Brian Swift
1937 - 1985
1937 - 1985
Born in London on January 11, 1937, Brian Charles Swift was the son of Jack Swift, a well-known bookmaker.
Born in London on January 11, 1937, Brian Charles Swift was the son of Jack Swift, a well-known bookmaker.
He rode for nine years between 1951 and 1961 (freelance) and booted home some 200 winners, the first of which was My Cross at Epsom in 1951.
He rode for nine years between 1951 and 1961 (freelance) and booted home some 200 winners, the first of which was My Cross at Epsom in 1951.
Big wins included Golden Lion in the 1954 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, the New Stakes and the Prix d'Arenberg which, he said later, was the highlight of his career in the saddle.
Big wins included Golden Lion in the 1954 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, the New Stakes and the Prix d'Arenberg which, he said later, was the highlight of his career in the saddle.
Two great horses he rode were the brilliantly fast Skindles Hotel and Heswall Honey.
Two great horses he rode were the brilliantly fast Skindles Hotel and Heswall Honey.
Brian's heart, however, was always in training and, having assisted the Epsom trainer Staff Ingham for 18 months, set up on his own in 1967. He made his name training two-year-olds such as Tribal Chief and Decoy Boy.
Brian's heart, however, was always in training and, having assisted the Epsom trainer Staff Ingham for 18 months, set up on his own in 1967. He made his name training two-year-olds such as Tribal Chief and Decoy Boy.
Big wins included Ahonoora (Stewards' Cup), The Hertford (Lincoln Handicap) and Primo Dominie (Coventry Stakes).
Big wins included Ahonoora (Stewards' Cup), The Hertford (Lincoln Handicap) and Primo Dominie (Coventry Stakes).
Brian gave his recreations as 'golf, and eating in good restaurants'.
Brian gave his recreations as 'golf, and eating in good restaurants'.
On 17 February, 1985, Brian died of a heart attack. He left £649,223.
On 17 February, 1985, Brian died of a heart attack. He left £649,223.
He left a widow, Sylvia, who briefly ran the stable briefly before ex-jockey Geoff Lewis took over.
He left a widow, Sylvia, who briefly ran the stable briefly before ex-jockey Geoff Lewis took over.
Brian Swift's stables - Loretta Lodge - were named after his first wife.
Brian Swift's stables - Loretta Lodge - were named after his first wife.
Loretta, daughter of Scobie Breasley, gave Brian three children, but the marriage was dissolved in the late seventies. His son, Jason Charles, became a jockey.
Loretta, daughter of Scobie Breasley, gave Brian three children, but the marriage was dissolved in the late seventies. His son, Jason Charles, became a jockey.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1954: City of Birmingham Cup – Tuppeny Fare
1954: City of Birmingham Cup – Tuppeny Fare
1954: King’s Stand Stakes – Golden Lion
1954: King’s Stand Stakes – Golden Lion
1956: New (Norfolk) Stakes – Skindles Hotel
1956: New (Norfolk) Stakes – Skindles Hotel
1957: White Rose Stakes – Heswall Honey
1957: White Rose Stakes – Heswall Honey
In France
In France
1956: Prix D’Aranberg – Skindles Hotel
1956: Prix D’Aranberg – Skindles Hotel