Clive Searle
The son of a Cheam builder, Clive John Searle was born on May 16, 1944 and was just ten when he began spending weekends and holidays helping out in Dermot ‘Boggy’ Whelan’s Epsom yard with the intention of becoming a jockey. On leaving school he became apprenticed to Whelan and had three rides on the Flat before taking out a jump jockey’s licence in the 1960/61 season.
The son of a Cheam builder, Clive John Searle was born on May 16, 1944 and was just ten when he began spending weekends and holidays helping out in Dermot ‘Boggy’ Whelan’s Epsom yard with the intention of becoming a jockey. On leaving school he became apprenticed to Whelan and had three rides on the Flat before taking out a jump jockey’s licence in the 1960/61 season.
He rode his first winner on Whelan’s selling hurdler Savic at Lingfield on January18, 1961. Savic also gave him his second win when following up at Windsor on March 2 – in fact, Savic provided him with four of his only five rides that season.
He rode his first winner on Whelan’s selling hurdler Savic at Lingfield on January18, 1961. Savic also gave him his second win when following up at Windsor on March 2 – in fact, Savic provided him with four of his only five rides that season.
It was a slow progression; there were no winners the following season, three from just 12 rides in 1962/63, none in 63/64.
It was a slow progression; there were no winners the following season, three from just 12 rides in 1962/63, none in 63/64.
Things then began to improve when he joined Aston Tirrold trainer Frank Cundell where he remained for the next six year
Things then began to improve when he joined Aston Tirrold trainer Frank Cundell where he remained for the next six year
He rode four winners from 56 mounts in 64/65, two of those coming in a double at Leicester on 11 January 1965, on Michael Pope’s novice hurdler Zend and Cundell’s chaser Brand X his first steeplechase success.
He rode four winners from 56 mounts in 64/65, two of those coming in a double at Leicester on 11 January 1965, on Michael Pope’s novice hurdler Zend and Cundell’s chaser Brand X his first steeplechase success.
Brand X was a safe as houses jumper who had finished eighth in the Grand Sefton at Aintree on his previous start when partnered by Stan Mellor.
Brand X was a safe as houses jumper who had finished eighth in the Grand Sefton at Aintree on his previous start when partnered by Stan Mellor.
Clive was arguably unlucky not to win another race that season, a novice riders’ chase at Kempton on February 5, falling at the last on Lyneham Walk when upsides the leader Regal Arch.
Clive was arguably unlucky not to win another race that season, a novice riders’ chase at Kempton on February 5, falling at the last on Lyneham Walk when upsides the leader Regal Arch.
However, he made the perfect start to the 1965/66 campaign, riding a first day double at Newton Abbot on July 31, winning the opening Professional Novice Riders’ Handicap Hurdle on Les Kennard’s Mosstime, the 3/1 favourite, and the selling hurdle on his old friend Savic, now also trained by Kennard.
However, he made the perfect start to the 1965/66 campaign, riding a first day double at Newton Abbot on July 31, winning the opening Professional Novice Riders’ Handicap Hurdle on Les Kennard’s Mosstime, the 3/1 favourite, and the selling hurdle on his old friend Savic, now also trained by Kennard.
On October 19 Clive sprang a surprise by winning a Plumpton novices’ chase on Frank Cundell-trained Battleaxe, the 20/1 outside of the nine runners. He finished that season with five winners from 59 rides.
On October 19 Clive sprang a surprise by winning a Plumpton novices’ chase on Frank Cundell-trained Battleaxe, the 20/1 outside of the nine runners. He finished that season with five winners from 59 rides.
He rode two winners in the 1966/67 season, six in 1967/68 and a career best score of seven in 1968/69, the last three of these coming in the space of 17 days in May 1969 on Cundell’s novice chaser Alcan, who scored at Worcester on May 13, Towcester on May 26 and Taunton on May 30.
He rode two winners in the 1966/67 season, six in 1967/68 and a career best score of seven in 1968/69, the last three of these coming in the space of 17 days in May 1969 on Cundell’s novice chaser Alcan, who scored at Worcester on May 13, Towcester on May 26 and Taunton on May 30.
Those were to be the last. He drew a blank in 1969/70 then went to ride abroad for a time before joining Doug Marks as assistant trainer on his return. He took out a licence again for the 1974/75 and 75/76 campaigns but failed to add to his career total of 29 winners.
Those were to be the last. He drew a blank in 1969/70 then went to ride abroad for a time before joining Doug Marks as assistant trainer on his return. He took out a licence again for the 1974/75 and 75/76 campaigns but failed to add to his career total of 29 winners.
Clive Searle died in August 2004, aged 60. A race, the Clive Searle Lifetime In Racing Intermediate Open NH Flat race was run in his memory at Fakenham on Friday October 20, 2006.
Clive Searle died in August 2004, aged 60. A race, the Clive Searle Lifetime In Racing Intermediate Open NH Flat race was run in his memory at Fakenham on Friday October 20, 2006.