Dick Woodhouse
(1929 - 1983)
(1929 - 1983)
Dorset owner-trainer-rider Richard Harold Woodhouse – better known as Dick Woodhouse – was born on February 4, 1929. He won the Cheltenham Foxhunters twice, firstly on 33/1 outsider Woodside Terrace in 1965, his first winning ride under National Hunt rules. Two years earlier he had paid just 360 guineas for Woodside Terrace at the Ascot Sales as a ten-year-old, not a bad price for a horse that had finished runner-up in the 1958 Ebor Handicap.
Dorset owner-trainer-rider Richard Harold Woodhouse – better known as Dick Woodhouse – was born on February 4, 1929. He won the Cheltenham Foxhunters twice, firstly on 33/1 outsider Woodside Terrace in 1965, his first winning ride under National Hunt rules. Two years earlier he had paid just 360 guineas for Woodside Terrace at the Ascot Sales as a ten-year-old, not a bad price for a horse that had finished runner-up in the 1958 Ebor Handicap.
His second Cheltenham Foxhunters triumph was achieved on Highworth in 1970. Highworth was a worthy successor to Woodside Terrace, winning eight hunter cases and 15 point-to-points for his owner-rider. They took their chance in the 1971 Grand National but were already tailed off when being baulked and refusing at the eleventh fence. Sadly, Highworth collapsed and died, aged 14, after finishing fifth in the men’s open at the Taunton Vale point-to-point in April 1973.
His second Cheltenham Foxhunters triumph was achieved on Highworth in 1970. Highworth was a worthy successor to Woodside Terrace, winning eight hunter cases and 15 point-to-points for his owner-rider. They took their chance in the 1971 Grand National but were already tailed off when being baulked and refusing at the eleventh fence. Sadly, Highworth collapsed and died, aged 14, after finishing fifth in the men’s open at the Taunton Vale point-to-point in April 1973.
In 1980, Dick, by then aged 51, rode his 50th winner on Exhibit B in the members’ race at the PPOA meeting.
In 1980, Dick, by then aged 51, rode his 50th winner on Exhibit B in the members’ race at the PPOA meeting.
A joint-master of the Portman Hunt from 1969 to 1980, Dick Woodhouse died on his birthday, February 4, 1983, aged 54.
A joint-master of the Portman Hunt from 1969 to 1980, Dick Woodhouse died on his birthday, February 4, 1983, aged 54.
His widow, Susan, continued to own and breed pointers, notably Hops And Pops, a winner of three chases and six hurdle races for Robert Alner, before achieving success as a broodmare. Susan kept her husband’s memory alive with a trophy she presented annually at the PPORA luncheon at Stratford Racecourse to the leading owner-rider of the season.
His widow, Susan, continued to own and breed pointers, notably Hops And Pops, a winner of three chases and six hurdle races for Robert Alner, before achieving success as a broodmare. Susan kept her husband’s memory alive with a trophy she presented annually at the PPORA luncheon at Stratford Racecourse to the leading owner-rider of the season.
Susan died in October 2008, aged 78. Today the couple are commemorated by the Dick and Sue Woodhouse Memorial Hunters’ Chase (For The Dick Woodhouse Trophy) at Wincanton.
Susan died in October 2008, aged 78. Today the couple are commemorated by the Dick and Sue Woodhouse Memorial Hunters’ Chase (For The Dick Woodhouse Trophy) at Wincanton.
