Harry Simpson
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Monday afternoons at Alexandra Park were not usually the province of valuable handicaps, especially for apprentice jockeys. But on April 22, 1963, London restaurateur Bernard Walsh put up £1,000 for the inaugural running of the Wheeler’s Little Fish Apprentices’ Handicap over one mile and 160 yards. ‘Uncle Bernard’, as he was popularly known, said he wanted “to give the boys the encouragement they deserve.”
Monday afternoons at Alexandra Park were not usually the province of valuable handicaps, especially for apprentice jockeys. But on April 22, 1963, London restaurateur Bernard Walsh put up £1,000 for the inaugural running of the Wheeler’s Little Fish Apprentices’ Handicap over one mile and 160 yards. ‘Uncle Bernard’, as he was popularly known, said he wanted “to give the boys the encouragement they deserve.”
The race attracted a large field, by Alexandra Park’s standards, of 21 runners. There were many who were sceptical of the outcome with 21 comparatively inexperienced riders doing battle on the notoriously tricky North London ‘frying pan’ track, but the apprentices covered themselves with glory. They got some expert advice from the starter, Major Pat Ness, who called them into line before mounting his rostrum.
The race attracted a large field, by Alexandra Park’s standards, of 21 runners. There were many who were sceptical of the outcome with 21 comparatively inexperienced riders doing battle on the notoriously tricky North London ‘frying pan’ track, but the apprentices covered themselves with glory. They got some expert advice from the starter, Major Pat Ness, who called them into line before mounting his rostrum.
With the exception of one runner, Evyans Golden Shadows, who was a little slowly into stride, the field got off to a fine start. Confirmed front runner Ravello, partnered by Jimmy Tulloch, went on, and turned into the straight with a two lengths lead. With a quarter of a mile to go, however, Ravello weakened and it looked as though Smogland and the 7/2 favourite Magnus were going to fight it out. But just as Magnus, ridden by Don Sainsbury, began to take the measure of Smogland (Terry Sturrock), 18-year-old Harry Simpson brought 8/1 shot Bob Barker along to snatch the race in the final strides and win by a head, with the same distance separating Magnus and Smogland for second and third.
With the exception of one runner, Evyans Golden Shadows, who was a little slowly into stride, the field got off to a fine start. Confirmed front runner Ravello, partnered by Jimmy Tulloch, went on, and turned into the straight with a two lengths lead. With a quarter of a mile to go, however, Ravello weakened and it looked as though Smogland and the 7/2 favourite Magnus were going to fight it out. But just as Magnus, ridden by Don Sainsbury, began to take the measure of Smogland (Terry Sturrock), 18-year-old Harry Simpson brought 8/1 shot Bob Barker along to snatch the race in the final strides and win by a head, with the same distance separating Magnus and Smogland for second and third.
Winning rider Harry James Simpson was the son of a Rye (Sussex) farm manager. He became apprenticed to Bob Barker’s trainer Towser Gosden in 1960 and had his first ride in public on Bob Barker in the 1962 Rosebery Handicap at Kempton on Easter Saturday, finishing a creditable third behind Damredub, the mount of Derek Morris.
Winning rider Harry James Simpson was the son of a Rye (Sussex) farm manager. He became apprenticed to Bob Barker’s trainer Towser Gosden in 1960 and had his first ride in public on Bob Barker in the 1962 Rosebery Handicap at Kempton on Easter Saturday, finishing a creditable third behind Damredub, the mount of Derek Morris.
Harry rode his first winner on Towser Gosden’s filly Marchella in the simply-titled Apprentice Handicap at Hurst Park on July 27, 1962. His second, also for Gosden, came later that year on March Rose at Manchester’s end of season fixture on November 8, Bob Barker’s Alexandra Park victory was his third success.
Harry rode his first winner on Towser Gosden’s filly Marchella in the simply-titled Apprentice Handicap at Hurst Park on July 27, 1962. His second, also for Gosden, came later that year on March Rose at Manchester’s end of season fixture on November 8, Bob Barker’s Alexandra Park victory was his third success.
After the race, Bernard Walsh presented the first three jockeys with gift vouchers, which Harry opened to find he could exchange “for one racing whip, with gold band, inscribed with his name and the name of his mount.” Sainsbury and Sturrock both received similar vouchers for silver banded whips.
After the race, Bernard Walsh presented the first three jockeys with gift vouchers, which Harry opened to find he could exchange “for one racing whip, with gold band, inscribed with his name and the name of his mount.” Sainsbury and Sturrock both received similar vouchers for silver banded whips.
Alas, for two of those three apprentices it did not prove a springboard for future success. Quite the reverse, in fact. Harry Simpson never rode another winner and relinquished his licence later that year, while Don Sainsbury’s career was effectively ended when he broke a leg in a fall at Windsor.
Alas, for two of those three apprentices it did not prove a springboard for future success. Quite the reverse, in fact. Harry Simpson never rode another winner and relinquished his licence later that year, while Don Sainsbury’s career was effectively ended when he broke a leg in a fall at Windsor.
Donald Arthur Sainsbury was apprenticed to Ron Smyth at Epsom, but it was for West Horsley trainer Ted Goddard that he’d ridden his first winner, Colewort in the Young Entry Apprentice Handicap at Ascot on October 12, 1962.
Donald Arthur Sainsbury was apprenticed to Ron Smyth at Epsom, but it was for West Horsley trainer Ted Goddard that he’d ridden his first winner, Colewort in the Young Entry Apprentice Handicap at Ascot on October 12, 1962.
Barely a fortnight after finishing second on Magnus (left) in the ‘Wheeler’s Little Fish’ at ‘Ally Pally’, he gained a measure of compensation by winning another of Bernard Walsh’s sponsored races, the Wheeler’s Review Apprentice Maiden Handicap at Bath on May 8, on Ron Smyth’s Minehead Camp, owned by holiday camp supremo Billy Butlin.
Barely a fortnight after finishing second on Magnus (left) in the ‘Wheeler’s Little Fish’ at ‘Ally Pally’, he gained a measure of compensation by winning another of Bernard Walsh’s sponsored races, the Wheeler’s Review Apprentice Maiden Handicap at Bath on May 8, on Ron Smyth’s Minehead Camp, owned by holiday camp supremo Billy Butlin.
He then rode Magnus to victory in the Polar Jest Apprentice Handicap at Newbury on June 26.
He then rode Magnus to victory in the Polar Jest Apprentice Handicap at Newbury on June 26.
However, the 18-year-old apprentice’s season came to a crashing end when he was unseated by Spartan General two and a half furlongs from home in the Montrose Handicap at Windsor on September 12, 1963, which resulted in him being taken to hospital with a broken leg. As with Harry Simpson, Don Sainsbury never rode another winner.
However, the 18-year-old apprentice’s season came to a crashing end when he was unseated by Spartan General two and a half furlongs from home in the Montrose Handicap at Windsor on September 12, 1963, which resulted in him being taken to hospital with a broken leg. As with Harry Simpson, Don Sainsbury never rode another winner.
Terry Sturrock fared easily the best of the trio, going on to forge a successful career in the saddle at home and abroad, highlighted by the victory of Sky Diver in the 1968 Stewards Cup.
Terry Sturrock fared easily the best of the trio, going on to forge a successful career in the saddle at home and abroad, highlighted by the victory of Sky Diver in the 1968 Stewards Cup.
Meanwhile, Bernard Walsh continued to sponsor the Wheeler’s Little Fish Apprentices’ Handicap for the remainder of Alexandra Park’s existence. The last running was in April 1969; the 1970 renewal was abandoned due to a waterlogged course, with ‘Ally Pally’ disappearing from the fixture list at the end of that year.
Meanwhile, Bernard Walsh continued to sponsor the Wheeler’s Little Fish Apprentices’ Handicap for the remainder of Alexandra Park’s existence. The last running was in April 1969; the 1970 renewal was abandoned due to a waterlogged course, with ‘Ally Pally’ disappearing from the fixture list at the end of that year.
Alexandra Park, 22 April 1963. Harry Simpson, 18, on Bob Barker beats Magnus (right) by a head with Smogland third in the inaugural running of the Wheeler's Little Fish Apprentices' Handicap.