Colin Tinkler
Colin Harwin Tinkler was born in Leeds on 7 April 1954, the son of amateur rider and trainer Colin Tinkler Senior and Marie Tinkler.
Colin Harwin Tinkler was born in Leeds on 7 April 1954, the son of amateur rider and trainer Colin Tinkler Senior and Marie Tinkler.
He started out as an amateur and rode his first winner on Montabel, owned and trained by his father, in the Cleveland Selling Hurdle at Teesside Park (Stockton) on 10 October 1970. He won that same race again the following year on another of his father’s horses, Philip.
He started out as an amateur and rode his first winner on Montabel, owned and trained by his father, in the Cleveland Selling Hurdle at Teesside Park (Stockton) on 10 October 1970. He won that same race again the following year on another of his father’s horses, Philip.
During the spring of 1972 Colin had a few rides for Hawick trainer Ken Oliver. On turning professional at the start of the next season, he rode many more of the Oliver runners, including his first important success on Tregarron in that year’s Greenall Whitley Handicap Chase at Haydock. When Barry Brogan left the following year, Colin got his big chance by becoming Oliver’s stable jockey.
During the spring of 1972 Colin had a few rides for Hawick trainer Ken Oliver. On turning professional at the start of the next season, he rode many more of the Oliver runners, including his first important success on Tregarron in that year’s Greenall Whitley Handicap Chase at Haydock. When Barry Brogan left the following year, Colin got his big chance by becoming Oliver’s stable jockey.
Colin stayed five years with Oliver until landing a plum job with Kinnersley trainer Fred Rimell, for whom he won the inaugural running of Haydock’s Royal Doulton (now Swinton) Handicap Hurdle on Royal Gaye, the Topham Trophy on Canit, the Irish Champion Hurdle on Connaught Ranger, and Cheltenham’s County Hurdle on Monte Ceco.
Colin stayed five years with Oliver until landing a plum job with Kinnersley trainer Fred Rimell, for whom he won the inaugural running of Haydock’s Royal Doulton (now Swinton) Handicap Hurdle on Royal Gaye, the Topham Trophy on Canit, the Irish Champion Hurdle on Connaught Ranger, and Cheltenham’s County Hurdle on Monte Ceco.
He rode a total of 395 winners before his career came to an abrupt and painful end at Newcastle on 13 November 1982 when his mount, O’er the Border, suddenly ducked out just before the ninth fence when leading in a novice chase, hurling Colin against a tall, wooden upright, supported by a concrete post.
He rode a total of 395 winners before his career came to an abrupt and painful end at Newcastle on 13 November 1982 when his mount, O’er the Border, suddenly ducked out just before the ninth fence when leading in a novice chase, hurling Colin against a tall, wooden upright, supported by a concrete post.
Colin’s left femur was smashed in seven places and the ligaments were badly torn in the other leg. Moreover, his right eye was badly damaged, resulting in negative vision.
Colin’s left femur was smashed in seven places and the ligaments were badly torn in the other leg. Moreover, his right eye was badly damaged, resulting in negative vision.
Early in 1984 Colin set up as a trainer, based at Musley Bank, near Malton. He made a dream start by winning with his first runner, Trickshot, at Hexham on Cheltenham Gold Cup day, bringing off a gamble in the process. He enjoyed a fair measure of success but relinquished his licence in 1994 and focused on the bloodstock side, buying foals, bringing them on and selling them as yearlings.
Early in 1984 Colin set up as a trainer, based at Musley Bank, near Malton. He made a dream start by winning with his first runner, Trickshot, at Hexham on Cheltenham Gold Cup day, bringing off a gamble in the process. He enjoyed a fair measure of success but relinquished his licence in 1994 and focused on the bloodstock side, buying foals, bringing them on and selling them as yearlings.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1973: Greenall Whitley Handicap Chase – Tregarron
1973: Greenall Whitley Handicap Chase – Tregarron
1974: Fred Withington Handicap Chase – Meridian II
1974: Fred Withington Handicap Chase – Meridian II
1975: Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase – Broncho II
1975: Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase – Broncho II
1978: Royal Doulton Handicap Hurdle – Royal Gaye
1978: Royal Doulton Handicap Hurdle – Royal Gaye
1978: Great Yorkshire Chase – Autumn Rain
1978: Great Yorkshire Chase – Autumn Rain
1978: Stone’s Ginger Wine Handicap Chase – Park House
1978: Stone’s Ginger Wine Handicap Chase – Park House
1978: Topham Trophy Chase – Canit
1978: Topham Trophy Chase – Canit
1979: Irish Champion Hurdle – Connaught Ranger
1979: Irish Champion Hurdle – Connaught Ranger
1979: County Handicap Hurdle – Monte Ceco
1979: County Handicap Hurdle – Monte Ceco