Richard Vines
Soldier rider Richard John Vines rode in 12 editions of the Royal Artillery Gold Cup – popularly known as the ‘Gunners’ Gold Cup’ – at Sandown Park between 1963 and 1977, winning it twice. Being unable to ride at less than 12 stone, he pretty much restricted himself to riding in military races under National Hunt rules.
Soldier rider Richard John Vines rode in 12 editions of the Royal Artillery Gold Cup – popularly known as the ‘Gunners’ Gold Cup’ – at Sandown Park between 1963 and 1977, winning it twice. Being unable to ride at less than 12 stone, he pretty much restricted himself to riding in military races under National Hunt rules.
His first ventures were in 1963 on a horse named Domahoney Bee, whom he both owned and trained. They completed the course in ninth place in the Grand Military Hunters’ Chase at Sandown’s Grand Military meeting but parted company at the tenth fence in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup.
His first ventures were in 1963 on a horse named Domahoney Bee, whom he both owned and trained. They completed the course in ninth place in the Grand Military Hunters’ Chase at Sandown’s Grand Military meeting but parted company at the tenth fence in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup.
However, his second attempt at the race, on March 31, 1965, resulted in victory aboard Major E. M. W. Cliff-McCulloch’s promising six-year-old The Ringer, trained by Arthur Stephenson. By far the best horse in that year’s field, The Ringer was made the odds-on favourite and led after a mile, though in the end he only just scraped home by a neck from the 14-year-old veteran Monk’s Choice.
However, his second attempt at the race, on March 31, 1965, resulted in victory aboard Major E. M. W. Cliff-McCulloch’s promising six-year-old The Ringer, trained by Arthur Stephenson. By far the best horse in that year’s field, The Ringer was made the odds-on favourite and led after a mile, though in the end he only just scraped home by a neck from the 14-year-old veteran Monk’s Choice.
Captain Vines finished third the following year on Domasol but had no mount in 1967. After that came his association with Captain R. D. Kennedy’s horse Knight of Gold. Captain Vines rode him in three successive Royal Artillery Gold Cups, finishing fourth in 1968, third in 1969 and winning it in 1970. As with his previous success five years earlier, the margin of victory was only a neck, Knight of Gold just holding off the strong late challenge of David Wales on the favourite Blue Willie.
Captain Vines finished third the following year on Domasol but had no mount in 1967. After that came his association with Captain R. D. Kennedy’s horse Knight of Gold. Captain Vines rode him in three successive Royal Artillery Gold Cups, finishing fourth in 1968, third in 1969 and winning it in 1970. As with his previous success five years earlier, the margin of victory was only a neck, Knight of Gold just holding off the strong late challenge of David Wales on the favourite Blue Willie.
Captain Vines finished fourth in each of the next four Royal Artillery Gold Cups, each time on a different horse. In 1976 he finished fifth on the 2-1 favourite Playbill, who had won the previous year when ridden by David Wales.
Captain Vines finished fourth in each of the next four Royal Artillery Gold Cups, each time on a different horse. In 1976 he finished fifth on the 2-1 favourite Playbill, who had won the previous year when ridden by David Wales.
His twelfth and final mount in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup was 20-1 shot Mick’s Worry in 1977, the partnership being tailed off when pulling up before the eighteenth fence.
His twelfth and final mount in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup was 20-1 shot Mick’s Worry in 1977, the partnership being tailed off when pulling up before the eighteenth fence.