Dick Saunders
1933 - 2002
1933 - 2002
Charles Richard Saunders (Dick), born at Harlestone on 28 July 1933, became the oldest jockey to win the Grand National when, as a 48-year-old amateur, he piloted Grittar to victory at Aintree in 1982; at the same time he became the first member of the Jockey Club to ride the winner of the race.
Charles Richard Saunders (Dick), born at Harlestone on 28 July 1933, became the oldest jockey to win the Grand National when, as a 48-year-old amateur, he piloted Grittar to victory at Aintree in 1982; at the same time he became the first member of the Jockey Club to ride the winner of the race.
Despite his relative antiquity, Saunders attracted plenty of support from the public, who sent off Grittar the 7-1 clear favourite in a field of 39. After the race, Saunders remarked that, while the Aintree fences had held no fears for him, he had been concerned about being brought down or unseated while carrying an estimated £30 million of punters' money.
Despite his relative antiquity, Saunders attracted plenty of support from the public, who sent off Grittar the 7-1 clear favourite in a field of 39. After the race, Saunders remarked that, while the Aintree fences had held no fears for him, he had been concerned about being brought down or unseated while carrying an estimated £30 million of punters' money.
There was, as is often the case in the National, an element of luck. Thirty-one of the 39 runners failed to complete the course. No fewer than 10 horses fell or were brought down in the worst pile-up at the first fence since 1951; among the casualties here was Aldaniti, which had won the race in the previous year under Bob Champion.
There was, as is often the case in the National, an element of luck. Thirty-one of the 39 runners failed to complete the course. No fewer than 10 horses fell or were brought down in the worst pile-up at the first fence since 1951; among the casualties here was Aldaniti, which had won the race in the previous year under Bob Champion.
Saunders, by contrast, had an almost trouble-free ride, taking the inside route by the rail. Apart from getting too close to one fence, and jumping too high at the last, Saunders reported no problems. By the time he and Grittar reached the second-last, only a fall could have denied them victory; Saunders never needed even to pick up his whip. Grittar won by 15 lengths, the first clear favourite to take the world's most famous steeplechase since Merryman II in 1960. (The 1982 Grand National was also remarkable for the performance of Geraldine Rees who, by finishing eighth and last on Cheers, became the first lady to complete the course.)
Saunders, by contrast, had an almost trouble-free ride, taking the inside route by the rail. Apart from getting too close to one fence, and jumping too high at the last, Saunders reported no problems. By the time he and Grittar reached the second-last, only a fall could have denied them victory; Saunders never needed even to pick up his whip. Grittar won by 15 lengths, the first clear favourite to take the world's most famous steeplechase since Merryman II in 1960. (The 1982 Grand National was also remarkable for the performance of Geraldine Rees who, by finishing eighth and last on Cheers, became the first lady to complete the course.)
After the race, Saunders' brother Bill was on his way to the winner's enclosure when he encountered the jockey's wife, Pam. She told him: "That was Dick's last race - he promised me he would retire after this. I'm so relieved he came through it whole." Saunders indeed announced his immediate retirement; he had ridden more than 100 winners.
After the race, Saunders' brother Bill was on his way to the winner's enclosure when he encountered the jockey's wife, Pam. She told him: "That was Dick's last race - he promised me he would retire after this. I'm so relieved he came through it whole." Saunders indeed announced his immediate retirement; he had ridden more than 100 winners.
Dick Saunders jumping the last fence on Grittar in the 1982 Grand National.
Dick Saunders jumping the last fence on Grittar in the 1982 Grand National.
Charles Richard Saunders (always known as Dick) was at Harlestone, near Northampton, where his family had farmed for generations. He was educated at Northampton Grammar School but, anxious to begin serious work on the family farm, left school within days of reaching his 16th birthday; he did not bother to sit the exam for his School Certificate.
Charles Richard Saunders (always known as Dick) was at Harlestone, near Northampton, where his family had farmed for generations. He was educated at Northampton Grammar School but, anxious to begin serious work on the family farm, left school within days of reaching his 16th birthday; he did not bother to sit the exam for his School Certificate.
Encouraged by his mother, Dick had learned to ride almost as soon as he could walk. At the age of five, one day he rode home 10 miles from hunting. From the very first he was fiercely competitive.
Encouraged by his mother, Dick had learned to ride almost as soon as he could walk. At the age of five, one day he rode home 10 miles from hunting. From the very first he was fiercely competitive.
Aged 17, he began riding in point-to-points, in which he was highly successful. But any thoughts of a racing career would have been vitiated by a prohibitive gain in weight; in any case, in his twenties Saunders was too busy building up his farm in the Midlands. Indeed, he did not begin serious race-riding until he was 32, when some jockeys might be starting to consider hanging up their boots. The occasion came one day in 1966 when, unable to obtain the services of Terry Biddlecombe to ride a horse belonging to his (Dick's) mother, Saunders wondered: "Why not do it yourself?"
Aged 17, he began riding in point-to-points, in which he was highly successful. But any thoughts of a racing career would have been vitiated by a prohibitive gain in weight; in any case, in his twenties Saunders was too busy building up his farm in the Midlands. Indeed, he did not begin serious race-riding until he was 32, when some jockeys might be starting to consider hanging up their boots. The occasion came one day in 1966 when, unable to obtain the services of Terry Biddlecombe to ride a horse belonging to his (Dick's) mother, Saunders wondered: "Why not do it yourself?"
When asked by the stewards of the Jockey Club, who were seeking to confirm his amateur status, how he earned his living, Saunders replied: "By farming." A cautious racing official - aware that "farming" could cover anything from a kitchen garden upwards - prompted the senior licensing steward, who happened to be the Duke of Devonshire, to ask: "Yes, Mr Saunders, but how much do you farm?" The Duke has since admitted the embarrassment he felt when Saunders answered: "Three thousand acres."
When asked by the stewards of the Jockey Club, who were seeking to confirm his amateur status, how he earned his living, Saunders replied: "By farming." A cautious racing official - aware that "farming" could cover anything from a kitchen garden upwards - prompted the senior licensing steward, who happened to be the Duke of Devonshire, to ask: "Yes, Mr Saunders, but how much do you farm?" The Duke has since admitted the embarrassment he felt when Saunders answered: "Three thousand acres."
Saunders was elected to the Jockey Club in 1981, and later served as chairman of its Licensing Committee. He was a racecourse steward for more than 20 years, officiating at seven courses, including Newmarket and Aintree.
Saunders was elected to the Jockey Club in 1981, and later served as chairman of its Licensing Committee. He was a racecourse steward for more than 20 years, officiating at seven courses, including Newmarket and Aintree.
As Chairman of the Aintree stewards' panel for the Grand National meeting, he was presiding last year when the decision was taken to go ahead with the race despite the appalling state of the ground, which was a quagmire.
As Chairman of the Aintree stewards' panel for the Grand National meeting, he was presiding last year when the decision was taken to go ahead with the race despite the appalling state of the ground, which was a quagmire.
In 1982 Saunders was appointed a trustee of the Injured Jockeys Fund. The following year he was elected to the organising committee of the Burghley Horse Trials as chief cross-country steward. He immediately made his mark by taking the unprecedented step of banning the judges and his fellow stewards from drinking on the job. He explained: "I don't want you to turn your car boots into cocktail cabinets. It looks so unprofessional, especially in front of Princess Anne."
In 1982 Saunders was appointed a trustee of the Injured Jockeys Fund. The following year he was elected to the organising committee of the Burghley Horse Trials as chief cross-country steward. He immediately made his mark by taking the unprecedented step of banning the judges and his fellow stewards from drinking on the job. He explained: "I don't want you to turn your car boots into cocktail cabinets. It looks so unprofessional, especially in front of Princess Anne."
Saunders, who farmed his 3,000 acres near Northampton, enjoyed a long association with the Pytchley Hunt in Northamptonshire and Leicestershire; he was Joint Master from 1977 to 1984, and also served as chairman of the Hunt and of its point-to-point committee; last year he was made "President Emeritus".
Saunders, who farmed his 3,000 acres near Northampton, enjoyed a long association with the Pytchley Hunt in Northamptonshire and Leicestershire; he was Joint Master from 1977 to 1984, and also served as chairman of the Hunt and of its point-to-point committee; last year he was made "President Emeritus".
He married, in 1956.
He married, in 1956.
Dick Saunders died on 24 January, 2002. His wife, Pam Lucas, survived him with their twins, Toby, and Caroline Bailey, the point-to-point trainer.
Dick Saunders died on 24 January, 2002. His wife, Pam Lucas, survived him with their twins, Toby, and Caroline Bailey, the point-to-point trainer.
Grand National winner: Grittar (1982)
Grand National winner: Grittar (1982)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1977: National Hunt Chase – Alpenstock
1977: National Hunt Chase – Alpenstock
1981: Cheltenham Foxhunters’ Chase – Grittar
1981: Cheltenham Foxhunters’ Chase – Grittar
1981: Liverpool Fox Hunters’ Chase – Grittar
1981: Liverpool Fox Hunters’ Chase – Grittar