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Gordon Ward
Gordon Ward
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Although Gordon George Ward rode one winner on the Flat in 1949, it seemed that he would enjoy a much more promising career over jumps when recording eight wins in his first full season under National Hunt rules.
Although Gordon George Ward rode one winner on the Flat in 1949, it seemed that he would enjoy a much more promising career over jumps when recording eight wins in his first full season under National Hunt rules.
Apprenticed to Charles Pratt at Lambourn, his sole success on the Flat was at Salisbury on August 24, 1949, when Gay One finished strongly to win the Ogbourne Two-Year-Old Selling Plate, beating Indenture by a head.
Apprenticed to Charles Pratt at Lambourn, his sole success on the Flat was at Salisbury on August 24, 1949, when Gay One finished strongly to win the Ogbourne Two-Year-Old Selling Plate, beating Indenture by a head.
Gordon turned his attention to the jumps early in 1953 and had his first ride on El Grandor in the Selling Hurdle at Stratford on April 9, finishing second, albeit beaten ten lengths, by River Trout.
Gordon turned his attention to the jumps early in 1953 and had his first ride on El Grandor in the Selling Hurdle at Stratford on April 9, finishing second, albeit beaten ten lengths, by River Trout.
His first win over obstacles came the following season, when Sunflax, also trained by Charles Pratt, won the Clovelly Three-Year-Old Hurdle at Newton Abbot on October 2, 1953. Having taken the lead on, they stayed on resolutely to beat Glamorgan by four lengths.
His first win over obstacles came the following season, when Sunflax, also trained by Charles Pratt, won the Clovelly Three-Year-Old Hurdle at Newton Abbot on October 2, 1953. Having taken the lead on, they stayed on resolutely to beat Glamorgan by four lengths.
Seven more winners followed before the end of the season, three for Charles Pratt and four for other Lambourn trainers. However, the 1954/55 campaign did not go so well, registering just two wins. He won on Florogen at Stratford in October for Findon trainer Harry Davison and had his final success on El Grandor for Charles Pratt at Worcester on March 21, 1955, when the partnership beat Six Wings by eight lengths in the Hanbury Selling Hurdle.
Seven more winners followed before the end of the season, three for Charles Pratt and four for other Lambourn trainers. However, the 1954/55 campaign did not go so well, registering just two wins. He won on Florogen at Stratford in October for Findon trainer Harry Davison and had his final success on El Grandor for Charles Pratt at Worcester on March 21, 1955, when the partnership beat Six Wings by eight lengths in the Hanbury Selling Hurdle.
Gordon’s last ride was on Lorance, owned by Keith Piggott, trailing in last of ten finishers in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury von January 18, 1956.
Gordon’s last ride was on Lorance, owned by Keith Piggott, trailing in last of ten finishers in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury von January 18, 1956.
Gordon Ward’s winners were, in chronological order.
Gordon Ward’s winners were, in chronological order.
1. Gay One, Salisbury, August 24, 1949
1. Gay One, Salisbury, August 24, 1949
2. Sunflax, Newton Abbot, October 2, 1953
2. Sunflax, Newton Abbot, October 2, 1953
3. Sunflax, Wincanton, November 5, 1953
3. Sunflax, Wincanton, November 5, 1953
4. Sunflax, Wincanton, November 19, 1953
4. Sunflax, Wincanton, November 19, 1953
5. El Grandor, Windsor, November 25, 1953
5. El Grandor, Windsor, November 25, 1953
6. Glamorgan, Liverpool, December 2, 1953
6. Glamorgan, Liverpool, December 2, 1953
7. Waxen Image, Birmingham, February 16, 1954
7. Waxen Image, Birmingham, February 16, 1954
8. Noir Buoy, Worcester, February 27, 1954
8. Noir Buoy, Worcester, February 27, 1954
9. Solobay, Towcester, May 15, 1954
9. Solobay, Towcester, May 15, 1954
10. Florogen, Stratford-on-Avon, October 7, 1954
10. Florogen, Stratford-on-Avon, October 7, 1954
11. El Grandor, Worcester, March 21, 1955
11. El Grandor, Worcester, March 21, 1955
Gordon Ward's first NH winner, Sunflax
Gordon's final winner, El Grandor
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