Damian Towler

Damian Towler

Article by Alan Trout

Damian Lane Towler rode five winners over jumps in the early 1990s. He was a conditional jockey with Bingley, West Yorkshire trainer Sue Smith and had his first success at Hexham on October 15, 1992, albeit not without one anxious moment. He was leading comfortably on the four-year-old Regal Romper with one flight left to jump in the Oakwood Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Handicap Hurdle when almost taking the chase course turning for home. Luckily, the crisis was averted at the last moment and they went on to win by 12 lengths. 

He second victory came at Sedgefield on December 8, when South Stack finished four lengths clear at the end of the Black Lion Novices’ Selling Hurdle. The pair had only been beaten a head on their previous start at Hexham 13 days earlier, however three unplaced efforts followed their Sedgefield success. 

Fifteen months elapsed before Damian next visited the winner’s enclosure, but a close verdict went his way when Regal Romper held the challenge of Station Express by a head to take the John Wade Haulage Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield on March 8, 1994. 

Just seven days later at the same course, Otter Bush gave him his fourth success when landing the Spennymoor Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, despite wandering about approaching the last flight. 

Having provided Damian with his first win, Regal Romper also gave him his final victory when he was ridden out to beat Hypnotist by seven lengths in the Wharfedale Selling Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby on Easter Monday 1984. He did not renew his licence the following season. 

Damian Towler’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Regal Romper, Hexham, October 15, 1992

2. South Stack, Sedgefield, December 8, 1992

3. Regal Romper, Sedgefield, March 8, 1994

4. Otter Bush, Sedgefield, March 15, 1994

5. Regal Romper, Wetherby, April 4, 1994