee Handicap – Jump About
1975: Jubilee Handicap – Jump About
1977: Northumberland Plate – Tug Of War
1977: Northumberland Plate – Tug Of War
1978: Lockinge Stakes – Don
1978: Lockinge Stakes – Don
1978: Temple Stakes – Oscilight (dead-heat)
1978: Temple Stakes – Oscilight (dead-heat)
1978: Windsor Castle Stakes – Blue Refrain
1978: Windsor Castle Stakes – Blue Refrain
1978: Northumberland Plate – Tug Of War
1978: Northumberland Plate – Tug Of War
1978: Goodwood Cup – Tug Of War
1978: Goodwood Cup – Tug Of War
1978: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Baronet
1978: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Baronet
1979: Jersey Stakes – Blue Refrain
1979: Jersey Stakes – Blue Refrain
1980: Jubilee Handicap – Blue Refrain
1980: Jubilee Handicap – Blue Refrain
1980: Temple Stakes – Sharpo
1980: Temple Stakes – Sharpo
1980: Queen Anne Stakes – Blue Refrain
1980: Queen Anne Stakes – Blue Refrain
1980: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Baronet
1980: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Baronet
1981: Princess Royal Stakes – Flighting
1981: Princess Royal Stakes – Flighting
1982: Bessborough Stakes – Spin Of A Coin
1982: Bessborough Stakes – Spin Of A Coin
1982: Princess Royal Stakes – Believer
1982: Princess Royal Stakes – Believer
1982: Ebor Handicap – Another Sam
1982: Ebor Handicap – Another Sam
1983: Jubilee Handicap – Elmar
1983: Jubilee Handicap – Elmar
1983: Brigadier Gerard Stakes – Stanerra
1983: Brigadier Gerard Stakes – Stanerra
1983: Prince of Wales’s Stakes – Stanerra
1983: Prince of Wales’s Stakes – Stanerra
1983: Hardwicke Stakes – Stanerra
1983: Hardwicke Stakes – Stanerra
1983: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Sylvan Barbarosa
1983: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Sylvan Barbarosa
1983: Goodwood Mile – Montekin
1983: Goodwood Mile – Montekin
1983: September Stakes – Lyphard’s Special
1983: September Stakes – Lyphard’s Special
1983: Cesarewitch Handicap – Bajan Sunshine
1983: Cesarewitch Handicap – Bajan Sunshine
1984: Sandown Classic Trial – Alphabatim
1984: Sandown Classic Trial – Alphabatim
1984: Lingfield Derby Trial – Alphabatim
1984: Lingfield Derby Trial – Alphabatim
1984: Jersey Stakes – Miss Silca Key
1984: Jersey Stakes – Miss Silca Key
1985: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Kitinisky
1985: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Kitinisky
1986: Cornwallis Stakes – Singing Steven
1986: Cornwallis Stakes – Singing Steven
1987: Abernant Stakes – Governor General
1987: Abernant Stakes – Governor General
1987: Tote Festival Handicap – Roushayd
1987: Tote Festival Handicap – Roushayd
1987: King George Stakes – Singing Steven
1987: King George Stakes – Singing Steven
1988: Gimcrack Stakes – Sharp N’ Early
1988: Gimcrack Stakes – Sharp N’ Early
1988: Princess Royal Stakes – Banket
1988: Princess Royal Stakes – Banket
1990: King George V Handicap – Lift And Load
1990: King George V Handicap – Lift And Load
1990: Gordon Stakes – Karinga Bay
1990: Gordon Stakes – Karinga Bay
1993: Sagaro Stakes – Roll A Dollar
1993: Sagaro Stakes – Roll A Dollar
In Ireland:
In Ireland:
1983: Joe McGrath Memorial Stakes – Stanerra
1983: Joe McGrath Memorial Stakes – Stanerra
1984: Curragh International – Teleprompter
1984: Curragh International – Teleprompter
In France:
In France:
1984: Prix Quincey – Teleprompter
1984: Prix Quincey – Teleprompter
In Italy:
In Italy:
1990: Gran Premio d’Italia – Dashing Blade
1990: Gran Premio d’Italia – Dashing Blade
In Japan:
In Japan:
1983: Japan Cup - Stanerra
1983: Japan Cup - Stanerra
In Hong Kong:
In Hong Kong:
1985: Hong Kong Derby – Superior Gold
1985: Hong Kong Derby – Superior Gold