Richard Bevan National Hunt Rides 1986/87 Racing Season
12 rides… Average Starting Price Odds 24.25 to 1
Owners Prize Money £1847
Completed 10 = 83.3%
2 rides in the first four 16.6% 1x 1st place 8.3% 1x 4th place 8.3%
fell 0 = 0% / ur 0 = 0% / bd 0 = 0% / co 0 = 0% / ro 0 = 0% / pu 2 = 16.7% / su 0 = 0%
1986/1987 National Hunt Season
23/8/1986
Border Amateur Riders Handicap Hurdle
Hereford Racecourse
Saucy Mop
Finished 9th / 17 ran
4/9/1986
Grunwick Stakes National Hunt Flat Race (4, 5 & 6-y-o)
Worcester Racecourse
Members Revenge
Finished 7th / 26 ran
3/10/1986
Grunwick Stakes National Hunt Flat Race
(4, 5 & 6-y-o)
Hereford Racecourse
Right Formula
Finished 4th / 7 ran
9/10/1986
Grunwick Stakes National Hunt Flat Race (4, 5 & 6-y-o)
Cheltenham Racecourse
Right Formula
Finished 9th / 11 ran
Sandown Park Racecourse
Dealers Dream
Finished 14th / 21 ran
A ride on Dealers Dream
The owner was getting the mare fit at home then brought it to Nicholson’s one Sunday morning to give it a gallop with one of The Duke’s with the idea of leaving at the yard if it went well enough… this was late Jan early Feb 1987.
I was working that Sunday morning, we’d been mucking out then leading a few out around The Pound in Condicote after which some were going to be ridden.
Nicholson said to me “Richard, you ride the mare that’s just arrived in a gallop with Selborne Record ridden by Dan (Jones)”… the lady owner was with The Guv’nor when he said this.
They had taken it off the horsebox and put it in one of the stables, after all the owner was intending to leave it in the yard.
I got my tack and went to saddle up… after a minute or two The Duke (now alone) had followed me up the yard and he said “Richard make sure this mare doesn’t work very well, I don’t want the f?cker in the yard” and added “you will be working up the all weather, make sure you lose a few lengths in the dip before the bend” … this was the all weather gallop at Condicote, the one that ran uphill for about 4 furlongs following the outside of the fields/edge of the woods before running into a dip before a right handed bend to continue slightly downhill along the edge of the fields/woods to the finish
It was in the dip I had to lose some ground
I thought blimey but just answered “Ok”
Anyhow, Selborne Record couldn’t have gone quick enough because even though I lost some ground the mare made it up and finished upsides her galloping partner
The Duke and the owner were at the end of the gallop and us two lads took a turn back to the trainer and he said “How was that?”
I just said “She’s done nothing wrong”
They drove off in the Daihatsu and Dan and myself walked back to the yard
There was no getting out of it, the mare was stopping in the yard… Nicholson didn’t say anything to me about the gallop but what he did say was “When that mare runs, you ride!”… while he said those words he was pointing his finger into my chest
That’s how I got the leg up on Dealers Dream and as a result got to ride in the purple colours normally carried by the decent chaser Contradeal
4/4/1987
Chivas Regal Amateur Handicap Hurdle
Aintree Racecourse
Annie Ra
Finished 11th / 17 ran
21/4/1987
Sir Geoffrey Congreve Cup Hunters Chase
Uttoxeter Racecourse
Dynadee
PU / 7 ran
2/5/1987
Tom Beckett Amateur Riders Challenge Trophy Handicap Chase
Uttoxeter Racecourse
Crowecopper
Finished 1st / 9 ran
Crowecopper was my first winner under National Hunt Rules and he was also my friend Roy “RF” Davies final winner
I won three races out of ten on Crowecopper, at Uttoxeter, Windsor and Bangor-on-Dee
10 rides in total on Crowecopper all over fences
3x 1st
2x 2nd
1x 3rd
1x 4th
1x 5th
1x SU
1x UR
Video – Crowecopper winning at Uttoxeter
Horses I Led Up at the Races
1986/1987 National Hunt Season
1/11/1986
Corinth Novices Hurdle (Division II)
Chepstow Racecourse
Annie Ra
Finished 5th / 22 ran
5/11/1986
E.B.F. Novices Hurdle Qualifier (4, 5 and 6-y-o)
Newbury Racecourse
Condicote Boy
Finished 9th / 21 ran
13/11/1986
Silver Buck Chase (Limited Handicap)
Wincanton Racecourse
Charter Party
Finished 4th / 7 ran
22/11/1986
Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup (Handicap Chase)
Newbury Racecourse
Charter Party
PU / 15 ran
27/11/1986
Askett Novices Hurdle (Division I)
Warwick Racecourse
Annie Ra
Finished 3rd / 16 ran
27/11/1986
Askett Novices Hurdle (Division II)
Warwick Racecourse
Members Revenge
Finished 8th / 17 ran
2/12/1986
Damsells Novices Hurdle (F&M) (Division II)
Hereford Racecourse
Annie Ra
FELL / 16 ran
22/12/1986
Christmas Pudding Novices Hurdle (Division I)
Towcester Racecourse
Condicote Boy
Finished 4th / 17 ran
26/12/1986
Netherton Four-Year-Old Handicap Hurdle
Wolverhampton Racecourse
Annie Ra
FELL / 19 ran
3/1/1987
Bradstone Mandarin Handicap Chase
Newbury Racecourse
Charter Party
Finished 3rd / 6 ran
4/2/1987
E.B.F. Oats & Celtic Cone Novices Hurdle (Mares)
Hereford Racecourse
Annie Ra
Finished 6th / 17 ran
11/2/1987
Datchet Novices Hurdle
Ascot Racecourse
Condicote Boy
Finished 6th / 18 ran
11/2/1987
Reynoldstown Novices Chase
Ascot Racecourse
Against The Grain
Finished 2nd / 5 ran
21/2/1987
Mapperley Handicap Chase
Nottingham Racecourse
Charter Party
Finished 3rd / 4 ran
12/3/1987
Alveston Handicap Hurdle
Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse
Annie Ra
Finished 4th / 7 ran
19/3/1987
Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase
Cheltenham Racecourse
Charter Party
FELL / 12 ran
Charter Party was just making up the numbers in the 1987 Gold Cup
He’d been kept stabled the previous Summer (’86)during which he was blistered and hobdayed (got a bit of a leg after winning the Golden Miller at Cheltenham, also had a breathing problem) and was then put straight into training when the other horses came back from their holidays… he had no break
Throughout the 1986/87 season Charter Party had no appetite and often left his food… something I told of and actually showed to the “old man” and also to the head lad… I would fill a black bucket up with the food he’d left and take it into the office first thing in the morning for them to see… he ran all season 20-25 kilos lighter than he had the previous one
Then to make matters worse, in the early part of 1987 Charter Party developed a fairly large lump on his rump (which he ran in the 87 Gold Cup with)… in the end, to put it right the lump was drained which was done when he was taken out of training… what caused the lump will never be known but I do remember him having a couple of “vitamin” injections into his backside (I told the Guv’nor this)
I think if you look at the photo I’ve attached to this post of him going down to the start you can see how light Charter Party looks in his condition (his neck, the breast girth hanging loose… wasn’t even wearing a breast girth or breastplate 12 months earlier in the Ritz) and if you look even more carefully you will see the lump near the top of his quarter, it was quite large
Charter Party was always a Gold Cup horse but at no point was 1987 going to be his year
… at least I can say I led Charter Party up in the Snowstorm Gold Cup!
This vintage photo features some of the biggest names in horse racing at the time. The picture captures the moment when David Nicholson is pictured with some of his prized horses which included, Barton Bank, held by Gordon Clarkson. Alongside them are Viking Flagship, handled by Richard Bevan; Relkeel, with Xavier Aizpuru; and Anzum, attended by Jeremy Dance. Each horse represents the determination and athleticism that the Cheltenham Festival is known for, making them icons in the racing community.
The Cheltenham Festival Significance
The Cheltenham Festival, a highly anticipated event in the horse racing calendar, draws elite competitors and enthusiastic spectators each year. It has transformed into a major celebration for racehorse trainers, owners, and fans alike. Among the notable figures at the 1995 Festival was trainer David Nicholson, who was featured in this newspaper photo announcement titled “Cheltenham Festival Countdown” in the Sporting Life newspaper.
The Excitement Leading to the Festival
The countdown to the Cheltenham Festival in 1995 was filled with anticipation and excitement. Fans eagerly awaited the performances from esteemed racehorses, each with their unique strengths and histories. As the event approached, discussions among pundits and fans heightened the atmosphere, ensuring the racing season would be memorable. Today, the nostalgic memories of iconic trainers and horses from past Festivals remind us of the joy and thrill that the Cheltenham Festival continues to bring to the world of horse racing.
On Thursday, February 23, 1961, Southwell Racecourse welcomed a number of competitors, including Guinea Hunter, who made a notable appearance in the Edwalton Hurdle Division II race. My mum played her role in leading up this horse, expertly handled by jockey Stan Mellor. This maiden race for four-year-olds was over 2 miles and 80 yards, with a prize pot of £170 attracting attention from racing enthusiasts.
October 15, 1962: Another Day at the Races
Fast forward to Monday, October 15, 1962, and we see my dad taking on the responsibility of leading up another contender, Gold Pride. Jockey Ivor Markham took the reins for this race, which was the Upton Selling Handicap Chase, covering a 2-mile distance. This race, with a prize fund of £186, also took place at Southwell Racecourse, showcasing the vibrant atmosphere of local racing.
Training at Roy Whiston’s Yard
Both Guinea Hunter and Gold Pride were prepared at Herne Farm in Hodnet, located near Market Drayton in Shropshire, England. There, renowned trainer Roy Whiston dedicated himself to ensuring that these horses were ready to compete at the local tracks. Reflecting on these events not only brings nostalgia but also emphasizes the joy and dedication of those involved in horse racing.
