Terry Sturrock
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Terrance Thomas Sturrock was born at Staines, Middlesex, on February 24, 1946, and was apprenticed to Doug Marks from 1961 to 1968, following which he rode as a freelance until 1984.
Terrance Thomas Sturrock was born at Staines, Middlesex, on February 24, 1946, and was apprenticed to Doug Marks from 1961 to 1968, following which he rode as a freelance until 1984.
He rode his first winner on Chu-Teh – who went on to become a successful steeplechaser and ran in the 1968 Grand National – in the two-mile Charlecote Handicap at Birmingham on June 4, 1963.
He rode his first winner on Chu-Teh – who went on to become a successful steeplechaser and ran in the 1968 Grand National – in the two-mile Charlecote Handicap at Birmingham on June 4, 1963.
The undoubted highlight of his career was winning the 1968 Stewards’ Cup on Sky Diver, but it almost didn’t happen – for two reasons. He admits to dropping his hands in the final strides and it was only by a short-head that Sky Diver scraped home from fellow apprentice Richard Dicey’s mount Spaniards Inn in a pulsating finish that saw the first six horses separated by less than a length, the distances being a short head, a neck, a short-head, a head and a neck.
The undoubted highlight of his career was winning the 1968 Stewards’ Cup on Sky Diver, but it almost didn’t happen – for two reasons. He admits to dropping his hands in the final strides and it was only by a short-head that Sky Diver scraped home from fellow apprentice Richard Dicey’s mount Spaniards Inn in a pulsating finish that saw the first six horses separated by less than a length, the distances being a short head, a neck, a short-head, a head and a neck.
But the winning post wasn’t the only thing that came just in time. His seven-year apprenticeship to Doug Marks had finished in June and it was only the trainer’s insistence that he signed up for another two months that rendered him eligible to claim the 5lb allowance.
But the winning post wasn’t the only thing that came just in time. His seven-year apprenticeship to Doug Marks had finished in June and it was only the trainer’s insistence that he signed up for another two months that rendered him eligible to claim the 5lb allowance.
Sky Diver, which was retired immediately after the race, remains the only horse to have won two Stewards’ Cups.
Sky Diver, which was retired immediately after the race, remains the only horse to have won two Stewards’ Cups.
When Terry came out of his time, he joined Peter Walwyn as second jockey to Duncan Keith. He then moved to Ireland, riding for Willie Robinson, John Oxx and Paddy Prendergast Junior. It was there that he met his wife, Maria.
When Terry came out of his time, he joined Peter Walwyn as second jockey to Duncan Keith. He then moved to Ireland, riding for Willie Robinson, John Oxx and Paddy Prendergast Junior. It was there that he met his wife, Maria.
He came back to England and ran a pub in Wandsworth for three years. He then spent another two years in Austria, riding for a trainer who insisted on wearing black leather gloves when feeling a horse’s legs, because he assembled computers during the day and didn’t want to risk damaging his hands!
He came back to England and ran a pub in Wandsworth for three years. He then spent another two years in Austria, riding for a trainer who insisted on wearing black leather gloves when feeling a horse’s legs, because he assembled computers during the day and didn’t want to risk damaging his hands!
Terry joined Barry Hills as a work rider in 1982 and rode that season’s Lockinge winner Motavato in all his work. Other Group 1 winners he has partnered on the gallops included Cormorant Wood, Moonax, Royal Applause and Distant Music.
Terry joined Barry Hills as a work rider in 1982 and rode that season’s Lockinge winner Motavato in all his work. Other Group 1 winners he has partnered on the gallops included Cormorant Wood, Moonax, Royal Applause and Distant Music.
But that came to a bone-crunching halt in October 2001 when riding Hills’ three-year-old Indian File. They were crossing the Farringdon road between gallops when a speeding car ran straight into them, Terry punctured a lung, broke a collarbone and cracked three ribs. The horse was fatally injured.
But that came to a bone-crunching halt in October 2001 when riding Hills’ three-year-old Indian File. They were crossing the Farringdon road between gallops when a speeding car ran straight into them, Terry punctured a lung, broke a collarbone and cracked three ribs. The horse was fatally injured.
Terry was awarded £115,000 damages in 2005.
Terry was awarded £115,000 damages in 2005.