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Maurice Tucker
Maurice Tucker
1928-1988
1928-1988
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born in 1928, Maurice Patrick Tucker rode throughout the 1950s, amassing five wins during the decade. He had his first ride at Worcester on March 3, 1951, when Foxy was unplaced in the Hallow Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1).
Born in 1928, Maurice Patrick Tucker rode throughout the 1950s, amassing five wins during the decade. He had his first ride at Worcester on March 3, 1951, when Foxy was unplaced in the Hallow Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1).
He had to wait almost two years for his first success, but it finally came at Ludlow on February 26, 1953, when Rum Chicken, trained by Geoffrey Champneys, won the Aldon Handicap Chase, beating Dry Martini by eight lengths. The eight-year-old had finished second in his first four races of the season, as well as falling two out when leading one day at Wincanton.
He had to wait almost two years for his first success, but it finally came at Ludlow on February 26, 1953, when Rum Chicken, trained by Geoffrey Champneys, won the Aldon Handicap Chase, beating Dry Martini by eight lengths. The eight-year-old had finished second in his first four races of the season, as well as falling two out when leading one day at Wincanton.
Another two-year period elapsed before Maurice next visited the winner’s enclosure, the drought ending at Huntingdon on Easter Monday, April 11, 1955, when Tinkling won the Fitzwilliam Handicap Chase by a length and a half.
Another two-year period elapsed before Maurice next visited the winner’s enclosure, the drought ending at Huntingdon on Easter Monday, April 11, 1955, when Tinkling won the Fitzwilliam Handicap Chase by a length and a half.
Yet another long gap ensued before win number three, which came at Stratford on February 2, 1957, when six-year-old Great Inca, trained by Bill McMullen, was successful in the Kineton Handicap Chase, holding off the strong-finishing Red Hawk by a length. Next time out the partnership had the same winning distance to spare when taking the Harry Isaacs Memorial Trophy Handicap Chase at Hereford on March 16, withstanding another strong, late challenge, this time from Young Hinds.
Yet another long gap ensued before win number three, which came at Stratford on February 2, 1957, when six-year-old Great Inca, trained by Bill McMullen, was successful in the Kineton Handicap Chase, holding off the strong-finishing Red Hawk by a length. Next time out the partnership had the same winning distance to spare when taking the Harry Isaacs Memorial Trophy Handicap Chase at Hereford on March 16, withstanding another strong, late challenge, this time from Young Hinds.
McMullen was also responsible for Maurice’s last winner when, just two days after the Hereford victory, he took the lead on Hyde Park at the fifth fence in the Wicken Selling Handicap Chase, a race for novice riders at Warwick, and stayed on to beat the 14-year-old Splash by five lengths. He kept the ride, but two unplaced outings were the only result.
McMullen was also responsible for Maurice’s last winner when, just two days after the Hereford victory, he took the lead on Hyde Park at the fifth fence in the Wicken Selling Handicap Chase, a race for novice riders at Warwick, and stayed on to beat the 14-year-old Splash by five lengths. He kept the ride, but two unplaced outings were the only result.
Maurice’s career ended on a disappointing note on March 14, 1959, when his last ride, Endive Maid, would not start in the Maiden Hurdle at Hereford, the course where he had achieved his highest profile success two years earlier.
Maurice’s career ended on a disappointing note on March 14, 1959, when his last ride, Endive Maid, would not start in the Maiden Hurdle at Hereford, the course where he had achieved his highest profile success two years earlier.
Maurice Tucker died in 1988.
Maurice Tucker died in 1988.
His winners were, in chronological order.
His winners were, in chronological order.
1. Rum Chicken, Ludlow, February 26, 1953
1. Rum Chicken, Ludlow, February 26, 1953
2. Tinkling, Huntingdon, April 11, 1955
2. Tinkling, Huntingdon, April 11, 1955
3. Great Inca, Stratford-on-Avon, February 2, 1957
3. Great Inca, Stratford-on-Avon, February 2, 1957
4. Great Inca, Hereford, March 16, 1957
4. Great Inca, Hereford, March 16, 1957
5. Hyde Park, Warwick, March 18, 1957
5. Hyde Park, Warwick, March 18, 1957
Maurice Tucker's first winner, Rum Chicken
Maurice's final winner: Hyde Park
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