Tony Rawlinson
1936 - 2015
1936 - 2015
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Anthony (Tony) Christopher Rawlinson was born in Dingle, Liverpool on 25 September 1936. He was a successful apprentice and fully-fledged jockey, riding a total of 258 winners on the Flat in Britain between 1953 and 1967.
Anthony (Tony) Christopher Rawlinson was born in Dingle, Liverpool on 25 September 1936. He was a successful apprentice and fully-fledged jockey, riding a total of 258 winners on the Flat in Britain between 1953 and 1967.
He was apprenticed to Dick Perryman and rode his first winner on Lepanto at Windsor on 27 May 1953. Lepanto also provided him with his first big race success less than three months later when winning the Drayton Handicap at Goodwood.
He was apprenticed to Dick Perryman and rode his first winner on Lepanto at Windsor on 27 May 1953. Lepanto also provided him with his first big race success less than three months later when winning the Drayton Handicap at Goodwood.
He enjoyed his most important victory on the Jack Fawcus-trained Courtesan in the 1960 Cheshire Oaks. That was also his most successful season with a score of 34 winners.
He enjoyed his most important victory on the Jack Fawcus-trained Courtesan in the 1960 Cheshire Oaks. That was also his most successful season with a score of 34 winners.
He rode occasionally over jumps during the 1960s, achieving his only success in that sphere on Tear Gas, also trained by Fawcus, in a Market Rasen novices’ hurdle on 16 November 1963.
He rode occasionally over jumps during the 1960s, achieving his only success in that sphere on Tear Gas, also trained by Fawcus, in a Market Rasen novices’ hurdle on 16 November 1963.
He spent much of the latter part of his career riding abroad, including in Scandinavia.
He spent much of the latter part of his career riding abroad, including in Scandinavia.
Tony, a former St Malachy's School pupil, was the eldest of 12 (10 sisters, 1 brother).
Tony, a former St Malachy's School pupil, was the eldest of 12 (10 sisters, 1 brother).
He was the father to two daughters (Helen & Carole) and one son, Tony, who became a jockey and rode winners but tragically drowned, aged 37, in a swimming accident in San Diego, California, in August 2000.
He was the father to two daughters (Helen & Carole) and one son, Tony, who became a jockey and rode winners but tragically drowned, aged 37, in a swimming accident in San Diego, California, in August 2000.
Tony's grandson Alistair is also a professional jockey.
Tony's grandson Alistair is also a professional jockey.
Anthony (Tony) Rawlinson died on Saturday, May 30, 2015, aged 78. His funeral was held at Springwood Crematorium, Garston, Liverpool, followed by interment at Allerton Cemetery.
Anthony (Tony) Rawlinson died on Saturday, May 30, 2015, aged 78. His funeral was held at Springwood Crematorium, Garston, Liverpool, followed by interment at Allerton Cemetery.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1956: Carlisle Bell – Gay Tor
1956: Carlisle Bell – Gay Tor
1956: Cumberland Plate – Surya
1956: Cumberland Plate – Surya
1958: City of Birmingham Cup – Kabale
1958: City of Birmingham Cup – Kabale
1960: Cheshire Oaks – Courtesan
1960: Cheshire Oaks – Courtesan
1961: Old Newton Cup – Menelek
1961: Old Newton Cup – Menelek