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Richard Whitby
Richard Whitby
1911-1986
1911-1986
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Although Richard Fitzgerald Whitby had some rides on the Flat in the 1930s, it was not until he ventured over jumps that he had any success, ending with five wins in a riding career compromised by World War II.
Although Richard Fitzgerald Whitby had some rides on the Flat in the 1930s, it was not until he ventured over jumps that he had any success, ending with five wins in a riding career compromised by World War II.
Born in 1911, he served his apprenticeship with Matt Peacock at Manor House, Middleham and had his first ride when Soft Drink finished sixth of ten runners in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Ayr on April 5, 1930.
Born in 1911, he served his apprenticeship with Matt Peacock at Manor House, Middleham and had his first ride when Soft Drink finished sixth of ten runners in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Ayr on April 5, 1930.
He had his first ride under National Hunt rules on February 11, 1937, aboard Chic, finishing unplaced in the St Helens Handicap Hurdle. His first victory came at Wetherby on December 8, 1939, when four-year-old Short Drink, owned and trained by Matt Peacock, beat 21 rivals to take the Cowbridge Novices’ Hurdle, beating Uncouth by a length.
He had his first ride under National Hunt rules on February 11, 1937, aboard Chic, finishing unplaced in the St Helens Handicap Hurdle. His first victory came at Wetherby on December 8, 1939, when four-year-old Short Drink, owned and trained by Matt Peacock, beat 21 rivals to take the Cowbridge Novices’ Hurdle, beating Uncouth by a length.
In 1940 he volunteered for World War II. He served with the 8th Army as a despatch rider, being demobilised in 1946.
In 1940 he volunteered for World War II. He served with the 8th Army as a despatch rider, being demobilised in 1946.
He then returned to Middleham and joined Colonel Wilfrid Lyde at Spigot Lodge, for whom he rode his next winner on Boxing Day 1947 at Market Rasen, when Royal Trio beat a field of 21 to land the Juvenile Hurdle, beating Scottish School by half a length.
He then returned to Middleham and joined Colonel Wilfrid Lyde at Spigot Lodge, for whom he rode his next winner on Boxing Day 1947 at Market Rasen, when Royal Trio beat a field of 21 to land the Juvenile Hurdle, beating Scottish School by half a length.
His third win came on the 12-year-old Empire Breeze, who scored by half a length in the Queen Margaret Handicap Chase at Hexham on April 26, 1948. Despite the race’s grand sounding title, it was only worth £100 to the winning owner.
His third win came on the 12-year-old Empire Breeze, who scored by half a length in the Queen Margaret Handicap Chase at Hexham on April 26, 1948. Despite the race’s grand sounding title, it was only worth £100 to the winning owner.
After finishing third at Kelso on May 4, the pair resumed winning ways back at Hexham eleven days later when beating Dick Curran’s mount Drumahill by two lengths in the Greenridge Handicap Chase.
After finishing third at Kelso on May 4, the pair resumed winning ways back at Hexham eleven days later when beating Dick Curran’s mount Drumahill by two lengths in the Greenridge Handicap Chase.
Richard had his last victory on Dancing Flame, trained like his other post-war winners by Colonel Lyde, in the Mordon Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Sedgefield on Boxing Day 1949. He continued to hold a jockey’s licence until 1953, finishing third on his final ride at Southwell on May 12, aboard Windavian in the Dunham Selling Handicap Hurdle.
Richard had his last victory on Dancing Flame, trained like his other post-war winners by Colonel Lyde, in the Mordon Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Sedgefield on Boxing Day 1949. He continued to hold a jockey’s licence until 1953, finishing third on his final ride at Southwell on May 12, aboard Windavian in the Dunham Selling Handicap Hurdle.
Having retired from the saddle, Richard remained with Colonel Lyde, going on to become his long-serving assistant head lad. He died in 1986.
Having retired from the saddle, Richard remained with Colonel Lyde, going on to become his long-serving assistant head lad. He died in 1986.
Richard Whitby’s winners were, in chronological order:
Richard Whitby’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Short Drink, Wetherby, December 8, 1939
1. Short Drink, Wetherby, December 8, 1939
2. Royal Trio, Market Rasen, December 26, 1947
2. Royal Trio, Market Rasen, December 26, 1947
3. Empire Breeze, Hexham, April 26, 1948
3. Empire Breeze, Hexham, April 26, 1948
4. Empire Breeze, Hexham, May 15, 1948
4. Empire Breeze, Hexham, May 15, 1948
5. Dancing Flame, Sedgefield, December 26, 1949
5. Dancing Flame, Sedgefield, December 26, 1949
Dick Whitby's third winner, Empire Breeze, Hexham, April 26, 1948
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