Richard Wilkinson
Richard Wilkinson
Richard Wilkinson
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Northern-based Flat jockey Richard Wilkinson rode 48 winners between 1909 and 1912, achieving a best score of 24 in 1911. He returned after World War One to add another 10 victories in 1920.
Northern-based Flat jockey Richard Wilkinson rode 48 winners between 1909 and 1912, achieving a best score of 24 in 1911. He returned after World War One to add another 10 victories in 1920.
He was apprenticed to George Menzies, a leading amateur rider of the late 19th century, who trained at Coxhoe, County Durham. Richard’s first ride was an unplaced effort on Netherland in the Leeds Selling Handicap at Pontefract on April 24, 1907.
He was apprenticed to George Menzies, a leading amateur rider of the late 19th century, who trained at Coxhoe, County Durham. Richard’s first ride was an unplaced effort on Netherland in the Leeds Selling Handicap at Pontefract on April 24, 1907.
It was over two years before he first visited the winner’s enclosure, that being when Renata took the Langbaugh Welter Handicap at Redcar on June 1, 1909. George McCall, who finished third, objected to the first two home on grounds of ‘bumping and boring’ but this was overruled.
It was over two years before he first visited the winner’s enclosure, that being when Renata took the Langbaugh Welter Handicap at Redcar on June 1, 1909. George McCall, who finished third, objected to the first two home on grounds of ‘bumping and boring’ but this was overruled.
Thereafter, the winners kept coming steadily for Richard until 1912, when he recorded only three wins, the last being Thistlecock in the Thirkleby Selling High-weight Handicap at Thirsk on September 28. Losing his apprentice allowance in 1911 had not had helped his cause, nor had a six-week ban for ‘bad and erratic riding’ after winning a race at Catterick Bridge.
Thereafter, the winners kept coming steadily for Richard until 1912, when he recorded only three wins, the last being Thistlecock in the Thirkleby Selling High-weight Handicap at Thirsk on September 28. Losing his apprentice allowance in 1911 had not had helped his cause, nor had a six-week ban for ‘bad and erratic riding’ after winning a race at Catterick Bridge.
After 1912 Richard did not appear on a British racecourse again until 1920, with his ‘comeback’ win being achieved on April 9 aboard Radiacy, trained by Nathan Scott, another former top amateur rider, by a length in the Grove Handicap at Catterick Bridge.
After 1912 Richard did not appear on a British racecourse again until 1920, with his ‘comeback’ win being achieved on April 9 aboard Radiacy, trained by Nathan Scott, another former top amateur rider, by a length in the Grove Handicap at Catterick Bridge.
Richard’s last winner was Euphrates in the Gailes Plate at Bogside on July 23, 1920. Ten days later, August 2, he had his final ride in Britain when Greta Bridge finished third in the Fishergreen Two-Year-Old Plate at Ripon.
Richard’s last winner was Euphrates in the Gailes Plate at Bogside on July 23, 1920. Ten days later, August 2, he had his final ride in Britain when Greta Bridge finished third in the Fishergreen Two-Year-Old Plate at Ripon.
Richard's first win came at Redcar in 1909 on Renata
Richard's first win came at Redcar in 1909 on Renata