Richard Bevan from Market Drayton in Shropshire began his journey in horse racing as a stable lad. He worked under the mentorship of renowned racehorse trainer David Nicholson, who operated at Cotswold House Racing Stables in Condicote, Gloucestershire. Through this foundation, Richard was introduced to the fascinating world of horse racing.
Richard’s Role as a Stable Lad
As a stable lad, Richard Bevan had the responsibility of caring for several notable horses. Among them were Charter Party, Viking Flagship, and Silver Wisp. Experience gained looking after these horses not only shaped Richard’s racing career but also ignited his passion for racing, ultimately leading him to become a jockey.
Achievements as a Jockey
Richard Bevan’s jockey career comprises a blend of amateur and conditional rides in National Hunt Racing. His accomplishments started as an amateur rider, where from 84 rides, he secured five wins and ranked 19th in the 1987/88 Amateur Riders Championship. His racing activities continued as a professional conditional jockey, and from 271 rides, he achieved 11 wins, 35 second places, 45 thirds. He finished 94th in the National Hunt Jockeys Championship for the 1989/90 season.
Bevan’s foray into point-to-point racing showcased his versatility, garnering five wins, including a notable victory at Aintree.
Additionally, Richard Bevan marked his entry into National Hunt victories with an impressive win at Uttoxeter Racecourse on Midlands Grand National day in 1987 aboard Crowecopper, a horse with historical significance as also being the last winner ridden by Roy ‘RF’ Davies.
Introduction to Richard Bevan’s Jockey Career
During Richard’s time in horse racing, he made a name for himself as both an Amateur Rider Jockey and also a Conditional Jockey, riding a number of winners. This section provides a quick overview of Richard Bevan’s statistics during his varied riding career, highlighting his achievements and contributions to the sport.
National Hunt Achievements
During his professional career, Richard Bevan participated in both hurdle racing and steeplechasing. As a professional conditional jockey, Bevan completed a total of 271 rides, during which he secured 11 winners, finished second 35 times, and placed third 45 times. Additionally, he recorded 33 fourth-place finishes, showcasing his consistent performance on the racecourse. In the 1989/90 National Hunt jockeys championship, Bevan finished in 94th position, a testament to his dedication to the sport.
Amateur Rides and Point-to-Point Success
Before turning professional, Richard Bevan also made a significant impact in amateur racing. He rode in 84 races, achieving a commendable 5 winners, along with 6 second-place and 6 third-place finishes, which earned him a 19th place in the 1987/88 Amateur Riders Championship. Additionally, his point-to-point racing saw him ride 53 times, resulting in 5 victories, including a win at Aintree Racecourse. His 6 second-place finishes and 8 third-place finishes further illustrated his skill and determination on the field.
Richard Bevan Quick Stats
As a jockey Richard Bevan rode several National Hunt winners (hurdle racing and steeplechasing). These winners came as both an amateur rider and also a Conditional Jockey.
Professional Conditional Jockey
From 271 rides
11 winners
35 seconds
45 thirds
33 fourths
I finished 94th in the 1989/90 National Hunt Jockeys Championship
National Hunt Racing Amateur Jockey
From 84 rides
5 winners
6 seconds
6 thirds
9 fourths
I finished 19th in the 1987/88 Amateur Riders Championship
Point-to-Point Racing
From 53 rides
5 winners, including one at Aintree.
6 seconds
8 thirds
4 fourths
I won the 1987 North West Area Novice Leading Rider
Richard Bevan Conditional Jockey National Hunt Race Rides 1989/90 Season
This page includes newspaper cuttings, photos, finishing positions, results
151 rides… Average Starting Price Odds 21.24 to 1
Owners Prize Money £30585
Completed 126 = 83.44%
70 rides in the first 4 places = 46.3%
8x 1st 5.3% winners
12x 2nd 7.9% placed second
34x 3rd 22.5% placed third
16x 4th 10.6% placed fourth
fell 4 = 2.65% / ur 4 = 2.65% / bd 0 = 0% / co 0 = 0% / ro 0 = 0% / pu 17 = 11.26%
1989/1990 National Hunt Season
29/7/1989
Dimplex Optiflame Novices Chase
Newton Abbot Racecourse
Roy Prince 6/1 Result
Finished 1st / 7 ran
Dimplex Optiflame Novices Chase
1 Roy Prince R Bevan
2 Baby Sigh D Morris
3 Unityfarm Oltowner Peter Hobbs
4 Al-Amarady B Powell Snr
5 Vision Of Wonder Steve Smith-Eccles
6 Crimson Lady S Earle
PU Dream Merchant D O’Sullivan
Roy Prince – I won the first novice chase of the season on him (89/90)
… not many jockey’s ride the winner of this race – only one a year!
After winning this race he ran several times very quickly on hard ground, eventually breaking down very badly at Bangor-on-Dee and when he came back to racing the following year he was a horrible ride, he would run right handed at every jump and would literally take other runners with him in the process… he hung badly to the right
I rode Roy Prince 15 times all over fences
1x 1st
3x 2nd
5x 3rd
2x 4th
3x 5th
1x 6th
Video – Roy Prince winning at Newton Abbot Racecourse
Leicester Racecourse Result
Sundaysport Scoop 5th / 13 ran
22/1/1990
Stonesby Novices Hurdle
Leicester Racecourse Result
Ocean Rogue PU / 20 ran
24/1/1990
Great Expectations Novices Hurdle Qualifier
Southwell Racecourse Result
Hixon Girl Finished 5th / 12 ran
24/1/1990
Oliver Selling Hurdle
Southwell Racecourse Result
The Berwick PU / 9 ran
26/1/1990
Selby Selling Hurdle
Doncaster Racecourse Result
Sundaysport Scoop Finished 3rd / 6 ran
29/1/1990
Granite Novices Handicap Hurdle
Southwell Racecourse Result
Ocean Rogue Finished 3rd / 6 ran
29/1/1990
Rock Novices Hurdle
Southwell Racecourse Result
Hixon Girl Finished 9th / 15 ran
2/2/1990
Lee Claiming Hurdle
Southwell Racecourse Result
Sayant Finished 1st / 8 ran
Sayant… I won this all weather claiming hurdle at Southwell on him, which is sort of a real big deal (not) but it was the relief of winning that gave me satisfaction… in a previous race I’d finished 3rd on Sayant in a seller (also at Southwell) when I got shut in by a loose horse, by the time we got some daylight the race was over… after the race I got the most almighty bollocking by the trainer so getting a win on Sayant was pleasing
5 rides on Sayant all over hurdles
1x 1st
1x 3rd
1x 4th
1x 5th
1x 6th
Lee Claiming Hurdle
1 Sayant R Bevan
2 Basic Fun B McGiff
3 Golden Image I S Woods
4 Jim Bridger S Keightley
5 Stradey Castle S J O’Neill
6 Donosa B Powell Snr
7 Hidden Beauty D J Burchell
PU Dru Ri’s Bru Ri Gary Lyons
5/2/1990
Beckbury Claiming Hurdle
Wolverhampton Racecourse Result
Broken Line Finished 6th / 20 ran
7/2/1990
Monk Juvenile Novices Hurdle
Southwell Racecourse Result
Bride for a Day Finished 6th / 10 ran
7/2/1990
‘racing Post’ All Weather Challenge Round 9 Handicap Hurdle
Southwell Racecourse Result
Hill Beagle Finished 3rd / 6 ran
Perlethorpe Handicap Hurdle
1 Hill Beagle R Bevan
2 Up The Ladder A Carroll
3 Fiery Sun Russ Garritty
4 Forcello (USA) D J Burchell
5 Lake Mission R Dunwoody
6 Balnerino Steve Smith-Eccles
F Super Sol S Turner
PU Quite So J Ryan
PU Danribo B Powell Snr
PU Keep Straight R Fahey
16/2/1990
Kersall Novices Claiming Hurdle
Southwell Racecourse
Hixon Girl 10/1 Result
Finished 4th / 7 ran
16/2/1990
Halloughton Handicap Hurdle
Southwell Racecourse
Hill Beagle 5/1 Result
Finished 3rd / 9 ran
19/2/1990
Shrewsbury Cup Handicap Chase
Wolverhampton Racecourse
Covent Garden 66/1 Result
Finished 7th / 10 ran
West Tip (1986 Grand National winner) finished 6th
21/2/1990
Farnsfield Novices Hurdle
Southwell Racecourse
Bride for a Day 16/1 Result
Finished 8th / 12 ran
21/2/1990
East Stoke Novices Hurdle Qualifier
Southwell Racecourse
Prince Celtic 20/1 Result
Finished 6th / 12 ran
21/2/1990
Church Warsop Novices Handicap Hurdle
Southwell Racecourse
Ocean Rogue 10/1 Result
Finished 3rd / 6 ran
21/2/1990
Bathley Handicap Hurdle
Southwell Racecourse
Aceface 5/1 Result
Finished 5th / 12 ran
2/3/1990
New Ollerton Novices Hurdle
Southwell Racecourse Result
Prince Celtic 3rd / 6 ran
2/3/1990 I rode Prince Celtic 6/1 in the New Ollerton Novices Hurdle at Southwell Racecourse and Finished 3rd / 6 ran. Prince Celtic was having his second run on the all weather at Southwell, this time over 2 miles 6 furlongs which was another half a mile more than the first effort.
The horse wore blinkers and I found he didn’t like the sand kicking up in his face, I don’t blame him I didn’t like it much either. As a result we got behind… the horse running as if he was outpaced until he got going a bit in the second half of the race and stayed on into a well beaten 3rd.
Prince Celtic never ran on the all weather again. He was placed several times (over hurdles, all-weather hurdles and fences)… we had a couple of 2nds, four 3rds and 4th in a novice chase at Uttoxeter on Midlands Grand National Day… but the horse never won a race and to this day I don’t know why he wore blinkers.
7/3/1990
Croxton Novices Chase
Bangor on Dee Racecourse
Wyvern 100/1
UR/16 Result
7/3/1990
Chirk Novices Hurdle
Bangor on Dee Racecourse
Bride for a Day 100/1
Finished 6th / 12 ran Result
10/3/1990
Federation Brewery Legend Bitter Novices Hurdle
Doncaster Racecourse Result
Prince Celtic 12th / 18 ran
10/3/1990
Federation Brewery LCL Pils Lager Handicap Hurdle
Doncaster Racecourse Result
Hill Beagle 7th / 16 ran
16/3/1990
Whiston Four Year Old Fillies Selling Hurdle (Div I)
Wolverhampton Racecourse Result
Bride for a Day 6th / 11 ran
16/3/1990
Wheaton Aston Novices Chase
Wolverhampton Racecourse Result
Wyvern 9th / 12 ran
Uttoxeter Racecourse Result
Prince Celtic 25/1
FELL / 11 ran
I fractured my jaw and was also concussed in this fall … I spent the night in Stafford General Hospital
28/4/1990
Kelly Trucks Novices Chase
Result
Uttoxeter Racecourse
Prince Celtic 4th / 15 ran
28/4/1990
Battle Of Britain Novices Handicap Hurdle
Uttoxeter Racecourse Result
Hellbrunn 6th / 15 ran
28/4/1990
Grand Stand Handicap Hurdle
Worcester Racecourse Result
Hill Beagle 6th / 19 ran
7/5/1990
May Day Maiden Chase
Southwell Racecourse Result
Prince Celtic 3rd / 9 ran
When we won this race Ardent Spy he was 13 years old and it had been 6 years since his previous victory and to put it bluntly, if the horse hadn’t had training problems when he was younger then I would have never got to ride him, he’d of been running at Cheltenham, Ascot and Sandown rather than Uttoxeter, Southwell and Ludlow… the horse’s problems turned into a bit of luck for me!
We won the Freddy Dixon Memorial Chase at Uttoxeter and I think winning a race run in the memory of a jockey who was killed riding in a race is an honour
Freddy Dixon is buried locally to where I live and the words written on his grave stone are something to go and have a read
16 rides on Ardent Spy all over fences
1x 1st
4x 2nd
2x 3rd
3x 4th
1x 6th
3x PU
2x UR
Video – Ardent Spy winning at Uttoxeter Racecourse
Freddy Dixon Memorial Trophy Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter Racecourse
1 Ardent Spy R Bevan
2 Proverity Norman Williamson
3 Mithras Gary Lyons
4 Alice’s Boy Luke Harvey
5 Wiggburn B Powell Snr
F Green Tops B Storey
Fred Dixon
When You Lay Me To Slumber No Spot You Can Choose
But Will Ring To The Rhythm Of Galloping Shoes
And Under The Daisies No Grave Be So Deep
But The Hoofs Of The Horses Shall Sound In My Sleep
From The Hoofs Of The Horses By William Henry Ogilvie
Reflecting on the School Christmas Holidays of 1983
The school Christmas holidays of 1983 were particularly memorable for me. I had planned a unique experience at “The Duke’s” (David Nicholson), aiming for a week of “work experience” just before the festive break. Excitement filled the air as I had everything arranged; however, there was a catch – I hadn’t informed my school.
A Journey into the Unknown
In August of the same year, I already had a week-long stint at Nicholson’s, which had gone smoothly. This time, I prepared to ask my school for the last two days off to head down to Cotswold House Racing Stables. My mum wrote a letter, stating that I would not attend school for the last two days of term so I could gain some hands-on experience at The Duke’s racing stables. The setup felt promising, but I was met with reluctance from my educators.
The Unexpected Hurdle
Upon approaching Mr. Burrows, my excitement waned as he expressed his dismay. Schools had regulations for work experience, and the acquaintance I had built didn’t seem to matter. The situation escalated to Mr. Mills, who was known for his firm demeanour. After some phone calls to my mum and The Duke, my plan gradually materialized. They agreed I could leave school early, under the condition that a report be filled out by Nicholson for my return to school.
Ultimately, this adventure taught me an important lesson: sometimes, keeping things to yourself can ensure smoother sailing. I headed to The Duke’s for the Christmas holiday, and my experience was marked by the simplicity of enjoyment, capped by a report reading just one word – “Good”. Reflecting on those days, I realise how critical it is to navigate the balance between enthusiasm and communication.
The Coach and Horses Pub in Longborough were my digs while I was on work experience and I shared a room with Mark Pitman
When You Lay Me To Slumber No Spot You Can Choose
