Phil Tuck
Philip Charles Tuck was born on July 10, 1956 and lived, for a time, at The Magpies, Station Road, Ampleforth, Yorkshire.
Philip Charles Tuck was born on July 10, 1956 and lived, for a time, at The Magpies, Station Road, Ampleforth, Yorkshire.
He served a five-year apprenticeship with Walter Wharton and rode his first winner, Persian King, on December 17, 1975, at Catterick.
He served a five-year apprenticeship with Walter Wharton and rode his first winner, Persian King, on December 17, 1975, at Catterick.
After a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury, he deputised for injured amateur rider Paul McMahon on Midnight Glen (his comeback ride) at Newcastle in January, 1990 - and, aged 33, promptly retired.
After a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury, he deputised for injured amateur rider Paul McMahon on Midnight Glen (his comeback ride) at Newcastle in January, 1990 - and, aged 33, promptly retired.
His actual last appearance on the racecourse was in October 1994 when partnering Sophism in the William Hill Golden Oldie Stakes at Bangor.
His actual last appearance on the racecourse was in October 1994 when partnering Sophism in the William Hill Golden Oldie Stakes at Bangor.
He had ridden a total of 423 winners including a record-equalling ten consecutive winners during eleven days in October, 1986. Johnnie Gilbert also rode ten winners on the trot in 1959.
He had ridden a total of 423 winners including a record-equalling ten consecutive winners during eleven days in October, 1986. Johnnie Gilbert also rode ten winners on the trot in 1959.
The first treble of his career came at Stockton on Monday 19 January 1981 on Jane Roy 2/1, Castle Arch 9/2 and Apple Wine 5/2.
The first treble of his career came at Stockton on Monday 19 January 1981 on Jane Roy 2/1, Castle Arch 9/2 and Apple Wine 5/2.
He rode in the Grand National on six occasions, his closest to winning coming in 1986 when coming second on Mr Snugfit to Last Suspect.
He rode in the Grand National on six occasions, his closest to winning coming in 1986 when coming second on Mr Snugfit to Last Suspect.
Phil was retained by G W Richards who trained at Greystoke Castle in Cumbria. He stayed with Richards until November 1989 when Richards announced that he would no longer be employing a stable jockey and that Phil would have to share rides with Graham McCourt and Neale Doughty.
Phil was retained by G W Richards who trained at Greystoke Castle in Cumbria. He stayed with Richards until November 1989 when Richards announced that he would no longer be employing a stable jockey and that Phil would have to share rides with Graham McCourt and Neale Doughty.
Phil left the stable to become a freelance, using ex-jockey Chris Pimlott as his agent.
Phil left the stable to become a freelance, using ex-jockey Chris Pimlott as his agent.
Phil began selling pharmaceuticals for horses before, in December 1994, being appointed a stewards' secretary by the Jockey Club.
Phil began selling pharmaceuticals for horses before, in December 1994, being appointed a stewards' secretary by the Jockey Club.
On June 14, 1981, he married Maria Winter; she gave him a son, David Philip.
On June 14, 1981, he married Maria Winter; she gave him a son, David Philip.
Phil enjoys gardening, Do It Yourself and walking his dogs.
Phil enjoys gardening, Do It Yourself and walking his dogs.
Phil Tuck's best win:
Phil Tuck's best win:
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner: Borough Hill Lad (1984)
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner: Borough Hill Lad (1984)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1980: Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase – Jer
1980: Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase – Jer
1982: Eider Handicap Chase – Lasobany
1982: Eider Handicap Chase – Lasobany
1982: Fighting Fifth Hurdle – Donegal Prince
1982: Fighting Fifth Hurdle – Donegal Prince
1984: Charlie Hall Chase – Burrough Hill Lad
1984: Charlie Hall Chase – Burrough Hill Lad
1985: Greenall Whitley Handicap Chase – Earls Brig
1985: Greenall Whitley Handicap Chase – Earls Brig
1987: Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Tartan Tailor
1987: Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Tartan Tailor
Trainer G W Richards was born near Bath, the eldest of ten children. He started off as a jockey and finished runner-up to Game Field in the 1958 Scottish Grand National but, aged 29, broke his back in a fall from Seaview at Perth. Five years later, he began training, managing such horses as Titus Oates and Playlord.
Trainer G W Richards was born near Bath, the eldest of ten children. He started off as a jockey and finished runner-up to Game Field in the 1958 Scottish Grand National but, aged 29, broke his back in a fall from Seaview at Perth. Five years later, he began training, managing such horses as Titus Oates and Playlord.
In his 34 years as a trainer, he won the Grand National twice (Lucius and Hallo Dandy).
In his 34 years as a trainer, he won the Grand National twice (Lucius and Hallo Dandy).
He died aged 68 after a long battle with cancer.
He died aged 68 after a long battle with cancer.