Brian Taylor
1939 - 1984
1939 - 1984
photos courtesy Chris Pitt
photos courtesy Chris Pitt
Brian Taylor was born in Southend on 6 July, 1939 and trained as a carpenter. Because of his small size he decided to become a jockey and was apprenticed to Harvey Leader at Newmarket for whom he rode his first winner, Creole, at Yarmouth, in the Sandringham Apprentices' Nursery Handicap on Tuesday, September 18, 1956.
Brian Taylor was born in Southend on 6 July, 1939 and trained as a carpenter. Because of his small size he decided to become a jockey and was apprenticed to Harvey Leader at Newmarket for whom he rode his first winner, Creole, at Yarmouth, in the Sandringham Apprentices' Nursery Handicap on Tuesday, September 18, 1956.
His five-year apprenticeship expired in 1959, yet it had produced just 3 winners. Therefore, he signed on to do another three years with the stable.
His five-year apprenticeship expired in 1959, yet it had produced just 3 winners. Therefore, he signed on to do another three years with the stable.
In 1962, Brian had still not lost his allowance but was then too old to continue claiming. However, showing a remarkable faith in his ability, Leader appointed him stable jockey.
In 1962, Brian had still not lost his allowance but was then too old to continue claiming. However, showing a remarkable faith in his ability, Leader appointed him stable jockey.
Over the next nine years, Brian amply rewarded that belief.
Over the next nine years, Brian amply rewarded that belief.
Brian won the 2,000 Guineas Trial on Lucky Biscuit, the 1,000 Guineas trial on Orabella ll in 1966, the Yorkshire Oaks on Palatch in 1967 and again the next year on Exchange and the Park Hill Stakes in 1968 on Bringley.
Brian won the 2,000 Guineas Trial on Lucky Biscuit, the 1,000 Guineas trial on Orabella ll in 1966, the Yorkshire Oaks on Palatch in 1967 and again the next year on Exchange and the Park Hill Stakes in 1968 on Bringley.
Brian also rode No Mercy to win the Free Handicap in 1971, the last important race that Harvey Leader ever won.
Brian also rode No Mercy to win the Free Handicap in 1971, the last important race that Harvey Leader ever won.
When Leader retired at the end of 1971, Brian rode as a freelance for a short time before accepting a retainer from Daniel Prenn, whose horses were trained by John Winter.
When Leader retired at the end of 1971, Brian rode as a freelance for a short time before accepting a retainer from Daniel Prenn, whose horses were trained by John Winter.
In 1974, Brian won the Epsom Derby on 50/1 Snow Knight. Taking up the running at the top of the hill, Snow Knight ran on to beat Imperial and Giacometti.
In 1974, Brian won the Epsom Derby on 50/1 Snow Knight. Taking up the running at the top of the hill, Snow Knight ran on to beat Imperial and Giacometti.
The following year, Brian won both the Chester Vase and the Cesarewitch on Shantallah.
The following year, Brian won both the Chester Vase and the Cesarewitch on Shantallah.
However, it was at Ryan Price's stable at Findon where he enjoyed his most successful period. His best season came in 1976 with 108 winners.
However, it was at Ryan Price's stable at Findon where he enjoyed his most successful period. His best season came in 1976 with 108 winners.
Big wins included Gairloch (1976 Royal Lodge Stakes and the William Hill November Handicap on Gale Bridge.
Big wins included Gairloch (1976 Royal Lodge Stakes and the William Hill November Handicap on Gale Bridge.
Other trainers who regularly employed him were Jeremy Hindley and Gavin Pritchard-Gordon.
Other trainers who regularly employed him were Jeremy Hindley and Gavin Pritchard-Gordon.
Taylor's last ride in England came on August 4 1984 when he won at Newmarket on Barra Head for John Dunlop.
Taylor's last ride in England came on August 4 1984 when he won at Newmarket on Barra Head for John Dunlop.
Brian Taylor rode 1,254 winners in Britain, the highlight being his win on Snow Knight in the Epsom Derby of 1974.
Brian Taylor rode 1,254 winners in Britain, the highlight being his win on Snow Knight in the Epsom Derby of 1974.
On December 8 1984, he was thrown from his horse at the Sha Tin racecourse, Hong Kong. He died two days later in a Hong Kong hospital, aged 45.
On December 8 1984, he was thrown from his horse at the Sha Tin racecourse, Hong Kong. He died two days later in a Hong Kong hospital, aged 45.
Brian would tuck a pipe into his boot so that he could have a smoke at the start.
Brian would tuck a pipe into his boot so that he could have a smoke at the start.
Classic winner:
Classic winner:
Derby: Snow Knight (1974)
Derby: Snow Knight (1974)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1963: Dee Stakes – My Myosotis
1963: Dee Stakes – My Myosotis
1963: King George V Handicap – Master Cappelle
1963: King George V Handicap – Master Cappelle
1965: City of Birmingham Cup – Dites
1965: City of Birmingham Cup – Dites
1966: Gordon Richards Stakes – Super Sam
1966: Gordon Richards Stakes – Super Sam
1966: Lingfield Derby Trial – Black Prince II
1966: Lingfield Derby Trial – Black Prince II
1966: Musidora Stakes – Orabella II
1966: Musidora Stakes – Orabella II
1966: Temple Stakes – Polyfoto
1966: Temple Stakes – Polyfoto
1966: King George V Stakes – Polyfoto
1966: King George V Stakes – Polyfoto
1967: Musidora Stakes – Palatch
1967: Musidora Stakes – Palatch
1967: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Cease Fire
1967: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Cease Fire
1967: Falmouth Stakes – Resilience II
1967: Falmouth Stakes – Resilience II
1967: Northern Goldsmith’s Handicap – Resilience II
1967: Northern Goldsmith’s Handicap – Resilience II
1967: Yorkshire Oaks – Palatch
1967: Yorkshire Oaks – Palatch
1968: Victoria Cup – Rome
1968: Victoria Cup – Rome
1968: Musidora Stakes – Exchange
1968: Musidora Stakes – Exchange
1968: Dante Stakes – Lucky Finish
1968: Dante Stakes – Lucky Finish
1968: Lancashire Oaks – Bringley
1968: Lancashire Oaks – Bringley
1968: Goodwood Stakes – Acharacle
1968: Goodwood Stakes – Acharacle
1968: Goodwood Cup – Ovaltine
1968: Goodwood Cup – Ovaltine
1968: Geoffrey Freer Stakes – Levmoss
1968: Geoffrey Freer Stakes – Levmoss
1968: Yorkshire Oaks – Exchange
1968: Yorkshire Oaks – Exchange
1968: Park Hill Stakes – Bringley
1968: Park Hill Stakes – Bringley
1970: Jockey Club Stakes – Queen of Twilight
1970: Jockey Club Stakes – Queen of Twilight
1970: Queen Mary Stakes – Cawston’s Pride
1970: Queen Mary Stakes – Cawston’s Pride
1970: Molecomb Stakes – Cawston’s Pride
1970: Molecomb Stakes – Cawston’s Pride
1970: Lowther Stakes – Cawston’s Pride
1970: Lowther Stakes – Cawston’s Pride
1970: Cornwallis Stakes – Cawston’s Pride
1970: Cornwallis Stakes – Cawston’s Pride
1970: Diadem Stakes – Realm
1970: Diadem Stakes – Realm
1970: Challenge Stakes – Realm
1970: Challenge Stakes – Realm
1971: Free Handicap – No Mercy
1971: Free Handicap – No Mercy
1971: Extel Handicap – Spoiled Lad
1971: Extel Handicap – Spoiled Lad
1971: Yorkshire Cup – Alto Volante
1971: Yorkshire Cup – Alto Volante
1971: Falmouth Stakes – Favoletta
1971: Falmouth Stakes – Favoletta
1971: July Cup – Realm
1971: July Cup – Realm
1972: Chester Vase – Ormindo
1972: Chester Vase – Ormindo
1973: Ormonde Stakes – Ormindo
1973: Ormonde Stakes – Ormindo
1973: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Syrona
1973: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Syrona
1973: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Balliol
1973: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Balliol
1973: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Celestial Dawn
1973: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Celestial Dawn
1973: Princess Margaret Stakes – Celestial Dawn
1973: Princess Margaret Stakes – Celestial Dawn
1973: St Simon Stakes – Ballyhot
1973: St Simon Stakes – Ballyhot
1974: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Riboreen
1974: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Riboreen
1974: Temple Stakes – Bay Express
1974: Temple Stakes – Bay Express
1974: Queen Anne Stakes – Brook
1974: Queen Anne Stakes – Brook
1974: St James’s Palace Stakes – Averof
1974: St James’s Palace Stakes – Averof
1974: King’s Stand Stakes – Bay Express
1974: King’s Stand Stakes – Bay Express
1975: Chester Vase – Shantallah
1975: Chester Vase – Shantallah
1975: Brigadier Gerard Stakes – Rymer
1975: Brigadier Gerard Stakes – Rymer
1975: Hungerford Stakes – Court Chad
1975: Hungerford Stakes – Court Chad
1975: Cesarewitch Handicap – Shantallah
1975: Cesarewitch Handicap – Shantallah
1976: Chester Vase – Old Bill
1976: Chester Vase – Old Bill
1976: Queen Anne Stakes – Ardoon
1976: Queen Anne Stakes – Ardoon
1976: King Edward VII Stakes – Marquis de Sade
1976: King Edward VII Stakes – Marquis de Sade
1976: Hungerford Stakes – Ardoon
1976: Hungerford Stakes – Ardoon
1976: Lowther Stakes – Icena
1976: Lowther Stakes – Icena
1976: Royal Lodge Stakes – Gairloch
1976: Royal Lodge Stakes – Gairloch
1976: November Handicap – Gale Bridge
1976: November Handicap – Gale Bridge
1977: Earl of Sefton Stakes – Heaven Knows
1977: Earl of Sefton Stakes – Heaven Knows
1977: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Lucent
1977: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Lucent
1977: Victoria Cup – Duke Ellington
1977: Victoria Cup – Duke Ellington
1977: Brigadier Gerard Stakes – Jellaby
1977: Brigadier Gerard Stakes – Jellaby
1977: Queen Anne Stakes – Jellaby
1977: Queen Anne Stakes – Jellaby
1978: Sandown Classic Trial – Whitstead
1978: Sandown Classic Trial – Whitstead
1978: Lingfield Derby Trial – Whitstead
1978: Lingfield Derby Trial – Whitstead
1978: Coventry Stakes – Lake City
1978: Coventry Stakes – Lake City
1978: Great Voltigeur Stakes – Whitstead
1978: Great Voltigeur Stakes – Whitstead
1978: St Simon Stakes – Obraztosvy
1978: St Simon Stakes – Obraztosvy
1979: Jockey Club Stakes – Obraztosvy
1979: Jockey Club Stakes – Obraztosvy
1979: Coventry Stakes – Varingo
1979: Coventry Stakes – Varingo
1979: Norfolk Stakes – Romeo Romani
1979: Norfolk Stakes – Romeo Romani
1979: Hardwicke Stakes – Obraztsovy
1979: Hardwicke Stakes – Obraztsovy
1981: Ormonde Stakes – Pellerin
1981: Ormonde Stakes – Pellerin
1981: Hardwicke Stakes – Pellerin
1981: Hardwicke Stakes – Pellerin
1981: Bunbury Cup – Captain Nick
1981: Bunbury Cup – Captain Nick
1981: Solario Stakes – Silver Hawk
1981: Solario Stakes – Silver Hawk
1982: Rockfel Stakes – Saving Mercy
1982: Rockfel Stakes – Saving Mercy
1983: Craven Stakes – Muscatite
1983: Craven Stakes – Muscatite
In Ireland
In Ireland
1978: Irish St Leger – M-Lolshan
1978: Irish St Leger – M-Lolshan
1981: Irish St Leger – Protection Racket
1981: Irish St Leger – Protection Racket
In Germany
In Germany
1979: Grosser Preis von Baden – M-Lolshan
1979: Grosser Preis von Baden – M-Lolshan
In Italy
In Italy
1970: Derby Italiano – Ortis
1970: Derby Italiano – Ortis
1973: Premio Regina Elena – La Zanzara
1973: Premio Regina Elena – La Zanzara
1973: Premio Emilio Turati – Brook
1973: Premio Emilio Turati – Brook
1975: Derby Italiano – Orange Bay
1975: Derby Italiano – Orange Bay
1978: Gran Premio di Milano – Stuyvesant
1978: Gran Premio di Milano – Stuyvesant