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Sue Wilton
Sue Wilton
Prior to setting up as a trainer, Susan Wilton rode for three seasons under National Hunt rules in the early 1980s and had two wins.
Prior to setting up as a trainer, Susan Wilton rode for three seasons under National Hunt rules in the early 1980s and had two wins.
Associated with the Somerset stable of Les Kennard, she finished fifth on her first ride in the Nicholson Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on 6 October 1982. Her mount, Prosper You Can, was a clear leader when running wide after the penultimate flight and was collared on the flat. Future champion trainer Paul Nicholls finished one place behind her in sixth.
Associated with the Somerset stable of Les Kennard, she finished fifth on her first ride in the Nicholson Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on 6 October 1982. Her mount, Prosper You Can, was a clear leader when running wide after the penultimate flight and was collared on the flat. Future champion trainer Paul Nicholls finished one place behind her in sixth.
Sue came close to winning her first race at Kempton the following month when Lord Leighton was beaten only a neck. She also finished second on Triska, beaten two lengths at Taunton on 2 December before finally getting off the mark at Devon & Exeter 15 days later when Triska recorded a comfortable victory, beating Cannon by 15 lengths in the Kenton Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase. On their next start they were knocked over by a loose horse when going well.
Sue came close to winning her first race at Kempton the following month when Lord Leighton was beaten only a neck. She also finished second on Triska, beaten two lengths at Taunton on 2 December before finally getting off the mark at Devon & Exeter 15 days later when Triska recorded a comfortable victory, beating Cannon by 15 lengths in the Kenton Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase. On their next start they were knocked over by a loose horse when going well.
Sue had her second success at Wincanton on Easter Monday, 4 April 1983, when Tudor Road, trained like Triska by Les Kennard, proved far too good for 15 rivals in the Easter Handicap Hurdle, beating Takeafence by 12 lengths.
Sue had her second success at Wincanton on Easter Monday, 4 April 1983, when Tudor Road, trained like Triska by Les Kennard, proved far too good for 15 rivals in the Easter Handicap Hurdle, beating Takeafence by 12 lengths.
She had over 40 rides that season and continued for two more seasons, but the closest she came to riding another winner was when finishing second on Santillier at Market Rasen in November 1984. She had her final ride as a conditional at Worcester on 22 May 1985, when Roche Girl was unplaced in the Harold Hopkins Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
She had over 40 rides that season and continued for two more seasons, but the closest she came to riding another winner was when finishing second on Santillier at Market Rasen in November 1984. She had her final ride as a conditional at Worcester on 22 May 1985, when Roche Girl was unplaced in the Harold Hopkins Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
She began training in 1987, based at Round Meadow Racing Stables, Wetley Rocks, near Stoke-on-Trent. One of her earliest winners was 50/1 outsider Court Ruler, ridden by Mark Dwyer, in a Southwell selling hurdle in February 1988. Sue won two more races with him that season, at Doncaster and back at Southwell in March.
She began training in 1987, based at Round Meadow Racing Stables, Wetley Rocks, near Stoke-on-Trent. One of her earliest winners was 50/1 outsider Court Ruler, ridden by Mark Dwyer, in a Southwell selling hurdle in February 1988. Sue won two more races with him that season, at Doncaster and back at Southwell in March.
She continued to train at Round Meadow Racing Stables for the next 20 years. She won six races (four hurdles, two chases) with Mo Ichi Do and made a one-off riding comeback on that horse in the Golden Oldies’ Stakes, an invitation race for celebrities at Bangor-on-Dee on 28 October 1994, finishing sixth. The line-up of riders included former jockeys Peter Scudamore (who won the race), Colin Brown, Brian Ellison, Gordon Holmes, Phil Tuck, Jeff King, Bob Davies, Ron Barry, Tony Biddlecombe, Chris Broad and Henry Kavanagh.
She continued to train at Round Meadow Racing Stables for the next 20 years. She won six races (four hurdles, two chases) with Mo Ichi Do and made a one-off riding comeback on that horse in the Golden Oldies’ Stakes, an invitation race for celebrities at Bangor-on-Dee on 28 October 1994, finishing sixth. The line-up of riders included former jockeys Peter Scudamore (who won the race), Colin Brown, Brian Ellison, Gordon Holmes, Phil Tuck, Jeff King, Bob Davies, Ron Barry, Tony Biddlecombe, Chris Broad and Henry Kavanagh.
Sue saddled her last runner when Baie des Flamands finished 15th of 18 runners in a handicap hurdle at Warwick on 21 November 2007.
Sue saddled her last runner when Baie des Flamands finished 15th of 18 runners in a handicap hurdle at Warwick on 21 November 2007.
Thanks to Alan Trout for providing the riding career part of this article.
Thanks to Alan Trout for providing the riding career part of this article.
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