Eric Walton
Eric Walton
Eric Walton
Eric Walton was a popular figure in northern racing circles. He held a National Hunt jockey’s licence for 10 years from 1948 to 1958 and rode a total of 24 winners over jumps.
Eric Walton was a popular figure in northern racing circles. He held a National Hunt jockey’s licence for 10 years from 1948 to 1958 and rode a total of 24 winners over jumps.
Prior to going jumping he had served his apprenticeship with Percy Vasey at Wetherby and enjoyed some success on the Flat, most notably when, as a 7lb claimer, he won the Lowther Handicap at Redcar on June 10, 1946 aboard 100-8 shot Sultana, beating none other than Harry Wragg on the 5-2 favourite Silver Bill by a neck. The Racing-up-to-Date form book comment for Sultana reads: “Strong challenge 2f out, got up on post after struggle with Silver Bill last 200yds.”
Prior to going jumping he had served his apprenticeship with Percy Vasey at Wetherby and enjoyed some success on the Flat, most notably when, as a 7lb claimer, he won the Lowther Handicap at Redcar on June 10, 1946 aboard 100-8 shot Sultana, beating none other than Harry Wragg on the 5-2 favourite Silver Bill by a neck. The Racing-up-to-Date form book comment for Sultana reads: “Strong challenge 2f out, got up on post after struggle with Silver Bill last 200yds.”
In addition to Percy Vasey, in his early career Eric rode winners for Ted Gifford and David Oates among others, while in later years he rode mainly for Dringhouses, Yorkshire trainer Tommy Dent.
In addition to Percy Vasey, in his early career Eric rode winners for Ted Gifford and David Oates among others, while in later years he rode mainly for Dringhouses, Yorkshire trainer Tommy Dent.
His three wins in the 1951/52 campaign all came courtesy of selling hurdler Broadmoor at Catterick, Wetherby and Kelso. He again rode three winners in the 1952/53 season, including a double at Southwell on April 2, 1953 aboard two Dent-trained hurdlers, Allard and Pudsey Triumph.
His three wins in the 1951/52 campaign all came courtesy of selling hurdler Broadmoor at Catterick, Wetherby and Kelso. He again rode three winners in the 1952/53 season, including a double at Southwell on April 2, 1953 aboard two Dent-trained hurdlers, Allard and Pudsey Triumph.
He enjoyed his best season numerically in 1953/54 with five wins, including two on Dent’s juvenile hurdler Knavesmire at Southwell and Manchester.
He enjoyed his best season numerically in 1953/54 with five wins, including two on Dent’s juvenile hurdler Knavesmire at Southwell and Manchester.
Eric’s last winner was the biggest of his career, Shimmering Way, trained by Percy Vasey, in the Montagu Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby on April 23, 1957. He retired the following season.
Eric’s last winner was the biggest of his career, Shimmering Way, trained by Percy Vasey, in the Montagu Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby on April 23, 1957. He retired the following season.
He was landlord of the Crown Inn in Wetherby for many years. The Crown became the watering hole for the racing fraternity. On returning to the south from northern meetings there would always be someone who said “Oh, let’s call in and see Eric on the way back.”
He was landlord of the Crown Inn in Wetherby for many years. The Crown became the watering hole for the racing fraternity. On returning to the south from northern meetings there would always be someone who said “Oh, let’s call in and see Eric on the way back.”
In later years, he was responsible for supervising race-day staff at Wetherby. He also rode out for local trainer Richard Whitaker.
In later years, he was responsible for supervising race-day staff at Wetherby. He also rode out for local trainer Richard Whitaker.
Eric Walton died on the evening of Wednesday, June 5, 1991 following a short illness. He was 62.
Eric Walton died on the evening of Wednesday, June 5, 1991 following a short illness. He was 62.
Additional information supplied by John Donkin.
Additional information supplied by John Donkin.