Oscar Urbina
Oscar Ortiz de Urbina y Valverde was born on July 23 1972 in Vitoria, northeast Spain.
Oscar Ortiz de Urbina y Valverde was born on July 23 1972 in Vitoria, northeast Spain.
Standing at 5 ft 6 ins, Oscar is, to date, the only Spaniard to have ridden professionally in the U.K.
Standing at 5 ft 6 ins, Oscar is, to date, the only Spaniard to have ridden professionally in the U.K.
He, and his two brothers who also worked in racing, based himself at Newmarket in 1994, and more than held his own against his British counterparts.
He, and his two brothers who also worked in racing, based himself at Newmarket in 1994, and more than held his own against his British counterparts.
Oscar was placed in three English classics: he was fourth in the 1996 St Leger riding Mons for trainer Luca Cumani, fourth again in the 2003 One Thousand Guineas riding Soviet Song for James Fanshawe and, in the 2005 Two Thousand Guineas, second on Rebel Rebel for trainer Neville Callaghan.
Oscar was placed in three English classics: he was fourth in the 1996 St Leger riding Mons for trainer Luca Cumani, fourth again in the 2003 One Thousand Guineas riding Soviet Song for James Fanshawe and, in the 2005 Two Thousand Guineas, second on Rebel Rebel for trainer Neville Callaghan.
Oscar also enjoyed success at Royal Ascot, winning the 2004 Buckingham Palace Handicap on Unscrupulous.
Oscar also enjoyed success at Royal Ascot, winning the 2004 Buckingham Palace Handicap on Unscrupulous.
He had several near misses at the same venue: he came second on Able Baker Charlie in the 2004 Royal Hunt Cup, second on Soviet Song in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes, second on Ecclesiastical in the 2001 Britania Handicap and third on Persian Waters in the 2001 Ascot Stakes.
He had several near misses at the same venue: he came second on Able Baker Charlie in the 2004 Royal Hunt Cup, second on Soviet Song in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes, second on Ecclesiastical in the 2001 Britania Handicap and third on Persian Waters in the 2001 Ascot Stakes.
His biggest success came on Soviet Song (left) in the Group 1 Fillies Mile at Ascot in 2002.
His biggest success came on Soviet Song (left) in the Group 1 Fillies Mile at Ascot in 2002.
Oscar rode for 15 seasons in Britain and rode 326 winners before returning to Spain at the end of 2008 to ride for the champion trainer there. His last ride in England was on Hurricane Harriet for trainer R Cowell at Newmarket on November 1, 2008.
Oscar rode for 15 seasons in Britain and rode 326 winners before returning to Spain at the end of 2008 to ride for the champion trainer there. His last ride in England was on Hurricane Harriet for trainer R Cowell at Newmarket on November 1, 2008.
His best season was in 2006, when he rode 52 winners.
His best season was in 2006, when he rode 52 winners.
He spent his last ten years in England with James Fanshawe, for whom he rode 119 winners.
He spent his last ten years in England with James Fanshawe, for whom he rode 119 winners.
Oscar said at the time: 'It's been hard to leave, but the owner wanted me to spend the winter in Spain, and I wanted to be there as well rather than be in England and going to Southwell and places like that where the prize-money is desperate and there aren't many rides.'
Oscar said at the time: 'It's been hard to leave, but the owner wanted me to spend the winter in Spain, and I wanted to be there as well rather than be in England and going to Southwell and places like that where the prize-money is desperate and there aren't many rides.'
"I am not really thinking of going back to England, but you can't compare racing in Britain and Spain, and if something came up for me I would be happy to go back."
"I am not really thinking of going back to England, but you can't compare racing in Britain and Spain, and if something came up for me I would be happy to go back."
In December 2007, Oscar was accused of misleading officials over the running and riding of Golden Surprice at Wolverhampton.
In December 2007, Oscar was accused of misleading officials over the running and riding of Golden Surprice at Wolverhampton.
The British Horseracing Authority's case centred on the horse being laid to lose on the exchanges and its allegation that Golden Surprice had not been in training or in a racing yard since 19 November when the seven-year-old won a race at the same track.
The British Horseracing Authority's case centred on the horse being laid to lose on the exchanges and its allegation that Golden Surprice had not been in training or in a racing yard since 19 November when the seven-year-old won a race at the same track.
Oscar told stewards that there was 'no reason' for the 6-5 favourite finishing 11th of 12
Oscar told stewards that there was 'no reason' for the 6-5 favourite finishing 11th of 12
He was charged with...'failing to report to the Wolverhampton stewards when the “performance of the horse required a report”; acting in a “manner prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horse racing in Britain by failing to report to the stewards of information he had received, particularly that the colt had not been in training for the race and not been prepared for the race...” and “aiding or abetting in deliberately misleading the stewards when requested for an explanation for Golden Surprice's performance."
He was charged with...'failing to report to the Wolverhampton stewards when the “performance of the horse required a report”; acting in a “manner prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horse racing in Britain by failing to report to the stewards of information he had received, particularly that the colt had not been in training for the race and not been prepared for the race...” and “aiding or abetting in deliberately misleading the stewards when requested for an explanation for Golden Surprice's performance."
