Steve Woolley
Stephen John (Steve) Woolley was born on October 20, 1956. He started his racing career as an apprentice with Eric Collingwood at Middleham.
Stephen John (Steve) Woolley was born on October 20, 1956. He started his racing career as an apprentice with Eric Collingwood at Middleham.
He rode four winners from 57 rides in 1977, his first season with a licence, including two on Collingwood’s two-year-old filly Ackabarrow, at Redcar on August 2 and Haydock (below) on October 13. He rode five winners from the same number of rides in 1978 but just one from a total of 148 mounts in 1979.
He rode four winners from 57 rides in 1977, his first season with a licence, including two on Collingwood’s two-year-old filly Ackabarrow, at Redcar on August 2 and Haydock (below) on October 13. He rode five winners from the same number of rides in 1978 but just one from a total of 148 mounts in 1979.
In search of more winning opportunities, Steve moved south to the Upham, Hampshire stables of Bill Wightman. He rode out his 7lb claim when winning on Wightman’s two-year-old filly Ashbrittle at Salisbury on May 8, 1980. His next winner was 20-1 outsider Xarfina, also trained by Wightman, in a three-year-old fillies’ maiden at Lingfield on June 27. He ended the year with three wins from 82 rides.
In search of more winning opportunities, Steve moved south to the Upham, Hampshire stables of Bill Wightman. He rode out his 7lb claim when winning on Wightman’s two-year-old filly Ashbrittle at Salisbury on May 8, 1980. His next winner was 20-1 outsider Xarfina, also trained by Wightman, in a three-year-old fillies’ maiden at Lingfield on June 27. He ended the year with three wins from 82 rides.
Steve finished his apprenticeship at the end of that year and so took out a professional jockey’s licence in 1981. He rode one winner from 52 rides that year, 25-1 rank outsider Charlotte’s Choice, trained by Bill Wightman, in the Netheravon Handicap at Newbury on June 10. He renewed his licence in 1982 but failed to ride another winner.
Steve finished his apprenticeship at the end of that year and so took out a professional jockey’s licence in 1981. He rode one winner from 52 rides that year, 25-1 rank outsider Charlotte’s Choice, trained by Bill Wightman, in the Netheravon Handicap at Newbury on June 10. He renewed his licence in 1982 but failed to ride another winner.
Having retired from race-riding he became a work rider with Ian Balding at Kingsclere. He soon became their top work rider and an invaluable member of the Kingsclere team. Steve continued in that role when Andrew Balding took over from his father. Among the many good horses Steve partnered on the gallops were Dashing Blade, Selkirk and Phoenix Reach.
Having retired from race-riding he became a work rider with Ian Balding at Kingsclere. He soon became their top work rider and an invaluable member of the Kingsclere team. Steve continued in that role when Andrew Balding took over from his father. Among the many good horses Steve partnered on the gallops were Dashing Blade, Selkirk and Phoenix Reach.