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Derek Sparkes
Derek Sparkes
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Derek Sparkes had one win under National Hunt rules. It came on just his second ride, his first having been at Worcester on October 6, 1965, when finishing fifth on Palomides, trained by Charles Jordan at Droitwich and owned by his wife, in the Abberley Handicap Hurdle (Division 2), carrying 6lb overweight.
Derek Sparkes had one win under National Hunt rules. It came on just his second ride, his first having been at Worcester on October 6, 1965, when finishing fifth on Palomides, trained by Charles Jordan at Droitwich and owned by his wife, in the Abberley Handicap Hurdle (Division 2), carrying 6lb overweight.
Derek was reunited with Palomides 24 days later at another Worcester meeting, and this time the partnership did much better, drawing clear at the final hurdle at winning the Evesham Handicap Hurdle by two and a half lengths.
Derek was reunited with Palomides 24 days later at another Worcester meeting, and this time the partnership did much better, drawing clear at the final hurdle at winning the Evesham Handicap Hurdle by two and a half lengths.
Having ridden a winner at the second attempt, Derek might have been forgiven for thinking he was on the brink of a fruitful career. However, he rode Palomides on all but one of his seven subsequent starts that season and only managed one fourth place. Moreover, although he continued to ride for five more years, he never again visited the winner’s enclosure.
Having ridden a winner at the second attempt, Derek might have been forgiven for thinking he was on the brink of a fruitful career. However, he rode Palomides on all but one of his seven subsequent starts that season and only managed one fourth place. Moreover, although he continued to ride for five more years, he never again visited the winner’s enclosure.
His last ride, Palladio, finished eighth of 16 runners in the May Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) at Uttoxeter on May 14, 1970. Tellingly, he had to put up a pound overweight to ride at 11 stone that day, so his career was clearly compromised by struggles with his weight.
His last ride, Palladio, finished eighth of 16 runners in the May Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) at Uttoxeter on May 14, 1970. Tellingly, he had to put up a pound overweight to ride at 11 stone that day, so his career was clearly compromised by struggles with his weight.
Derek Sparkes' only winner, Palomides
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