Steve Taylor
Stephen Andrew Taylor was born at Sheffield on November 1, 1949. He was apprenticed to Cliff Boothman initially but then joined Steve Norton, who trained at Silkstone Common. He rode his first winner on Norton’s juvenile hurdler Nerak, at Carlisle on December 17, 1970.
Stephen Andrew Taylor was born at Sheffield on November 1, 1949. He was apprenticed to Cliff Boothman initially but then joined Steve Norton, who trained at Silkstone Common. He rode his first winner on Norton’s juvenile hurdler Nerak, at Carlisle on December 17, 1970.
He went on to win five consecutive races on Nerak, culminating in the Victor Ludorum Hurdle at Haydock on March 6, 1971. He finished that 1970/71 season with eight winners and was presented the Sportsmans Club Award for Leading Junior Rider
He went on to win five consecutive races on Nerak, culminating in the Victor Ludorum Hurdle at Haydock on March 6, 1971. He finished that 1970/71 season with eight winners and was presented the Sportsmans Club Award for Leading Junior Rider
Steve was pretty handy with his firsts too, winning the stable lads’ Northern Racing Championship in 1970 in the 8st 7lb category.
Steve was pretty handy with his firsts too, winning the stable lads’ Northern Racing Championship in 1970 in the 8st 7lb category.
He rode eight more winners in 1971/72, but increased his tally to 18 in 72/73, by which time he was riding for Alan Jarvis and Arthur Balding as well as Steve Norton.
He rode eight more winners in 1971/72, but increased his tally to 18 in 72/73, by which time he was riding for Alan Jarvis and Arthur Balding as well as Steve Norton.
He enjoyed his best season in 1974/75 with 25 winners and came close to winning the 1975 Topham Trophy over the Grand National fences, riding Amigris into second place behind Irish raider Our Greenwood. However, his career was over just a few weeks later.
He enjoyed his best season in 1974/75 with 25 winners and came close to winning the 1975 Topham Trophy over the Grand National fences, riding Amigris into second place behind Irish raider Our Greenwood. However, his career was over just a few weeks later.
Steve rode what would be his last winner on the Jimmy Harris-trained Creevelea at Hereford on May 1, 1975. Four days later he was badly injured in a fall at Southwell from novice hurdler Honeymoor, who fell at the sixth flight and brought down two other horses. Steve dislocated his hip, for the third time, and was rushed to hospital, but there was a delay in operating. Complications ensued, with a weakening of ligaments, and arthritis set in.
Steve rode what would be his last winner on the Jimmy Harris-trained Creevelea at Hereford on May 1, 1975. Four days later he was badly injured in a fall at Southwell from novice hurdler Honeymoor, who fell at the sixth flight and brought down two other horses. Steve dislocated his hip, for the third time, and was rushed to hospital, but there was a delay in operating. Complications ensued, with a weakening of ligaments, and arthritis set in.
A year passed before he was advised not to ride again. He had ridden a total of 72 winners.
A year passed before he was advised not to ride again. He had ridden a total of 72 winners.
Steve became a horse-box driver for the East Coast Group Company. However, he has subsequently returned to racing, having been employed as a starter by the British Horseracing Authority.
Steve became a horse-box driver for the East Coast Group Company. However, he has subsequently returned to racing, having been employed as a starter by the British Horseracing Authority.
He is not to be confused – nor was he any relation – with fellow jockey Steve P. Taylor, whose career overlapped.
He is not to be confused – nor was he any relation – with fellow jockey Steve P. Taylor, whose career overlapped.