Peter Vaux Wing Cmdr.
1913 - 1980
1913 - 1980
Wing-Commander Peter Douglas Ord Vaux, DSO, was born on November 8, 1913, the son of Lt Col Ernest Vaux. A member of the Vaux brewing family, he owned, trained and rode as an amateur, amassing 56 wins in the saddle over jumps between 1935 and 1951.
Wing-Commander Peter Douglas Ord Vaux, DSO, was born on November 8, 1913, the son of Lt Col Ernest Vaux. A member of the Vaux brewing family, he owned, trained and rode as an amateur, amassing 56 wins in the saddle over jumps between 1935 and 1951.
Peter had his first ride under National Hunt rules at Wetherby on Easter Monday, April 22, 1935, finishing unplaced on Operator in the Wilstrop Maiden Hurdle for amateur riders. He achieved his first success later that year at the other end of the country, down at Wye in East Kent, winning the Wye (3yo) Maiden Hurdle aboard Pendragon on October 28, 1935. They won again at Plumpton in December. Four years later, Pendragon would provide Peter with a winner on jump racing’s biggest stage.
Peter had his first ride under National Hunt rules at Wetherby on Easter Monday, April 22, 1935, finishing unplaced on Operator in the Wilstrop Maiden Hurdle for amateur riders. He achieved his first success later that year at the other end of the country, down at Wye in East Kent, winning the Wye (3yo) Maiden Hurdle aboard Pendragon on October 28, 1935. They won again at Plumpton in December. Four years later, Pendragon would provide Peter with a winner on jump racing’s biggest stage.
He had one ride in the Grand National on 100-1 outsider Boy In Blue in 1936 but their adventure was over almost before it had begun with a fall at the very first fence.
He had one ride in the Grand National on 100-1 outsider Boy In Blue in 1936 but their adventure was over almost before it had begun with a fall at the very first fence.
Peter enjoyed his most successful season in 1938/39 with nine wins. They included his most prestigious success under rules when winning the Newent Selling Handicap Chase on Pendragon at Cheltenham’s 1939 National Hunt meeting, beating the evergreen 17-year-old Ferrans by 1½ lengths. The following month he rode a winner on both days of Hexham’s ‘Heart of All England’ fixture, returning to the Northumberland track on Whit Monday to land the Dilston Hurdle on Lansdowne Road.
Peter enjoyed his most successful season in 1938/39 with nine wins. They included his most prestigious success under rules when winning the Newent Selling Handicap Chase on Pendragon at Cheltenham’s 1939 National Hunt meeting, beating the evergreen 17-year-old Ferrans by 1½ lengths. The following month he rode a winner on both days of Hexham’s ‘Heart of All England’ fixture, returning to the Northumberland track on Whit Monday to land the Dilston Hurdle on Lansdowne Road.
With war being declared later that year, Peter served from 1939 to 1945 with the RAF’s No. 608 Squadron, becoming a distinguished airman and rising to the rank of Wing-Commander. When hostilities ended, he resumed his race-riding exploits, finishing joint third in the 1945/46 amateur riders’ table with seven wins.
With war being declared later that year, Peter served from 1939 to 1945 with the RAF’s No. 608 Squadron, becoming a distinguished airman and rising to the rank of Wing-Commander. When hostilities ended, he resumed his race-riding exploits, finishing joint third in the 1945/46 amateur riders’ table with seven wins.
He rode his last winner on Spangle in the Simonside Cup Amateur Riders’ Hurdle at Rothbury on April 28, 1951, beating the future well-known trainer Ken Oliver aboard the odds-on favourite Stockwhip by eight lengths. He had his final mount on Black Arrow II, a faller in the Heart of All England Hunt Cup Chase on April 30, 1955.
He rode his last winner on Spangle in the Simonside Cup Amateur Riders’ Hurdle at Rothbury on April 28, 1951, beating the future well-known trainer Ken Oliver aboard the odds-on favourite Stockwhip by eight lengths. He had his final mount on Black Arrow II, a faller in the Heart of All England Hunt Cup Chase on April 30, 1955.
Following his retirement from the saddle he became a Senior Steward of the National Hunt Committee.
Following his retirement from the saddle he became a Senior Steward of the National Hunt Committee.
When the Farrell-Brookshaw Fund was set up to assist jockeys Paddy Farrell and Tim Brookshaw, who had both broken their backs in falls at Liverpool during the 1963/64 season, Wing-Commander Vaux became one of its original five trustees. He remained in that role when the Farrell-Brookshaw Fund morphed into the Injured National Hunt Jockeys Fund and, subsequently, the Injured Jockeys Fund, remaining on the committee until 1978, when standing down due to other commitments.
When the Farrell-Brookshaw Fund was set up to assist jockeys Paddy Farrell and Tim Brookshaw, who had both broken their backs in falls at Liverpool during the 1963/64 season, Wing-Commander Vaux became one of its original five trustees. He remained in that role when the Farrell-Brookshaw Fund morphed into the Injured National Hunt Jockeys Fund and, subsequently, the Injured Jockeys Fund, remaining on the committee until 1978, when standing down due to other commitments.
Wing-Commander Peter Vaux, DSO, died on January 7, 1980, aged 66.
Wing-Commander Peter Vaux, DSO, died on January 7, 1980, aged 66.
His son, also named Peter, was a highly capable amateur rider with 20 victories under National Hunt rules during the 1960s.
His son, also named Peter, was a highly capable amateur rider with 20 victories under National Hunt rules during the 1960s.
Peter's first winner: Pendragon, Wye, October 28 1935
Peter's first winner: Pendragon, Wye, October 28 1935
Peter with his future wife
Peter with his future wife
Peter and Suzanne with steeplechaser Balreask Tor
Peter and Suzanne with steeplechaser Balreask Tor