Brian Walker

Brian Walker

Article by Alan Trout

Brian Walker rode 11 winners under National Hunt rules during a career that started in 1956. His first ride, on March 19, was an unplaced one, aboard Dream Approach in the Slaphouse Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) at Ayr. 

His initial success came at Kelso on May 2, 1957, when Spangle trained by Verley Bewicke at Alnwick, Northumberland, won the Springwood, Novices’ Chase, coming with a late run to catch Olympiad and win by two lengths. 

Brian did not ride another winner for over three years, although he did not hold a licence for part of that time. When he did return, he won four races on the hurdler Billycan, trained by Harry Bell. 

At the start of the 1961/62 season, Brian joined Droitwich-based owner-trainer Hugh Sumner, who provided all of his five wins over the next two seasons, including an Easter Monday double in 1962 on King’s Admiral in the Ashperton Handicap Chase and Scottish Royalty in the Novices’ Chase.

Another long gap ensued, again over three years, before a return to the north brought him a final victory at Newcastle on May 13, 1966, when Aquacrete, owned and trained by Freddie Milburn at Riding Mill, Northumberland, won the Meagastone Handicap Chase by five lengths. The 11-year-old winning his first race of the season at the 13th attempt.

Brian Walker’s winners were, in chronological order.

1. Spangle, Kelso, May 2, 1957 

2. Billycan, Sedgefield, December 26, 1960

3. Billycan, Catterick Bridge, December 31, 1960

4. Billycan, Wetherby, February 15, 1961

5. Billycan, Ayr, March 18, 1961

6. Perfect Poise, Hereford, November 2, 1961

7. King’s Admiral, Wolverhampton, February 19, 1962

8. King’s Admiral, Hereford, April 23, 1962

9. Scottish Royalty, Hereford, April 23, 1962

10. Scottish Royalty, Birmingham, November 13, 1962

11. Aquacrete, Newcastle, May 13, 1966