Graham Sexton
1948 - 2006
1948 - 2006
Graham Charles Sexton was born in Warwick on March 15, 1948, the son of work rider Charles Sexton, who was apprenticed to George Lambton and became a trial jockey for Frank Butters.
Graham Charles Sexton was born in Warwick on March 15, 1948, the son of work rider Charles Sexton, who was apprenticed to George Lambton and became a trial jockey for Frank Butters.
George was apprenticed to Harry Wragg between 1963 and 1968 and stayed at 66 Edinburgh Road, Newmarket during that time.
George was apprenticed to Harry Wragg between 1963 and 1968 and stayed at 66 Edinburgh Road, Newmarket during that time.
His first win came on Calisto at Wolverhampton on April 11 1966 and, while still an apprentice, rode Regal Light to win the next year's Royal Hunt Cup.
His first win came on Calisto at Wolverhampton on April 11 1966 and, while still an apprentice, rode Regal Light to win the next year's Royal Hunt Cup.
His first pattern win came on the Pat Haslam-trained Godstone in the 1983 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood (awarded the race on the disqualification of Varcame).
His first pattern win came on the Pat Haslam-trained Godstone in the 1983 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood (awarded the race on the disqualification of Varcame).
Other good wins came on Salvo (Newbury Autumn Cup) and Little Wolf (1981 Scottish Derby).
Other good wins came on Salvo (Newbury Autumn Cup) and Little Wolf (1981 Scottish Derby).
Graham Sexton rode a winner on every course in Britain.
Graham Sexton rode a winner on every course in Britain.
He rode in Australia and India before retiring in 1990.
He rode in Australia and India before retiring in 1990.
He then became work rider for Newmarket trainer Geoff Wragg until a fall in 2004 punctured a lung and broke his pelvis. This put an end to his riding days.
He then became work rider for Newmarket trainer Geoff Wragg until a fall in 2004 punctured a lung and broke his pelvis. This put an end to his riding days.
Graham listed his hobbies as watching television, fishing and pottering around the house. He named Newbury as his favourite racecourse.
Graham listed his hobbies as watching television, fishing and pottering around the house. He named Newbury as his favourite racecourse.
On Monday, 24 July, 2006, Graham Sexton was found dead at his Newmarket home. The 58 year old was discovered by his partner Maureen in the hallway of their home in Jarvis Way.
On Monday, 24 July, 2006, Graham Sexton was found dead at his Newmarket home. The 58 year old was discovered by his partner Maureen in the hallway of their home in Jarvis Way.
He had been ill over the weekend with a stomach problem and she left him on Sunday evening to go up to bed. He was dead when she came down the next morning.
He had been ill over the weekend with a stomach problem and she left him on Sunday evening to go up to bed. He was dead when she came down the next morning.
A post-mortem examination followed.
A post-mortem examination followed.
His funeral took place at Newmarket's cemetery chapel on Thursday August 3.
His funeral took place at Newmarket's cemetery chapel on Thursday August 3.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1966: Newbury Autumn Cup – Salvo
1966: Newbury Autumn Cup – Salvo
1967: Royal Hunt Cup – Regal Light
1967: Royal Hunt Cup – Regal Light
1967: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Gemini Six
1967: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Gemini Six
1970: November Handicap – Saraceno
1970: November Handicap – Saraceno
1981: Scottish Derby – Little Wolf
1981: Scottish Derby – Little Wolf
1981: St Simon Stakes – Little Wolf
1981: St Simon Stakes – Little Wolf
1983: Richmond Stakes – Godstone
1983: Richmond Stakes – Godstone