Ian Watkinson
Born on October 9, 1948, National Hunt jockey Ian Watkinson rode 205 winners between 1966 and a career-ending fall in 1979, including a Hennessy Gold Cup and multiple wins on three of the outstanding names of post-war jumping: Tingle Creek, Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse.
Born on October 9, 1948, National Hunt jockey Ian Watkinson rode 205 winners between 1966 and a career-ending fall in 1979, including a Hennessy Gold Cup and multiple wins on three of the outstanding names of post-war jumping: Tingle Creek, Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse.
Although born in Newmarket, Ian’s family had no connection with racing. His father served in the Royal Navy and had ambitions for his son to follow in his footsteps.
Although born in Newmarket, Ian’s family had no connection with racing. His father served in the Royal Navy and had ambitions for his son to follow in his footsteps.
When he was about ten, he began working at weekends for two local trainers, Pat Moore and John Powney. They taught him to ride and by the time he was thirteen he was allowed to school horses.
When he was about ten, he began working at weekends for two local trainers, Pat Moore and John Powney. They taught him to ride and by the time he was thirteen he was allowed to school horses.
The turning point came when he got a ride in a point-to-point at Moulton at the age of sixteen. He rode a horse called Moment Of Madness and, although he didn’t win, by halfway round the first circuit, having jumped a few fences, he knew his naval career was over before it began and that riding in races was what he wanted to do.
The turning point came when he got a ride in a point-to-point at Moulton at the age of sixteen. He rode a horse called Moment Of Madness and, although he didn’t win, by halfway round the first circuit, having jumped a few fences, he knew his naval career was over before it began and that riding in races was what he wanted to do.
In order to achieve that ambition, he headed north to Penrith and joined Tom Robson’s Greystoke stable. He made the perfect start to his race-riding career by winning on his first mount in public, the grey Charles Cotton in the Shire Selling Handicap Hurdle at Hexham on May 28, 1966, a conditional jockeys’ race, beating future triple Grand National-winning jockey Brian Fletcher on Press Button B by a neck.
In order to achieve that ambition, he headed north to Penrith and joined Tom Robson’s Greystoke stable. He made the perfect start to his race-riding career by winning on his first mount in public, the grey Charles Cotton in the Shire Selling Handicap Hurdle at Hexham on May 28, 1966, a conditional jockeys’ race, beating future triple Grand National-winning jockey Brian Fletcher on Press Button B by a neck.
He rode six winners in each of the next two seasons. Prior to the start of the 1968/69 campaign, Ken Oliver offered him the job of riding as second jockey to Barry Brogan. With Robson in the process of winding down, it looked like a good opportunity.
He rode six winners in each of the next two seasons. Prior to the start of the 1968/69 campaign, Ken Oliver offered him the job of riding as second jockey to Barry Brogan. With Robson in the process of winding down, it looked like a good opportunity.
Ian’s main memory of his time at Oliver’s was that he was by then training Flyingbolt, who had once been rated within a pound of Arkle when they were both trained by Tom Dreaper. Ian used to ride Flyingbolt out virtually every day. However, lack of riding opportunities meant that he didn’t stay long at Oliver’s.
Ian’s main memory of his time at Oliver’s was that he was by then training Flyingbolt, who had once been rated within a pound of Arkle when they were both trained by Tom Dreaper. Ian used to ride Flyingbolt out virtually every day. However, lack of riding opportunities meant that he didn’t stay long at Oliver’s.
He rode nine winners in the 1968/69 season and eight in 1969/70. But with Robson having retired, his main source of rides dried up. It was a point in his life when things weren’t going well and he dropped out of racing for six months.
He rode nine winners in the 1968/69 season and eight in 1969/70. But with Robson having retired, his main source of rides dried up. It was a point in his life when things weren’t going well and he dropped out of racing for six months.
Looking to rekindle his enthusiasm, he joined Peter Ransom, who trained at Wigmore, near Ludlow. However, he only had two dozen rides all that season, and fourteen of them fell. His sole winner was Frontiersman in a novice chase at Southwell on the Saturday of the Easter bank holiday weekend.
Looking to rekindle his enthusiasm, he joined Peter Ransom, who trained at Wigmore, near Ludlow. However, he only had two dozen rides all that season, and fourteen of them fell. His sole winner was Frontiersman in a novice chase at Southwell on the Saturday of the Easter bank holiday weekend.
In the autumn of that year, 1971, he returned to Newmarket and rode out for Bill O’Gorman, an old school friend, who was then training a mixed string. O’Gorman suggested that Ian joined him and rode some of his jumpers. It was the best decision Ian ever made because, thanks to O’Gorman, he got the racing bug back. He finished the 1971/72 season with five winners from 85 mounts.
In the autumn of that year, 1971, he returned to Newmarket and rode out for Bill O’Gorman, an old school friend, who was then training a mixed string. O’Gorman suggested that Ian joined him and rode some of his jumpers. It was the best decision Ian ever made because, thanks to O’Gorman, he got the racing bug back. He finished the 1971/72 season with five winners from 85 mounts.
Nonetheless, he was still finding it an uphill struggle, so he decided to try his luck in America as a work rider. He left for New York in May 1972, arriving at Belmont Park, where he worked for trainer Elliott Burch. He didn’t stay long, finding it little more than a galloping factory. Also, he was missing the jumps.
Nonetheless, he was still finding it an uphill struggle, so he decided to try his luck in America as a work rider. He left for New York in May 1972, arriving at Belmont Park, where he worked for trainer Elliott Burch. He didn’t stay long, finding it little more than a galloping factory. Also, he was missing the jumps.
He returned to Newmarket and went back to see O’Gorman. He also started riding work for Dave Thom. He rode seven winners from 136 mounts that (72/73) season, then six from 75 the next. They were mostly for local Newmarket trainers such as O’Gorman, Thom, Neville Callaghan, Bill Holden and Fiddler Goodwill.
He returned to Newmarket and went back to see O’Gorman. He also started riding work for Dave Thom. He rode seven winners from 136 mounts that (72/73) season, then six from 75 the next. They were mostly for local Newmarket trainers such as O’Gorman, Thom, Neville Callaghan, Bill Holden and Fiddler Goodwill.
In the autumn of 1973, Ian joined Harry Thomson (Tom) Jones at Green Lodge Stables, effectively as a stable lad. Although he still held a jockey’s licence, he had no real thought of getting rides.
In the autumn of 1973, Ian joined Harry Thomson (Tom) Jones at Green Lodge Stables, effectively as a stable lad. Although he still held a jockey’s licence, he had no real thought of getting rides.
Then, on October 26, 1974, he rode a treble at Huntingdon, winning both divisions of the three-year-old hurdle for Fiddler Goodwill on Golden Days and Speed Cop and the novice chase for John Webber on Hazelestyn.
Then, on October 26, 1974, he rode a treble at Huntingdon, winning both divisions of the three-year-old hurdle for Fiddler Goodwill on Golden Days and Speed Cop and the novice chase for John Webber on Hazelestyn.
Two months later, he rode his first winner for Tom Jones on Fezeyot, dead-heating with Lord Oaksey on Clonmellon. After that he began to get more rides for Jones, including another winning one on Fezeyot in the Mitchells & Butlers Handicap Chase at Wolverhampton in February. Having never before reached double figures in a season, hr ended the 1974/75 campaign with 22 wins from 242 rides.
Two months later, he rode his first winner for Tom Jones on Fezeyot, dead-heating with Lord Oaksey on Clonmellon. After that he began to get more rides for Jones, including another winning one on Fezeyot in the Mitchells & Butlers Handicap Chase at Wolverhampton in February. Having never before reached double figures in a season, hr ended the 1974/75 campaign with 22 wins from 242 rides.
When Tom Jones’ stable jockey David Mould decided to retire at the start of the 1975/76 season, Ian stepped into the role. Among his favourite horses was Sweet Joe, on whom he won four times that season, including Lingfield’s Summit Junior Hurdle and the Victor Ludorum at Haydock.
When Tom Jones’ stable jockey David Mould decided to retire at the start of the 1975/76 season, Ian stepped into the role. Among his favourite horses was Sweet Joe, on whom he won four times that season, including Lingfield’s Summit Junior Hurdle and the Victor Ludorum at Haydock.
Jones also trained the flamboyant two-mile chaser Tingle Creek. Ian won seven races on him, including the Castleford Chase at Wetherby, the Express Chase at Sandown, and Stratford’s Virgina Gold Cup.
Jones also trained the flamboyant two-mile chaser Tingle Creek. Ian won seven races on him, including the Castleford Chase at Wetherby, the Express Chase at Sandown, and Stratford’s Virgina Gold Cup.
He made the perfect start to 1976 by winning the four-mile Bass Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day aboard Jolly’s Clump. He was due to ride him in the Brooke Bond Oxo National at Warwick later that month but had a fall at Market Rasen three days before and broke a collarbone. He arranged to see a surgeon at Bury St Edmunds Hospital on the Saturday morning and was given an injection into the collarbone to dull the pain. Fellow jockey Neale Doughty drove him to Warwick. Unfortunately, Jolly’s Clump stumbled on the way to the start and pulled the collarbone out again, but because of the pain killers injected, Ian was able to shrug off the discomfort and brought Jolly’s Clump home a winner.
He made the perfect start to 1976 by winning the four-mile Bass Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day aboard Jolly’s Clump. He was due to ride him in the Brooke Bond Oxo National at Warwick later that month but had a fall at Market Rasen three days before and broke a collarbone. He arranged to see a surgeon at Bury St Edmunds Hospital on the Saturday morning and was given an injection into the collarbone to dull the pain. Fellow jockey Neale Doughty drove him to Warwick. Unfortunately, Jolly’s Clump stumbled on the way to the start and pulled the collarbone out again, but because of the pain killers injected, Ian was able to shrug off the discomfort and brought Jolly’s Clump home a winner.
He rode Jolly's Clump to finish thirteenth in the 1976 Grand National. Ian's only other attempt at the National, in 1977, resulted in a fall at the Chair on Sage Merlin, nearly bringing down Red Rum and preventing a slice of racing history being made.
He rode Jolly's Clump to finish thirteenth in the 1976 Grand National. Ian's only other attempt at the National, in 1977, resulted in a fall at the Chair on Sage Merlin, nearly bringing down Red Rum and preventing a slice of racing history being made.
He achieved his most important success in November 1976 when winning the Hennessy Gold Cup on Zeta’s Son, trained by Peter Bailey. He became Bailey’s stable jockey the following season and rode perhaps his greatest race when winning on Prince Rock in the four-mile Bass Chase at Cheltenham’s New Year meeting, the race he’d won two years earlier on Jolly’s Clump.
He achieved his most important success in November 1976 when winning the Hennessy Gold Cup on Zeta’s Son, trained by Peter Bailey. He became Bailey’s stable jockey the following season and rode perhaps his greatest race when winning on Prince Rock in the four-mile Bass Chase at Cheltenham’s New Year meeting, the race he’d won two years earlier on Jolly’s Clump.
Whereas most top jockeys, having got themselves into that position, would pick and choose and leave the dodgy rides to the younger lads or the more unfashionable riders, Ian rarely turned down a ride. This inevitably led to more than his share of bad falls and broken bones.
Whereas most top jockeys, having got themselves into that position, would pick and choose and leave the dodgy rides to the younger lads or the more unfashionable riders, Ian rarely turned down a ride. This inevitably led to more than his share of bad falls and broken bones.
They weren’t always a direct result of race falls either. On one occasion, he took a spill at the fence just past the stands at Sedgefield. One of the following horses wiped his feet over Ian’s head, leaving him slightly dazed. Two elderly St John Ambulance men loaded him onto a stretcher and headed off towards the weighing room. Once on the tarmac, they started to jog across it, but the one at the back stumbled, shooting Ian off the stretcher. He landed flat on his face and broke his nose.
They weren’t always a direct result of race falls either. On one occasion, he took a spill at the fence just past the stands at Sedgefield. One of the following horses wiped his feet over Ian’s head, leaving him slightly dazed. Two elderly St John Ambulance men loaded him onto a stretcher and headed off towards the weighing room. Once on the tarmac, they started to jog across it, but the one at the back stumbled, shooting Ian off the stretcher. He landed flat on his face and broke his nose.
He had ridden the Peter Easterby-trained Sea Pigeon to win the Embassy Handicap Hurdle at Haydock in January 1977 and was due to ride him in the 1978 Champion Hurdle. However, he broke his pelvis of the eve of the meeting in a fall at Southwell. Sea Pigeon finished second to Monksfield, primarily due to the replacement jockey moving too soon on a horse that needed holding up. Given Ian’s patient style of riding, he would very likely have won.
He had ridden the Peter Easterby-trained Sea Pigeon to win the Embassy Handicap Hurdle at Haydock in January 1977 and was due to ride him in the 1978 Champion Hurdle. However, he broke his pelvis of the eve of the meeting in a fall at Southwell. Sea Pigeon finished second to Monksfield, primarily due to the replacement jockey moving too soon on a horse that needed holding up. Given Ian’s patient style of riding, he would very likely have won.
When Easterby’s stable jockey Jonjo O’Neill broke an arm in a fall at Kelso early the following season, Ian got the call up to ride Sea Pigeon and also Night Nurse. In October, he rode Night Nurse to win the Bobby Renton Chase at Wetherby and Sea Pigeon to land the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury on his seasonal debut.
When Easterby’s stable jockey Jonjo O’Neill broke an arm in a fall at Kelso early the following season, Ian got the call up to ride Sea Pigeon and also Night Nurse. In October, he rode Night Nurse to win the Bobby Renton Chase at Wetherby and Sea Pigeon to land the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury on his seasonal debut.
He then enjoyed a great day at Newcastle on November 18, 1978, winning the Fighting Fifth Hurdle on Sea Pigeon, then half an hour later steering Night Nurse to win an Embassy Chase Qualifier by a distance.
He then enjoyed a great day at Newcastle on November 18, 1978, winning the Fighting Fifth Hurdle on Sea Pigeon, then half an hour later steering Night Nurse to win an Embassy Chase Qualifier by a distance.
The following month he rode Night Nurse to victory in the Killiney Novices’ Chase at Ascot, but within an hour he had broken his sternum when taking a crashing fall on Strombolus in the S.G.B. Chase.
The following month he rode Night Nurse to victory in the Killiney Novices’ Chase at Ascot, but within an hour he had broken his sternum when taking a crashing fall on Strombolus in the S.G.B. Chase.
In March 1979, Ian and Night Nurse finished second to Silver Buck in the Embassy Premier Chase Final at Haydock. Given the chance to ride the race again, he admits he would have done things differently. However, he never got a chance to make amends because, within a week, his career as a jockey was ended by a fall at Towcester.
In March 1979, Ian and Night Nurse finished second to Silver Buck in the Embassy Premier Chase Final at Haydock. Given the chance to ride the race again, he admits he would have done things differently. However, he never got a chance to make amends because, within a week, his career as a jockey was ended by a fall at Towcester.
He rode what turned out to be his last winner on Plastic Cup in a Plumpton selling hurdle on March 6, 1979. Three days later, he headed for Towcester for a book of four rides. The third of them, Regal Choice, gave him a bone-crushing fall at the final ditch. He suffered a serious concussion and has no recollection of anything more from that day until June, three months later.
He rode what turned out to be his last winner on Plastic Cup in a Plumpton selling hurdle on March 6, 1979. Three days later, he headed for Towcester for a book of four rides. The third of them, Regal Choice, gave him a bone-crushing fall at the final ditch. He suffered a serious concussion and has no recollection of anything more from that day until June, three months later.
That summer he re-applied for his licence but it kept getting deferred. In August he went to see the Jockey Club’s surgeon who informed him that the risk of another blow on the head causing serious and permanent damage was too great. His career was over.
That summer he re-applied for his licence but it kept getting deferred. In August he went to see the Jockey Club’s surgeon who informed him that the risk of another blow on the head causing serious and permanent damage was too great. His career was over.
In October 1980 Ian left England for Australia to work for Joe Manning, who ran Woodburn Spelling Station for horses in training, at Cootamundra, in New South Wales. He stayed for six years, going on to become a successful trainer there, finishing third in the Southern District Racing Association’s trainers’ table. with 75 winners. He twice trained five winners in one day and, in 1983, had a double at Randwick, the Australian equivalent of Ascot.
In October 1980 Ian left England for Australia to work for Joe Manning, who ran Woodburn Spelling Station for horses in training, at Cootamundra, in New South Wales. He stayed for six years, going on to become a successful trainer there, finishing third in the Southern District Racing Association’s trainers’ table. with 75 winners. He twice trained five winners in one day and, in 1983, had a double at Randwick, the Australian equivalent of Ascot.
He eventually returned to Newmarket, where he educated the ‘difficult’ horses no one else would ride and later ran his own horse transport business.
He eventually returned to Newmarket, where he educated the ‘difficult’ horses no one else would ride and later ran his own horse transport business.
His frank and revealing – and often hilarious – autobiography is due for publication in August 2021.
His frank and revealing – and often hilarious – autobiography is due for publication in August 2021.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1975: Mitchells & Butlers Handicap Chase – Fezeyot
1975: Mitchells & Butlers Handicap Chase – Fezeyot
1975: SKF Future Champions Hurdle – Rapid Pass
1975: SKF Future Champions Hurdle – Rapid Pass
1975: Summit Juvenile Hurdle – Sweet Joe
1975: Summit Juvenile Hurdle – Sweet Joe
1975: Castleford Handicap Chase – Tingle Creek
1975: Castleford Handicap Chase – Tingle Creek
1976: Bass Handicap Chase – Jolly’s Clump
1976: Bass Handicap Chase – Jolly’s Clump
1976: Brooke Bond Oxo National – Jolly’s Clump
1976: Brooke Bond Oxo National – Jolly’s Clump
1976: Express Chase (Sandown) – Tingle Creek
1976: Express Chase (Sandown) – Tingle Creek
1976: Victor Ludorum Hurdle – Sweet Joe
1976: Victor Ludorum Hurdle – Sweet Joe
1976: Virginia Gold Cup Handicap Chase – Tingle Creek
1976: Virginia Gold Cup Handicap Chase – Tingle Creek
1976: Hennessy Gold Cup – Zeta’s Son
1976: Hennessy Gold Cup – Zeta’s Son
1977: Greenall Whitley Handicap Chase – General Moselle
1977: Greenall Whitley Handicap Chase – General Moselle
1977: Wetherby Handicap Chase – General Moselle
1977: Wetherby Handicap Chase – General Moselle
1977: Embassy Handicap Hurdle – Sea Pigeon
1977: Embassy Handicap Hurdle – Sea Pigeon
1977: ATV Today Chase – Casamayor
1977: ATV Today Chase – Casamayor
1978: Bass Handicap Chase – Prince Rock
1978: Bass Handicap Chase – Prince Rock
1978: William Hill Hurdle – Sea Pigeon
1978: William Hill Hurdle – Sea Pigeon
1978: Bobby Renton Novices’ Chase – Night Nurse
1978: Bobby Renton Novices’ Chase – Night Nurse
1978: Fighting Fifth Hurdle – Sea Pigeon
1978: Fighting Fifth Hurdle – Sea Pigeon
1978: Killiney Novices’ Chase – Night Nurse
1978: Killiney Novices’ Chase – Night Nurse
1978: Astbury Trophy Novices’ Chase – Night Nurse
1978: Astbury Trophy Novices’ Chase – Night Nurse
May 28, 1966: Ian is led in after riding his first winner
May 28, 1966: Ian is led in after riding his first winner
on Charles Cotton at Hexham.
on Charles Cotton at Hexham.
In action on Jolly's Clump at Leicester.
In action on Jolly's Clump at Leicester.
Jumping the Pond Fence at Sandown on Tingle Creek.
Jumping the Pond Fence at Sandown on Tingle Creek.
Sea Pigeon's lass Monica Jones leads Ian in after winning the Fighting Fifth Hurdle
Sea Pigeon's lass Monica Jones leads Ian in after winning the Fighting Fifth Hurdle
Riding Night Nurse in the Killiney Novices' Chase at Ascot.
Riding Night Nurse in the Killiney Novices' Chase at Ascot.