Dick Thrale
1897 - 1973
1897 - 1973
A cousin of successful dual-purpose trainer Peter Thrale (1886-1959), National Hunt jockey Richard Alwen (Dick) Thrale was born on January 27, 1897.
A cousin of successful dual-purpose trainer Peter Thrale (1886-1959), National Hunt jockey Richard Alwen (Dick) Thrale was born on January 27, 1897.
He started out as an amateur and had his first race-ride on a horse named A1 in the Farmers’ Chase at the Eridge Hunt bona fide meeting on Easter Monday, April 2, 1923, finishing unplaced. His first win also came at a bona fide fixture, on Flying Time in the Farmers’ Cup Chase at Southdown Hunt on Saturday, March 28, 1925.
He started out as an amateur and had his first race-ride on a horse named A1 in the Farmers’ Chase at the Eridge Hunt bona fide meeting on Easter Monday, April 2, 1923, finishing unplaced. His first win also came at a bona fide fixture, on Flying Time in the Farmers’ Cup Chase at Southdown Hunt on Saturday, March 28, 1925.
His first winner under ‘proper’ National Hunt rules was gained on Black Stefan (below) in the Amateurs’ Handicap Hurdle at Newbury on February 18, 1927. He rode 13 winners during the 1927/28 season, placing him second in the amateurs’ championship. Encouraged by that level of success, he turned professional in September 1928,
His first winner under ‘proper’ National Hunt rules was gained on Black Stefan (below) in the Amateurs’ Handicap Hurdle at Newbury on February 18, 1927. He rode 13 winners during the 1927/28 season, placing him second in the amateurs’ championship. Encouraged by that level of success, he turned professional in September 1928,
His sole Grand National ride was on one of the 200-1 outsiders, Ardoon’s Pride, in the record 66-runner field of 1929. They were among the fallers on the first circuit.
His sole Grand National ride was on one of the 200-1 outsiders, Ardoon’s Pride, in the record 66-runner field of 1929. They were among the fallers on the first circuit.
Dick equalled his best score in the 1929/30 season with 13 wins. He would almost certainly have beaten it but for suffering a fractured skull in a fall from s horse named Oliver Cromwell at Lingfield on March 8, 1930, which left him in a coma for three weeks.
Dick equalled his best score in the 1929/30 season with 13 wins. He would almost certainly have beaten it but for suffering a fractured skull in a fall from s horse named Oliver Cromwell at Lingfield on March 8, 1930, which left him in a coma for three weeks.
Undaunted, he went on to ride a total of 56 winners under National Hunt rules, the last of them on Broken Ice in the Hurstpierpoint Selling Hurdle at Plumpton on New Year’s Day 1935. He had his final mount on Napcote in the Novices’ Hurdle at Bungay on April 18, 1935, finishing fourth of the eight runners.
Undaunted, he went on to ride a total of 56 winners under National Hunt rules, the last of them on Broken Ice in the Hurstpierpoint Selling Hurdle at Plumpton on New Year’s Day 1935. He had his final mount on Napcote in the Novices’ Hurdle at Bungay on April 18, 1935, finishing fourth of the eight runners.
When Peter Thrale left Epsom’s Addington Stables to train at East Horsley, Dick took over the yard, breaking the two-year-olds, and in 1937 took out a licence to train there.
When Peter Thrale left Epsom’s Addington Stables to train at East Horsley, Dick took over the yard, breaking the two-year-olds, and in 1937 took out a licence to train there.
In 1953 he moved to Downs House, where he the horses he trained included Indigenous, who held the record for the world’s fastest horse when winning over Epsom’s five-furlong sprint course in June 1960 at an average speed of 41.97 mph, a record that stood until electronic timing was introduced.
In 1953 he moved to Downs House, where he the horses he trained included Indigenous, who held the record for the world’s fastest horse when winning over Epsom’s five-furlong sprint course in June 1960 at an average speed of 41.97 mph, a record that stood until electronic timing was introduced.
He retired from training in 1966 and was succeeded at Downs House by Cyril Mitchell and, later, Cyril’s son Philip.
He retired from training in 1966 and was succeeded at Downs House by Cyril Mitchell and, later, Cyril’s son Philip.
Dick Thrale died on December 16, 1973, aged 76. His daughter Gillian was the mother of champion National Hunt jockey Richard Dunwoody.
Dick Thrale died on December 16, 1973, aged 76. His daughter Gillian was the mother of champion National Hunt jockey Richard Dunwoody.