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Guy Upton was born in Marlborough on April 22, 1966. On Saturday January 21, 1989, amateur rider Guy Upton hoisted his 6ft 1in frame into the saddle of Memberson, and made his way out onto the Warwick racecourse to contest the Brooke Bond Oxo National.
Guy Upton was born in Marlborough on April 22, 1966. On Saturday January 21, 1989, amateur rider Guy Upton hoisted his 6ft 1in frame into the saddle of Memberson, and made his way out onto the Warwick racecourse to contest the Brooke Bond Oxo National.
With 13 winners already behind him, Guy's confidence in his own ability was growing.
With 13 winners already behind him, Guy's confidence in his own ability was growing.
He planned to keep the 15/2 chance up with the leaders throughout, but just after completing a circuit - disaster. Memberson's girth broke. Guy, sitting as still and tight as possible, kept his nerve, finally beating the favourite Cool Ground by a length and gaining the biggest win of his career.
He planned to keep the 15/2 chance up with the leaders throughout, but just after completing a circuit - disaster. Memberson's girth broke. Guy, sitting as still and tight as possible, kept his nerve, finally beating the favourite Cool Ground by a length and gaining the biggest win of his career.
'I was lucky,' said Guy after the race. 'The saddle was very light and didn't move about much.'
'I was lucky,' said Guy after the race. 'The saddle was very light and didn't move about much.'
This left Guy only needing one more success to lose his 7lb claim.
This left Guy only needing one more success to lose his 7lb claim.
Later that year, the partnership was at Aintree for the National. Guy said after 'Memberson gave me a terrific ride. He jumped the Chair really well but we went into the back of a horse at the water, and that stopped us. I pulled up at the third last because of a loose horse.'
Later that year, the partnership was at Aintree for the National. Guy said after 'Memberson gave me a terrific ride. He jumped the Chair really well but we went into the back of a horse at the water, and that stopped us. I pulled up at the third last because of a loose horse.'
On Boxing Day, 1988, Guy won on Trout Angler by 7 lengths at Wincanton. Guy had had an abstemious Christmas to get down to 10st 3lb.
On Boxing Day, 1988, Guy won on Trout Angler by 7 lengths at Wincanton. Guy had had an abstemious Christmas to get down to 10st 3lb.
Miss Paddy O'Connor, Trout Angler's trainer, said 'I think Guy's spent all Christmas in the sauna.'
Miss Paddy O'Connor, Trout Angler's trainer, said 'I think Guy's spent all Christmas in the sauna.'
It was on Trout Angler that Guy lost his 5lb claim when winning the 1989 Lord Stalbridge Memorial Gold Cup at Wincanton.
It was on Trout Angler that Guy lost his 5lb claim when winning the 1989 Lord Stalbridge Memorial Gold Cup at Wincanton.
Guy collected a two-day suspension for a whip infringement when finishing unplaced on Glen Oak in the 1990 Coral Hurdle. The stewards refused to accept his explanation that the horse was lazy.
Guy collected a two-day suspension for a whip infringement when finishing unplaced on Glen Oak in the 1990 Coral Hurdle. The stewards refused to accept his explanation that the horse was lazy.
Dering Valley gave Guy his first winner of the 1992-3 season: later that afternoon Flying Speed gave Guy the first-ever double of his career.
Dering Valley gave Guy his first winner of the 1992-3 season: later that afternoon Flying Speed gave Guy the first-ever double of his career.
On March 28 1996, Guy was confirmed as first jockey to Jim Old. Two days later, Guy rode Plastic Spaceage for him (unplaced) in the Martell Grand National.
On March 28 1996, Guy was confirmed as first jockey to Jim Old. Two days later, Guy rode Plastic Spaceage for him (unplaced) in the Martell Grand National.
Aged 25, Guy met his partner, Sophia Mitchell, then the only professional female jump jockey.
Aged 25, Guy met his partner, Sophia Mitchell, then the only professional female jump jockey.
Aged 32, and with a catalogue of injuries behind him including broken legs, ankle, shoulder, collar-bones, vertebrae and ribs, Guy was facing the end of his riding career.
Aged 32, and with a catalogue of injuries behind him including broken legs, ankle, shoulder, collar-bones, vertebrae and ribs, Guy was facing the end of his riding career.
Speaking, in 1998, from their home at Aldbourne, Wiltshire, Sophia said 'He's dreading the day he has to finish. It's difficult to accept when you can't do something you love.'
Speaking, in 1998, from their home at Aldbourne, Wiltshire, Sophia said 'He's dreading the day he has to finish. It's difficult to accept when you can't do something you love.'
That dreaded day came on Monday April 5, 1999, when he climbed aboard Primitive Streak at Wincanton.
That dreaded day came on Monday April 5, 1999, when he climbed aboard Primitive Streak at Wincanton.
He never rode competitively again.
He never rode competitively again.
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