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1873 - 1906
1873 - 1906
Oliver Richard Woodland was born in Chichester in 1873. This is confirmed by the 1901 census on which he gives his profession as jockey. At that time he was living at Florence Road in Chichester with his step mother and brother.
Oliver Richard Woodland was born in Chichester in 1873. This is confirmed by the 1901 census on which he gives his profession as jockey. At that time he was living at Florence Road in Chichester with his step mother and brother.
Oliver, who was a cousin of jockeys Percy and Herbert, began, as an adult, answering to the name of Richard or Dick.
Oliver, who was a cousin of jockeys Percy and Herbert, began, as an adult, answering to the name of Richard or Dick.
In the spring of 1889 he could be found riding horses at Aldershot for his father, Stephen, a horse dealer.
In the spring of 1889 he could be found riding horses at Aldershot for his father, Stephen, a horse dealer.
Richard won the Spring Meeting Hunters' Steeplechase by 20 lengths on Miss Chippendale before being disqualified for taking the wrong course.
Richard won the Spring Meeting Hunters' Steeplechase by 20 lengths on Miss Chippendale before being disqualified for taking the wrong course.
He landed a treble at Wolverhampton on Easter Monday, April 19, 1897.
He landed a treble at Wolverhampton on Easter Monday, April 19, 1897.
Richard took a bad fall at Sandown on Friday, December 1, 1899, eventually recovering.
Richard took a bad fall at Sandown on Friday, December 1, 1899, eventually recovering.
On Easter Monday, April 4 1904, he gained his biggest success when winning the Lancashire Handicap Steeplechase on Lord James at Manchester.
On Easter Monday, April 4 1904, he gained his biggest success when winning the Lancashire Handicap Steeplechase on Lord James at Manchester.
He then appears to have retired for a couple of years before making a comeback in 1906.
He then appears to have retired for a couple of years before making a comeback in 1906.
Richard died on Saturday morning, April 14, 1906, following a fall from Seymour in a steeplechase at Folkestone on April 9.
Richard died on Saturday morning, April 14, 1906, following a fall from Seymour in a steeplechase at Folkestone on April 9.
Three weeks before his fatal ride, he had ridden the same horse to victory at the same course.
Three weeks before his fatal ride, he had ridden the same horse to victory at the same course.
The horse's trainer later told the inquest that this had been his first public ride for some 15 - 18 months and that Richard had told him that he was 29. Like many jockeys, it appears that Richard had knocked a few years off his age in order to boost his chances of getting work on his comeback, which would explain the confusion about his age when he died.
The horse's trainer later told the inquest that this had been his first public ride for some 15 - 18 months and that Richard had told him that he was 29. Like many jockeys, it appears that Richard had knocked a few years off his age in order to boost his chances of getting work on his comeback, which would explain the confusion about his age when he died.
His demise proved somewhat controversial at his inquest as people began pointing fingers at each other.
His demise proved somewhat controversial at his inquest as people began pointing fingers at each other.
The course doctor stated that the ambulance took too long to get to him, though others disagreed.
The course doctor stated that the ambulance took too long to get to him, though others disagreed.
He also criticised the facilities, saying that he had been asking for a bed for injured jockeys for a long time.
He also criticised the facilities, saying that he had been asking for a bed for injured jockeys for a long time.
The owners accused the doctor of not realising the severity of the injuries. The doctor replied that he had fully assessed the stricken jockey and that there were no obvious signs of injuries. He stated that he had told Richard to rest up and not touch alcohol.
The owners accused the doctor of not realising the severity of the injuries. The doctor replied that he had fully assessed the stricken jockey and that there were no obvious signs of injuries. He stated that he had told Richard to rest up and not touch alcohol.
Unwisely, Richard had ignored this advice and drunk whiskey. Some parties tried to use this against him, trying to pin some blame on him.
Unwisely, Richard had ignored this advice and drunk whiskey. Some parties tried to use this against him, trying to pin some blame on him.
Richard then began to go downhill, yet he was reluctant to go into hospital.
Richard then began to go downhill, yet he was reluctant to go into hospital.
Eventually, he was transferred by train to the main hospital in Folkestone, dying five days later.
Eventually, he was transferred by train to the main hospital in Folkestone, dying five days later.
He was buried at Chichester Cemetery though he had moved to Epsom by the time of his death.
He was buried at Chichester Cemetery though he had moved to Epsom by the time of his death.
At his inquest, it was stated that his heart was almost double the normal size.
At his inquest, it was stated that his heart was almost double the normal size.
He never married.
He never married.
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