Chris Read
Christopher Paul Read was a top class National Hunt jockey operating in the 1970s.
Christopher Paul Read was a top class National Hunt jockey operating in the 1970s.
Aged 32, he was told by a London specialist that he would not be granted a licence again after losing his left eye in a fall from San Patrico at Fontwell on Thursday, 1 September, 1977. This followed a five-hour operation trying to rearrange his face.
Aged 32, he was told by a London specialist that he would not be granted a licence again after losing his left eye in a fall from San Patrico at Fontwell on Thursday, 1 September, 1977. This followed a five-hour operation trying to rearrange his face.
He became a trainer of jumping horses for a short while instead.
He became a trainer of jumping horses for a short while instead.
Chris was born at Hawkhurst in Kent on June 29, 1946.
Chris was born at Hawkhurst in Kent on June 29, 1946.
He was apprenticed to Sir Cecil Boyd-Rochfort and rode his first winner, Call of the Wild, on August 9, 1965.
He was apprenticed to Sir Cecil Boyd-Rochfort and rode his first winner, Call of the Wild, on August 9, 1965.
He won on his public debut in 1965, his only winner on the Flat.
He won on his public debut in 1965, his only winner on the Flat.
He won the 1977 Topham Trophy on Churchtown Boy and, two days later, was third on Eyecatcher in the Grand National.
He won the 1977 Topham Trophy on Churchtown Boy and, two days later, was third on Eyecatcher in the Grand National.
Chris rode a total of 118 winners, including 1 on the Flat.
Chris rode a total of 118 winners, including 1 on the Flat.