Grenville Underwood
1932 - 2016
1932 - 2016
By Chris Pitt
By Chris Pitt
Grenville William Ernest Underwood was born on February 27, 1932, at Edingley, Nottinghamshire, although he later settled in Sutton Coldfield, on the outskirts of Birmingham. He was apprenticed to Wally Drinkwater and rode his first winner, Hop Leys, (right) at Stratford on January 16, 1954.
Grenville William Ernest Underwood was born on February 27, 1932, at Edingley, Nottinghamshire, although he later settled in Sutton Coldfield, on the outskirts of Birmingham. He was apprenticed to Wally Drinkwater and rode his first winner, Hop Leys, (right) at Stratford on January 16, 1954.
He reached the pinnacle of his career in 1957 when winning the Champion Hurdle on Merry Deal having also won Doncaster’s Princess Royal Hurdle on him the previous month, as well as the 1956 Victory Hurdle at Manchester. Merry Deal (left) was certainly the best he rode during his career.
He reached the pinnacle of his career in 1957 when winning the Champion Hurdle on Merry Deal having also won Doncaster’s Princess Royal Hurdle on him the previous month, as well as the 1956 Victory Hurdle at Manchester. Merry Deal (left) was certainly the best he rode during his career.
Little over a fortnight after winning the Champion Hurdle, Grenville had his sole ride in the Grand National on Cherry Abbot, falling at Becher’s first time round. However, he enjoyed
Little over a fortnight after winning the Champion Hurdle, Grenville had his sole ride in the Grand National on Cherry Abbot, falling at Becher’s first time round. However, he enjoyed
better fortune over those big Aintree fences two years later when winning the 1959 Topham Trophy on Clanyon.
better fortune over those big Aintree fences two years later when winning the 1959 Topham Trophy on Clanyon.
In 1960 he suffered a bad neck injury in a fall, although he continued riding for another season. He rode his last winner on Landing Strip in a maiden hurdle at
In 1960 he suffered a bad neck injury in a fall, although he continued riding for another season. He rode his last winner on Landing Strip in a maiden hurdle at
Uttoxeter on April 4, 1961. His final ride was on Lotoray (finished fifth) at Towcester on Whit Monday, May 22, 1961. He retired having ridden a total of 48 winners.
Uttoxeter on April 4, 1961. His final ride was on Lotoray (finished fifth) at Towcester on Whit Monday, May 22, 1961. He retired having ridden a total of 48 winners.
Grenville passed away peacefully at home on December 20, 2015 after a brief battle with cancer. He has left a wife, Georgina, three daughters, Margaret, Jennifer and Cindy, and five grandchildren. His funeral took place on January 6, 2016 at Salisbury Crematorium.
Grenville passed away peacefully at home on December 20, 2015 after a brief battle with cancer. He has left a wife, Georgina, three daughters, Margaret, Jennifer and Cindy, and five grandchildren. His funeral took place on January 6, 2016 at Salisbury Crematorium.
Biggest wins:
Biggest wins:
Champion Hurdle winner: Merry Deal (1957)
Champion Hurdle winner: Merry Deal (1957)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1956: Victory Hurdle – Merry Deal
1956: Victory Hurdle – Merry Deal
1957: Princess Royal Handicap Hurdle – Merry Deal
1957: Princess Royal Handicap Hurdle – Merry Deal
1959: Topham Trophy Chase – Clanyon
1959: Topham Trophy Chase – Clanyon