Ken Wingrove
Ken Wingrove
Ken Wingrove
National Hunt jockey Kenneth George Wingrove held a licence from 1960 to 1964 but did not manage to ride a winner. He started out with Warwickshire trainer Walter Charles and had his first ride when putting up 13lb overweight at 10st 6lb on Grouse in the Stroud Selling Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on April 14, 1960, finishing unplaced. Thereafter he invariably rode the no-hopers. When one had a chance of winning, he found himself replaced by a senior jockey.
National Hunt jockey Kenneth George Wingrove held a licence from 1960 to 1964 but did not manage to ride a winner. He started out with Warwickshire trainer Walter Charles and had his first ride when putting up 13lb overweight at 10st 6lb on Grouse in the Stroud Selling Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on April 14, 1960, finishing unplaced. Thereafter he invariably rode the no-hopers. When one had a chance of winning, he found himself replaced by a senior jockey.
Just about the closest he came to riding a winner was when finishing fifth on Sabwani in a 20-runner handicap hurdle at Leicester on November 25, 1963. He finished seventh on him at the same course next time out, seven lengths behind the winner, but was then jocked off in favour of Johnny Lehane when the horse was fancied for a race at Windsor, in which he finished third.
Just about the closest he came to riding a winner was when finishing fifth on Sabwani in a 20-runner handicap hurdle at Leicester on November 25, 1963. He finished seventh on him at the same course next time out, seven lengths behind the winner, but was then jocked off in favour of Johnny Lehane when the horse was fancied for a race at Windsor, in which he finished third.
Indeed, the only time a picture of Ken appeared in the newspapers was when being unseated from the 15-year-old selling chaser Damp Rag at the first fence at Windsor on January 31, 1964. Ken always maintained the horse was unsighted when Josh Gifford’s mount jumped across him. Gifford went on to win the race.
Indeed, the only time a picture of Ken appeared in the newspapers was when being unseated from the 15-year-old selling chaser Damp Rag at the first fence at Windsor on January 31, 1964. Ken always maintained the horse was unsighted when Josh Gifford’s mount jumped across him. Gifford went on to win the race.
Ken retired from race-riding later that year but made a brief return early in 1973 with two rides on a selling hurdler named Gosforth Park, finishing fourth at Warwick on January 13 and last of eight finishers at Stratford on February 3, before hanging up his boots and saddle for good.
Ken retired from race-riding later that year but made a brief return early in 1973 with two rides on a selling hurdler named Gosforth Park, finishing fourth at Warwick on January 13 and last of eight finishers at Stratford on February 3, before hanging up his boots and saddle for good.
He took out a trainer’s permit in the 1982/83 season, based at Grange Farm, Stockton, near Rugby and enjoyed success with several cheaply bought horses. La Seine gave him his first victory at Stratford in April 1983 and others quickly followed including Florence, Emperor Napoleon and a good old selling chaser named Parson’s Pride, who won at Bangor and Southwell and was placed many times. Ken’s 300-guinea purchase General Patterns didn’t quite manage to get his head in front but came exasperatingly close when finishing second three times within a week.
He took out a trainer’s permit in the 1982/83 season, based at Grange Farm, Stockton, near Rugby and enjoyed success with several cheaply bought horses. La Seine gave him his first victory at Stratford in April 1983 and others quickly followed including Florence, Emperor Napoleon and a good old selling chaser named Parson’s Pride, who won at Bangor and Southwell and was placed many times. Ken’s 300-guinea purchase General Patterns didn’t quite manage to get his head in front but came exasperatingly close when finishing second three times within a week.
He moved into Fox Farm in Bascote Heath, between Leamington and Southam, in 1986 and took out a full trainer’s licence with around a dozen horses in the yard. In 1992 he relocated to Georges Farm in East Harling, near Norwich. Three years later he moved again, this time to Newmarket, initially at Albert Cottage Stables and then to Cadland House, using part of trainer Mick Ryan’s yard.
He moved into Fox Farm in Bascote Heath, between Leamington and Southam, in 1986 and took out a full trainer’s licence with around a dozen horses in the yard. In 1992 he relocated to Georges Farm in East Harling, near Norwich. Three years later he moved again, this time to Newmarket, initially at Albert Cottage Stables and then to Cadland House, using part of trainer Mick Ryan’s yard.
It was while at Newmarket that he enjoyed his most successful season as a trainer in 1995/96 with ten winners, six of which came courtesy of handicap hurdler Chicago’s Best.
It was while at Newmarket that he enjoyed his most successful season as a trainer in 1995/96 with ten winners, six of which came courtesy of handicap hurdler Chicago’s Best.
Ken gave up training for three or four years but re-emerged in 2001 at Highley, near Bridgnorth. From his new base he sent out Ewar Bold to land a Towcester novices’ selling hurdle under jockey Tom Jenks on April 29, 2002. He then endured a 1,432-day barren spell, incorporating 146 runners, before 40-1 outsider Magical Mint, partnered by Chris Catlin, ended the drought in a six-furlong Wolverhampton seller on March 31, 2006.
Ken gave up training for three or four years but re-emerged in 2001 at Highley, near Bridgnorth. From his new base he sent out Ewar Bold to land a Towcester novices’ selling hurdle under jockey Tom Jenks on April 29, 2002. He then endured a 1,432-day barren spell, incorporating 146 runners, before 40-1 outsider Magical Mint, partnered by Chris Catlin, ended the drought in a six-furlong Wolverhampton seller on March 31, 2006.
Ken Wingrove died on April 5, 2023, aged 84, following a short illness. He is survived by his wife, Bella, his daughters Megan and Jodie, who had both ridden as amateur jockeys, and sons Damien and Jamie.
Ken Wingrove died on April 5, 2023, aged 84, following a short illness. He is survived by his wife, Bella, his daughters Megan and Jodie, who had both ridden as amateur jockeys, and sons Damien and Jamie.
His horses were not world-beaters, but Ken was one of the sport’s great characters. He had a rich fund of stories and a sense of humour that never left him throughout his racing life. He believed you mustn’t take life too seriously and sometimes reckoned there was a bit of Norman Wisdom in him.
His horses were not world-beaters, but Ken was one of the sport’s great characters. He had a rich fund of stories and a sense of humour that never left him throughout his racing life. He believed you mustn’t take life too seriously and sometimes reckoned there was a bit of Norman Wisdom in him.
Below: Ken Wingrove (nearside) aboard Gosforth Park, his last ride in public.
