David Richardson
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Dave ‘Sparks’ Richardson enjoyed a successful career on the Flat in Britain, riding a total of 38 winners, but was far more successful in Germany.
Dave ‘Sparks’ Richardson enjoyed a successful career on the Flat in Britain, riding a total of 38 winners, but was far more successful in Germany.
David Kenneth Richardson was born on July 31, 1944, in the Denbighshire town of Flint, hence the nickname ‘Sparks’ which followed him throughout his career. He served his apprenticeship with Arthur Budgett at Whatcombe, in Berkshire, competing for rides with the stable’s other apprentice Chris Cordrey.
David Kenneth Richardson was born on July 31, 1944, in the Denbighshire town of Flint, hence the nickname ‘Sparks’ which followed him throughout his career. He served his apprenticeship with Arthur Budgett at Whatcombe, in Berkshire, competing for rides with the stable’s other apprentice Chris Cordrey.
He rode his first winner on Arthur Budgett’s filly Coffee Sugar (right) at Lingfield Park on October 4, 1961. That was his only winner of the season but he rode three the next, all for Budgett, on ten-year-old Jules at Salisbury in August and twice on Aquavit at Worcester and Wolverhampton in September. Budgett also supplied both his winners in 1963, Prime Mover in the Queen Anne’s Handicap at Windsor in April, and Bocca in a Chepstow apprentices’ race in June.
He rode his first winner on Arthur Budgett’s filly Coffee Sugar (right) at Lingfield Park on October 4, 1961. That was his only winner of the season but he rode three the next, all for Budgett, on ten-year-old Jules at Salisbury in August and twice on Aquavit at Worcester and Wolverhampton in September. Budgett also supplied both his winners in 1963, Prime Mover in the Queen Anne’s Handicap at Windsor in April, and Bocca in a Chepstow apprentices’ race in June.
It was a similar story in 1964 with all five of his winners being for Arthur Budgett, the first of them being the most valuable, when getting up close home on High Flying to collar Ron and Selly Oak in a three-way photo for the £1,000 Wheeler’s Little Fish Apprentices’ Handicap at Alexandra Park on April 13 (below). Ten days’ later he won a maiden handicap at Pontefract on Hookey.
It was a similar story in 1964 with all five of his winners being for Arthur Budgett, the first of them being the most valuable, when getting up close home on High Flying to collar Ron and Selly Oak in a three-way photo for the £1,000 Wheeler’s Little Fish Apprentices’ Handicap at Alexandra Park on April 13 (below). Ten days’ later he won a maiden handicap at Pontefract on Hookey.
His next winner was probably the best filly he ever rode, namely Windmill Girl, on whom he won a three-year-old maiden (at closing) stakes at Kempton on May 16, 1964. On her next start, partnered this time by Joe Mercer and starting at 50/1, she ran the race of her life to finish second to Homeward Bound in the Oaks. That, of course, was only the beginning of the Windmill Girl story, for when retired to stud she produced both of Arthur Budgett’s Derby winners, Blakeney and Morston.
His next winner was probably the best filly he ever rode, namely Windmill Girl, on whom he won a three-year-old maiden (at closing) stakes at Kempton on May 16, 1964. On her next start, partnered this time by Joe Mercer and starting at 50/1, she ran the race of her life to finish second to Homeward Bound in the Oaks. That, of course, was only the beginning of the Windmill Girl story, for when retired to stud she produced both of Arthur Budgett’s Derby winners, Blakeney and Morston.
Dave rode two winners in August that year, Bocca, at Chepstow and Shoulder Flash at Worcester, to complete his tally of five winners. He rode just two in 1965, both trained by Arthur Budgett, namely Marksman at Worcester in June and 33/1 complete outsider Spanish Sail, who drew clear on her racecourse debut to land the £1,500 Drawing Room Stakes for two-year-olds at Goodwood on August 28.
Dave rode two winners in August that year, Bocca, at Chepstow and Shoulder Flash at Worcester, to complete his tally of five winners. He rode just two in 1965, both trained by Arthur Budgett, namely Marksman at Worcester in June and 33/1 complete outsider Spanish Sail, who drew clear on her racecourse debut to land the £1,500 Drawing Room Stakes for two-year-olds at Goodwood on August 28.
He completed his apprenticeship in 1966 and rode as stable jockey for Kingswood, Surrey trainer Peter Dawson, notching a respectable eleven winners in 1967. He rode seven winners in 1968, all for Dawson, beginning with four-year-old Majetta in the £1,000 Thames Stakes at Ascot on April 5. Dawson’s plundering of northern two-year-old races in May saw Dave win twice on Mitsouko, at Catterick and Thirsk, and once on Milesian Sun at Beverley. His other winners that year were all in June, Tudor Sun at Warwick and twice on Merkades, who followed up his Alexandra Park success with victory in Brighton’s £1,250 Operatic Society Challenge Cup.
He completed his apprenticeship in 1966 and rode as stable jockey for Kingswood, Surrey trainer Peter Dawson, notching a respectable eleven winners in 1967. He rode seven winners in 1968, all for Dawson, beginning with four-year-old Majetta in the £1,000 Thames Stakes at Ascot on April 5. Dawson’s plundering of northern two-year-old races in May saw Dave win twice on Mitsouko, at Catterick and Thirsk, and once on Milesian Sun at Beverley. His other winners that year were all in June, Tudor Sun at Warwick and twice on Merkades, who followed up his Alexandra Park success with victory in Brighton’s £1,250 Operatic Society Challenge Cup.
His only two winners of 1969 both came on Peter Dawson’s three-year-old sprinter Royal Envoy, who scored a 25/1 shock victory over five furlongs at Sandown in April and then repeated the feat over course and distance in the £1,250 Esher Place Handicap in May. He also had the thrill of riding in that year’s Derby on Dawson’s 200/1 outsider Mitsouko. Alas, there was no fairytale outcome for they finished last of the 26 runners behind Blakeney.
His only two winners of 1969 both came on Peter Dawson’s three-year-old sprinter Royal Envoy, who scored a 25/1 shock victory over five furlongs at Sandown in April and then repeated the feat over course and distance in the £1,250 Esher Place Handicap in May. He also had the thrill of riding in that year’s Derby on Dawson’s 200/1 outsider Mitsouko. Alas, there was no fairytale outcome for they finished last of the 26 runners behind Blakeney.
‘Sparks’ rode for just one more year in Britain, 1970, partnering four winners., starting with 20/1 outsider Mowenko at Kempton’s Easter fixture for Peter Dawson. His next was another 20/1 shot, Arthur Pitt’s Claret And Blue at Goodwood’s May meeting. He then teamed up with his former boss Arthur Budgett to win on two-year-old filly Derrinda at Newbury in July.
‘Sparks’ rode for just one more year in Britain, 1970, partnering four winners., starting with 20/1 outsider Mowenko at Kempton’s Easter fixture for Peter Dawson. His next was another 20/1 shot, Arthur Pitt’s Claret And Blue at Goodwood’s May meeting. He then teamed up with his former boss Arthur Budgett to win on two-year-old filly Derrinda at Newbury in July.
He subsequently moved north and had a brief spell riding for Bill Elsey at Malton. He rode just one winner for him – the last of his career in Britain – on Rebel Prince in the historic Lanark Silver Bell Handicap on September 5, 1970.
He subsequently moved north and had a brief spell riding for Bill Elsey at Malton. He rode just one winner for him – the last of his career in Britain – on Rebel Prince in the historic Lanark Silver Bell Handicap on September 5, 1970.
Dave moved his riding gear to Germany the following year and made an immediate impact by winning the 1971 Deutsches Derby on Lauscher. He went on to become a leading jockey there during the 1970s and 80s, winning the Derby twice more, on Navarino in 1980 and Philipo in 1986, and riding as stable jockey for top trainer Arthur Paul Schlaefke, based in Cologne.
Dave moved his riding gear to Germany the following year and made an immediate impact by winning the 1971 Deutsches Derby on Lauscher. He went on to become a leading jockey there during the 1970s and 80s, winning the Derby twice more, on Navarino in 1980 and Philipo in 1986, and riding as stable jockey for top trainer Arthur Paul Schlaefke, based in Cologne.
After quitting the saddle, he began training and again proved successful, finally retiring in 2011, having spent 40 years as a jockey and trainer in Germany.
After quitting the saddle, he began training and again proved successful, finally retiring in 2011, having spent 40 years as a jockey and trainer in Germany.