Danny Wright
Daniel Thomas Wright was born on December 6, 1972. He was apprenticed to Mel Brittain, Stuart Williams and Alan Bailey and rode out his claim in the process of partnering 112 winners in Britain.
Daniel Thomas Wright was born on December 6, 1972. He was apprenticed to Mel Brittain, Stuart Williams and Alan Bailey and rode out his claim in the process of partnering 112 winners in Britain.
They included the 1993 Carlisle Bell on Queen Warrior.
They included the 1993 Carlisle Bell on Queen Warrior.
He posted a score of 22 winners in 1996, his last year as an apprentice, but thereafter he struggled to get mounts and his tally dropped to 14 in 1997 and just two (both for Alan Bailey) from 82 mounts in 1998. In December that year he left Britain to live and ride work in America.
He posted a score of 22 winners in 1996, his last year as an apprentice, but thereafter he struggled to get mounts and his tally dropped to 14 in 1997 and just two (both for Alan Bailey) from 82 mounts in 1998. In December that year he left Britain to live and ride work in America.
On April 14, 2000, after he had finished his afternoon duties at Keeneland racecourse in Lexington, Kentucky, he offered to give fellow former northern-based rider Paul Burke a lift back to his digs a mile away. Burke, who was 35, had ridden around 200 winners in Britain and abroad in the 1980s, and had moved to America in 1997. The pair became close friends.
On April 14, 2000, after he had finished his afternoon duties at Keeneland racecourse in Lexington, Kentucky, he offered to give fellow former northern-based rider Paul Burke a lift back to his digs a mile away. Burke, who was 35, had ridden around 200 winners in Britain and abroad in the 1980s, and had moved to America in 1997. The pair became close friends.
Danny was driving his pick-up truck in Lexington, Kentucky, in the belief that Burke was asleep in the back when it appeared his friend stood up and fell from the vehicle, hitting a metal post-box standing at the roadside. Burke died from massive chest and head injuries. It was a freak accident.
Danny was driving his pick-up truck in Lexington, Kentucky, in the belief that Burke was asleep in the back when it appeared his friend stood up and fell from the vehicle, hitting a metal post-box standing at the roadside. Burke died from massive chest and head injuries. It was a freak accident.
From a newspaper at the time...
From a newspaper at the time...
Former jockey Danny Wright is facing the threat of criminal prosecution in America in connection with the road accident in which his fellow former northern-based rider Paul Burke was killed earlier this month.
Former jockey Danny Wright is facing the threat of criminal prosecution in America in connection with the road accident in which his fellow former northern-based rider Paul Burke was killed earlier this month.
Wright was driving his pick-up truck in Lexington, Kentucky, in the belief that Burke was asleep in the back when it appears his friend stood up and fell from the vehicle, hitting a metal post-box standing at the roadside. Burke died from massive chest and head injuries.
Wright was driving his pick-up truck in Lexington, Kentucky, in the belief that Burke was asleep in the back when it appears his friend stood up and fell from the vehicle, hitting a metal post-box standing at the roadside. Burke died from massive chest and head injuries.
In preparation for a hearing set for May 10 at which Wright will learn if he is to face charges, his former employers Alan Bailey and David Nicholls yesterday between them pledged £3,000 towards the £10,000 the 27-year-old urgently needs to cover immediate legal expenses, and any bond payment necessary to ensure he does not have to be held in custody if it is decided he has a case to answer.
In preparation for a hearing set for May 10 at which Wright will learn if he is to face charges, his former employers Alan Bailey and David Nicholls yesterday between them pledged £3,000 towards the £10,000 the 27-year-old urgently needs to cover immediate legal expenses, and any bond payment necessary to ensure he does not have to be held in custody if it is decided he has a case to answer.
Another to take up the cause is Dean McKeown, who is urging his fellow jockeys to support a special fighting fund. Anyone wanting to make a donation to the Danny Wright Collection should forward cheques to the Jockeys' Association office in Newbury.
Another to take up the cause is Dean McKeown, who is urging his fellow jockeys to support a special fighting fund. Anyone wanting to make a donation to the Danny Wright Collection should forward cheques to the Jockeys' Association office in Newbury.
Speaking from the Lexington motel where he is staying, Wright said last night: "I am worried sick. I just don't know what is going to happen to me. I am still in shock over Paul's death and now I find out that I could be in serious trouble.'
Speaking from the Lexington motel where he is staying, Wright said last night: "I am worried sick. I just don't know what is going to happen to me. I am still in shock over Paul's death and now I find out that I could be in serious trouble.'
"All I really want to do is to get back to Britain as soon as possible, but I have to attend a hearing on May 10 when it will be decided if I am going to be charged."
"All I really want to do is to get back to Britain as soon as possible, but I have to attend a hearing on May 10 when it will be decided if I am going to be charged."
Informed that fund-raising is under way on his behalf this side of the Atlantic, Wright was obviously moved and said: "In my situation, I am grateful for all the help I can get and I would like to thank everybody who gives any money."
Informed that fund-raising is under way on his behalf this side of the Atlantic, Wright was obviously moved and said: "In my situation, I am grateful for all the help I can get and I would like to thank everybody who gives any money."
Wright, who was apprenticed to Mel Brittain, Stuart Williams and Bailey, rode out his claim in the process of partnering 112 winners in Britain, but, after struggling to get mounts, left 20 months ago to ride work in the US.
Wright, who was apprenticed to Mel Brittain, Stuart Williams and Bailey, rode out his claim in the process of partnering 112 winners in Britain, but, after struggling to get mounts, left 20 months ago to ride work in the US.
Burke, who was 35, had around 200 winners in Britain and abroad in the 1980s,and made the same move three years ago when the pair became close friends.
Burke, who was 35, had around 200 winners in Britain and abroad in the 1980s,and made the same move three years ago when the pair became close friends.
Wright explained that the accident, on April 14, occurred after he had finished his afternoon duties at Keeneland racecourse and he was returning Burke to his digs a mile away.
Wright explained that the accident, on April 14, occurred after he had finished his afternoon duties at Keeneland racecourse and he was returning Burke to his digs a mile away.
"I was just doing a mate a favour and I can't believe it has ended up like this," he said. "Paul was asleep in the back of my pick-up and I suppose the movement must have woken him up and he didn't realise where he was and what was happening, and he fell out of the truck.
"I was just doing a mate a favour and I can't believe it has ended up like this," he said. "Paul was asleep in the back of my pick-up and I suppose the movement must have woken him up and he didn't realise where he was and what was happening, and he fell out of the truck.
"It was a complete freak accident, but knowing that doesn't make it any easier to come to terms with. I am devastated and wish I could turn the clock back."
"It was a complete freak accident, but knowing that doesn't make it any easier to come to terms with. I am devastated and wish I could turn the clock back."
Burke's body was flown back to Britain on Friday and an inquest opened and adjourned in Middlesbrough yesterday. The funeral takes place in Stockton on Tuesday.
Burke's body was flown back to Britain on Friday and an inquest opened and adjourned in Middlesbrough yesterday. The funeral takes place in Stockton on Tuesday.
Burke's father Michael said last night: "The death of my son was a tragic accident and I and my family have every sympathy for the situation Danny Wright now finds himself in. We are certainly prepared to write a letter to the court in America if that would help him."
Burke's father Michael said last night: "The death of my son was a tragic accident and I and my family have every sympathy for the situation Danny Wright now finds himself in. We are certainly prepared to write a letter to the court in America if that would help him."
McKeown said: "If all the jockeys contribute £100 or a riding fee to the fighting fund, and owners and trainers who know Danny also make a donation, we should soon raise the £10,000 in time for his hearing on May 10."
McKeown said: "If all the jockeys contribute £100 or a riding fee to the fighting fund, and owners and trainers who know Danny also make a donation, we should soon raise the £10,000 in time for his hearing on May 10."