Simon Sherwood
When Simon and his brother Oliver were small, Oliver playfully picked up a shotgun and, believing it to be empty, fired it at Simon.
When Simon and his brother Oliver were small, Oliver playfully picked up a shotgun and, believing it to be empty, fired it at Simon.
Bad move.
Bad move.
The gun was loaded. The bullet missed Simon by a hair’s breadth.
The gun was loaded. The bullet missed Simon by a hair’s breadth.
Simon Edward Harlakenden Sherwood (commonly known as Sharkey) was born on 19 March 1958 and, like his older brother, was heavily influenced by his parents, both successful point-to-point riders.
Simon Edward Harlakenden Sherwood (commonly known as Sharkey) was born on 19 March 1958 and, like his older brother, was heavily influenced by his parents, both successful point-to-point riders.
Simon rode for just eight seasons, yet amassed a total of 350 winners.
Simon rode for just eight seasons, yet amassed a total of 350 winners.
He had a quiet, nicely balanced style; a very laid-back way of riding which somehow concealed an impressive capacity to think under pressure. He will forever be associated with the legendary grey, Desert Orchid.
He had a quiet, nicely balanced style; a very laid-back way of riding which somehow concealed an impressive capacity to think under pressure. He will forever be associated with the legendary grey, Desert Orchid.
When John Francome retired in November 1985, Fred Winter told him that it would a very long time to replace him. In fact, it took less than a week before Simon found himself as number one jockey for the stable.
When John Francome retired in November 1985, Fred Winter told him that it would a very long time to replace him. In fact, it took less than a week before Simon found himself as number one jockey for the stable.
A jockey needs luck in racing. Simon’s luck was certainly in on Boxing Day, 1986, when David Elsworth’s stable jockey Colin Brown was given the choice of two runners to ride in the King George at Kempton. Colin picked the second favourite, Combs Ditch, leaving Simon to ride the other – Desert Orchid.
A jockey needs luck in racing. Simon’s luck was certainly in on Boxing Day, 1986, when David Elsworth’s stable jockey Colin Brown was given the choice of two runners to ride in the King George at Kempton. Colin picked the second favourite, Combs Ditch, leaving Simon to ride the other – Desert Orchid.
That Christmas Eve, it started raining and continued doing so throughout Christmas Day. The result was that the going on Boxing Day was soggy and stamina-sapping. The trainer, David Elsworth, assured Simon in the paddock that Colin had chosen the wrong one, ordering Simon to ride Desert Orchid as if he would stay every yard.
That Christmas Eve, it started raining and continued doing so throughout Christmas Day. The result was that the going on Boxing Day was soggy and stamina-sapping. The trainer, David Elsworth, assured Simon in the paddock that Colin had chosen the wrong one, ordering Simon to ride Desert Orchid as if he would stay every yard.
Simon found that the grey was absolutely swinging over the fences so he took the lead early on, gave him a breather, then kicked on again to win by 15 lengths from Door Latch.
Simon found that the grey was absolutely swinging over the fences so he took the lead early on, gave him a breather, then kicked on again to win by 15 lengths from Door Latch.
Much to the chagrin of Colin Brown, Simon kept the ride, partnering Desert Orchid to a total of nine wins out of ten, including a memorable triumph in the 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup. They were beaten only once together, when Desert Orchid uncharacteristically fell at Aintree, three weeks after their Gold Cup victory.
Much to the chagrin of Colin Brown, Simon kept the ride, partnering Desert Orchid to a total of nine wins out of ten, including a memorable triumph in the 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup. They were beaten only once together, when Desert Orchid uncharacteristically fell at Aintree, three weeks after their Gold Cup victory.
Simon rode in four Grand Nationals: 1985 Musso (pulled up 19th), 1986 Plundering (fell 8th), 1988 Border Burg (pulled up 29th), 1989 The Thinker (3rd).
Simon rode in four Grand Nationals: 1985 Musso (pulled up 19th), 1986 Plundering (fell 8th), 1988 Border Burg (pulled up 29th), 1989 The Thinker (3rd).
Also over the Grand National fences, Simon won the 1989 John Hughes on Villierstown and was second in the same race in 1988 on Pan Arctic. He’d had his first ride over the Aintree fences in the 1984 Foxhunters', finishing seventh.
Also over the Grand National fences, Simon won the 1989 John Hughes on Villierstown and was second in the same race in 1988 on Pan Arctic. He’d had his first ride over the Aintree fences in the 1984 Foxhunters', finishing seventh.
He retired on the spur of the moment after riding a winner for his brother Oliver at Haydock in May 1989. He admitted that “a little bell had been ringing in my mind saying enough is enough”.
He retired on the spur of the moment after riding a winner for his brother Oliver at Haydock in May 1989. He admitted that “a little bell had been ringing in my mind saying enough is enough”.
On his retirement from the saddle, Simon took out a trainer’s licence and claimed a major success when winning the Triumph Hurdle in 1992 with Duke of Monmouth.
On his retirement from the saddle, Simon took out a trainer’s licence and claimed a major success when winning the Triumph Hurdle in 1992 with Duke of Monmouth.
A good start, but he couldn’t have foreseen the future.
A good start, but he couldn’t have foreseen the future.
He had invested £800,000 in Summerdown Stables, a complex which he’d had built at East Ilsley. Then a recession took hold plus the stable was hit by a virus which lasted for over two years.
He had invested £800,000 in Summerdown Stables, a complex which he’d had built at East Ilsley. Then a recession took hold plus the stable was hit by a virus which lasted for over two years.
With a wife and two children to support, Simon cut his losses. In 1996 he sold Summerdown Stables to Hughie Morrison and swapped his house for Morrison’s Lambourn House.
With a wife and two children to support, Simon cut his losses. In 1996 he sold Summerdown Stables to Hughie Morrison and swapped his house for Morrison’s Lambourn House.
He then took his 25 horses to join forces with his brother Oliver at Uplands to make up a 100-strong stable.
He then took his 25 horses to join forces with his brother Oliver at Uplands to make up a 100-strong stable.
Simon finished his training career based at a yard near Bromyard. He is now Clerk of the Course and General Manager at Ludlow Racecourse.
Simon finished his training career based at a yard near Bromyard. He is now Clerk of the Course and General Manager at Ludlow Racecourse.
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner: Desert Orchid (1989)
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner: Desert Orchid (1989)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1985: Kim Muir Memorial Chase – Glyde Court
1985: Kim Muir Memorial Chase – Glyde Court
1986: Cathcart Challenge Cup Chase – Half Free
1986: Cathcart Challenge Cup Chase – Half Free
1986: Whitbread Gold Cup – Plundering
1986: Whitbread Gold Cup – Plundering
1986: King George VI Chase – Desert Orchid
1986: King George VI Chase – Desert Orchid
1987: Sun Alliance Hurdle – The West Awake
1987: Sun Alliance Hurdle – The West Awake
1988: Sun Alliance Hurdle – Rebel Song
1988: Sun Alliance Hurdle – Rebel Song
1988: Sun Alliance Chase – The West Awake
1988: Sun Alliance Chase – The West Awake
1988: Chivas Regal Cup – Desert Orchid
1988: Chivas Regal Cup – Desert Orchid
1988: Whitbread Gold Cup – Desert Orchid
1988: Whitbread Gold Cup – Desert Orchid
1988: Terry Biddlecombe Challenge Trophy – Desert Orchid
1988: Terry Biddlecombe Challenge Trophy – Desert Orchid
1988: Fighting Fifth Hurdle – Floyd
1988: Fighting Fifth Hurdle – Floyd
1988: Tingle Creek Handicap Chase – Desert Orchid
1988: Tingle Creek Handicap Chase – Desert Orchid
1988: King George VI Chase – Desert Orchid
1988: King George VI Chase – Desert Orchid
1989: Victor Chandler Handicap Chase – Desert Orchid
1989: Victor Chandler Handicap Chase – Desert Orchid
1989: Gainsborough Handicap Chase – Desert Orchid
1989: Gainsborough Handicap Chase – Desert Orchid
1989: Game Spirit Chase – Mr Key
1989: Game Spirit Chase – Mr Key
1989: Queen Mother Champion Chase – Barnbrook Again
1989: Queen Mother Champion Chase – Barnbrook Again
1989: Topham Trophy Chase – Villierstown
1989: Topham Trophy Chase – Villierstown
1989: Scottish Champion Hurdle – Aldino
1989: Scottish Champion Hurdle – Aldino