Graeme Roe
By 1978. Graeme Roe, 40 years old and the boss of swish London advertising agency Golley, Slater, Roe, had never sat on a horse in his life, so it was rather odd when one morning he announced to his stunned family that he wanted to be a jockey.
By 1978. Graeme Roe, 40 years old and the boss of swish London advertising agency Golley, Slater, Roe, had never sat on a horse in his life, so it was rather odd when one morning he announced to his stunned family that he wanted to be a jockey.
Five years later, Graeme not only owned several horses but had his own training licence on his beautiful Cotswold farm. And, yes, he had become an amateur jockey.
Five years later, Graeme not only owned several horses but had his own training licence on his beautiful Cotswold farm. And, yes, he had become an amateur jockey.
'I just got caught up in the sport and wanted to participate a little more,' he explained. 'I started taking riding lessons wife my wife Jean and was soon riding over the hurdles.' She watched him on television having a crack with Silmira at the 1983 Waterford Crystal Hurdle. The mare ran well for a long way but had no chance of winning.
'I just got caught up in the sport and wanted to participate a little more,' he explained. 'I started taking riding lessons wife my wife Jean and was soon riding over the hurdles.' She watched him on television having a crack with Silmira at the 1983 Waterford Crystal Hurdle. The mare ran well for a long way but had no chance of winning.
Perhaps Graeme's greatest win came at Ayr in 1983 when he took the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cup for amateur riders aboard his own Don Perignon.
Perhaps Graeme's greatest win came at Ayr in 1983 when he took the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cup for amateur riders aboard his own Don Perignon.
For Graeme, born on 15 August 1935, life really did begin at 40!
For Graeme, born on 15 August 1935, life really did begin at 40!
