Kim Tinkler
Kim Ann Tinkler (nee Spink) was born in Doncaster on 15 August 1962 and was one of the first professional female jockeys. She was the leading Northern apprentice and went on to become leading lady jockey on two occasions. She rode 250 winners during her race riding career and also rode over hurdles and fences.
Kim Ann Tinkler (nee Spink) was born in Doncaster on 15 August 1962 and was one of the first professional female jockeys. She was the leading Northern apprentice and went on to become leading lady jockey on two occasions. She rode 250 winners during her race riding career and also rode over hurdles and fences.
When she was about twelve she “started going through the whole pony thing,” as she told a local reporter some years ago. However, her parents, a barber and a home help, had four children to feed and clothe and little cash to spare for luxuries. And there was definitely no room for a pony at their Doncaster council house.
When she was about twelve she “started going through the whole pony thing,” as she told a local reporter some years ago. However, her parents, a barber and a home help, had four children to feed and clothe and little cash to spare for luxuries. And there was definitely no room for a pony at their Doncaster council house.
Instead, she went for a more practical option. She began working in local stables at weekends, getting 50 pence for her efforts. The financial rewards may have been poor but at least it was better than having to pay for riding lessons.
Instead, she went for a more practical option. She began working in local stables at weekends, getting 50 pence for her efforts. The financial rewards may have been poor but at least it was better than having to pay for riding lessons.
It was her father who first put the idea of becoming a jockey into her head. He pointed out that she was right size, a talented rider and, perhaps most importantly of all, very enthusiastic.
It was her father who first put the idea of becoming a jockey into her head. He pointed out that she was right size, a talented rider and, perhaps most importantly of all, very enthusiastic.
She had her first ride on the Flat at Beverley in 1979 and had a few rides over jumps but met with no success. Among the latter, her two rides at Uttoixeter’s 1980 Easter meeting saw her finish tailed off on As I Wish in the selling hurdle and fall two out on Mount-Glow in the novices’ hurdle.
She had her first ride on the Flat at Beverley in 1979 and had a few rides over jumps but met with no success. Among the latter, her two rides at Uttoixeter’s 1980 Easter meeting saw her finish tailed off on As I Wish in the selling hurdle and fall two out on Mount-Glow in the novices’ hurdle.
Her first winner proved elusive, even after she met Nigel Tinkler’s brother Colin, a fellow jockey, at Stockton Races in 1982. Colin told her that Nigel had started training and was looking for an apprentice, Kim was offered the job and accepted
Her first winner proved elusive, even after she met Nigel Tinkler’s brother Colin, a fellow jockey, at Stockton Races in 1982. Colin told her that Nigel had started training and was looking for an apprentice, Kim was offered the job and accepted
Another three years went by before her name appeared on the score sheet. Her breakthrough moment was finally arrived at an evening meeting at Edinburgh (as Musselburgh was then still known) on 2 August 1985 when guiding Nigel’s Wow Wow Wow to a length-and-a-half victory in the Capital and County Insurance Nursery.
Another three years went by before her name appeared on the score sheet. Her breakthrough moment was finally arrived at an evening meeting at Edinburgh (as Musselburgh was then still known) on 2 August 1985 when guiding Nigel’s Wow Wow Wow to a length-and-a-half victory in the Capital and County Insurance Nursery.
Four months later, she married Nigel, so Kim Spink became Kim Tinkler.
Four months later, she married Nigel, so Kim Spink became Kim Tinkler.
She rode many winners for Colin Tinkler Senior’s (Nigel’s father) Full Circle Syndicate. Among the best horses she rode was Nigel’s Henry Hall, on whom she won seven races including the 2000 Gosforth Park Sprint Cup. Another highlight was riding a double, beating 11-time champion jockey Pat Eddery in both.
She rode many winners for Colin Tinkler Senior’s (Nigel’s father) Full Circle Syndicate. Among the best horses she rode was Nigel’s Henry Hall, on whom she won seven races including the 2000 Gosforth Park Sprint Cup. Another highlight was riding a double, beating 11-time champion jockey Pat Eddery in both.
Able to go to scale at just 7st 12lbs, she believed that skill was far more important than brute strength when it comes to being a successful jockey.
Able to go to scale at just 7st 12lbs, she believed that skill was far more important than brute strength when it comes to being a successful jockey.
She achieved her last win on 5-1 chance Foreign Rhythm in Sunday Mail Median Auction Maiden Stakes, Hamilton. 12 July 2008.
She achieved her last win on 5-1 chance Foreign Rhythm in Sunday Mail Median Auction Maiden Stakes, Hamilton. 12 July 2008.
Her final ride was on King Of Sword, who finished fourth of 13 in a class 5 handicap at Nottingham on 29 October 2008.
Her final ride was on King Of Sword, who finished fourth of 13 in a class 5 handicap at Nottingham on 29 October 2008.
Kim and Nigel have two children, a daughter named Amy and a son named Lewis. She remains a huge asset to the daily running of the Tinkler yard, being the principal work rider and assistant trainer. She also works for the BHA as a jockey coach and assessor for licences.
Kim and Nigel have two children, a daughter named Amy and a son named Lewis. She remains a huge asset to the daily running of the Tinkler yard, being the principal work rider and assistant trainer. She also works for the BHA as a jockey coach and assessor for licences.