Stephen Wright
Captain Stephen Wright served with the 9/12th Lancers and was successful in hunter chases during the first decade after World War II.
Captain Stephen Wright served with the 9/12th Lancers and was successful in hunter chases during the first decade after World War II.
He rode four hunter chase winners from just eight rides during the 1948/49 season, these being as follows:
He rode four hunter chase winners from just eight rides during the 1948/49 season, these being as follows:
Compton Abdale, Wincanton, February 24, 1949
Compton Abdale, Wincanton, February 24, 1949
Skipper IV, Chepstow, April 19, 1949
Skipper IV, Chepstow, April 19, 1949
Capparoe, Taunton, May 7, 1949
Capparoe, Taunton, May 7, 1949
Right Track, Towcester, June 6, 1949
Right Track, Towcester, June 6, 1949
He scored his most important success in the 1953 United Hunts’ Cup at Cheltenham on Tiger Tim. When winning that race, he was three weeks short of his 46th birthday and was the oldest amateur ever to win at the Cheltenham National Hunt Meeting. He came close to breaking his own record when finishing second on Easter Breeze in the 1955 Kim Muir Memorial Challenge Cup.
He scored his most important success in the 1953 United Hunts’ Cup at Cheltenham on Tiger Tim. When winning that race, he was three weeks short of his 46th birthday and was the oldest amateur ever to win at the Cheltenham National Hunt Meeting. He came close to breaking his own record when finishing second on Easter Breeze in the 1955 Kim Muir Memorial Challenge Cup.
As things turned out, he held the record for just three years until Laurie Morgan, four weeks past his 46th birthday, won the Foxhunters’ Chase on Colledge Master. Morgan then held the record until 1979 when it was beaten by John Thorne, who won the Foxhunters' on Spartan Missile at the age of 52.
As things turned out, he held the record for just three years until Laurie Morgan, four weeks past his 46th birthday, won the Foxhunters’ Chase on Colledge Master. Morgan then held the record until 1979 when it was beaten by John Thorne, who won the Foxhunters' on Spartan Missile at the age of 52.
Captain Wright rode approximately 20 winners under National Hunt rules. The last of them was on Gay Monk in the Fosse Way Hunters’ Chase at Warwick on March 12, 1955.
Captain Wright rode approximately 20 winners under National Hunt rules. The last of them was on Gay Monk in the Fosse Way Hunters’ Chase at Warwick on March 12, 1955.
He appears to have had his final ride under Rules at Sandown’s Grand Military Meeting on March 21, 1958, finishing sixth on Texas Ranger in the Past and Present Hunters’ Chase. However, some sources say that his final ride was as late as 1961.
He appears to have had his final ride under Rules at Sandown’s Grand Military Meeting on March 21, 1958, finishing sixth on Texas Ranger in the Past and Present Hunters’ Chase. However, some sources say that his final ride was as late as 1961.
His son, Nigel, also rode as an amateur under NH Rules. He too served with the 9/12th Lancers and rode in the Grand Military Gold Cup on three occasions, pulling up on Ringside on his first attempt in 1968, but then finishing fourth and third in consecutive renewals on Bel Ambre in 1970 and 1971. Nigel won five chases on Bel Ambre, three at Newcastle and two at Hexham.
His son, Nigel, also rode as an amateur under NH Rules. He too served with the 9/12th Lancers and rode in the Grand Military Gold Cup on three occasions, pulling up on Ringside on his first attempt in 1968, but then finishing fourth and third in consecutive renewals on Bel Ambre in 1970 and 1971. Nigel won five chases on Bel Ambre, three at Newcastle and two at Hexham.