| As far as Sir Gordon's riding career goes the statistics say all there is to say. His 4870 career wins are comfortably greater than those of his nearest rivals. Champion jockey on no less than 26 occasions. In 1947 he rode a record 269 winners, surpassing his own 1933 record of 259. For good measure, in 1933, he also rode a record twelve, consecutive winners. Strangely he only ever rode a single Derby winner, Pinza in 1953. This contributed to a career total of fourteen classics.
In the end it was only a serious injury that finished his career. This came after a horse fell on him in the paddock in 1954. After recovering he set about a second racing career as a trainer. He continued to meet with success in his new career and carried on training until 1969. |
Great Britain