Legends Of The Turf Unveiled In Newmarket

The Swinburn family, Sir Michael Stoute and local schoolchildren at the unveiling

A ceremony in Newmarket High Street on Thursday saw the unveiling of four commemorative paving stones honouring the achievements of the latest batch of inductees into the town's 'Legends of the Turf' project.

The project was officially launched in July 2014 when the first six commemorative paving slabs were laid in Newmarket High Street. The recipients of these awards were voted for by the community, recognising contributions made in three different categories: horses, jockeys, and other racing personalities. The latest four Legends are Pebbles, Walter Swinburn, Sir Jack Jarvis and Willie Snaith, who join the likes of Hyperion, Frankel, Fred Archer and Sir Henry Cecil among those already inducted.

Pebbles (GB) (Sharpen Up) was a Newmarket horse through and through. Bred by Captain Marcos Lemos, she was conceived at Side Hill Stud, reared at Ashley Heath Stud and trained in Carlburg Stables in the Bury Road by Clive Brittain. Her sire had been trained by Bernard van Cutsem in Stanley House Stables, her dam by Clive Brittain and her maternal grandsire by Sir Noel Murless in Warren Place before standing at Wood Ditton Stud. She won at Newmarket in each of her three seasons in training, with her second season highlighted by her triumphs in the G1 1000 Guineas S. Her most momentous victories, however, came in the G1 Eclipse and GI Breeders' Cup Turf in 1985. She became the first filly or mare ever to land the former, which had been inaugurated 99 years previously, while she was the first British-trained horse to win at a Breeders' Cup Meeting.

Walter Swinburn ranks as one of the greatest jockeys of the 20th century. Just 19 when he was appointed stable jockey to Michael Stoute, the partnership was an instant success, given a kick-start by the wide-margin victories of Shergar (Ire) in the 1981 Derby and King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond S.

Swinburn spent the final two decades of the 20th century regarded as arguably the best big-race rider in the world, with his CV ultimately boasting two more Derby victories and myriad other great triumphs, including the victory of Desert King (Ire) in the National S. in 1996, the first Group 1 winner ever trained by Aidan O'Brien. He retired from the saddle in 2000. He subsequently trained for a few years, and tragically died in December 2016, aged only 55.

Walter Swinburn was represented at the ceremony by his parents Wally (himself formerly a top-class rider, twice champion jockey in Ireland) and Doreen, his daughters Claudia and Millie, brother Michael, and Sir Michael Stoute.

Born in 1887, John Layton 'Jack' Jarvis was apprenticed to his father William Arthur Jarvis, trainer of the great racehorse and stallion Cyllene (GB). He was a successful apprentice both on the Flat and then over jumps before becoming one of three sons of William Jarvis to train a British Classic winner. He was champion trainer in 1939, 1951 and 1953.

Sir Jack Jarvis was knighted by the Queen for services to horseracing in 1967, the year before he died. His other distinctions included the unique achievement of winning the biggest race in Scotland, the Ayr Gold Cup, as both jockey and trainer. He was represented at the ceremony by his great-nephew, current Newmarket trainer William Jarvis, and great-nieces Jane George and Melanie Shuttler.

Willie Snaith was one of England's most successful jockeys in the post-war years. He rode nearly 1,000 winners, but was honoured as much for his contribution to the community as for his achievements in the saddle. Snaith was awarded the MBE by the Queen in 2004. Now 90, and sadly in poor health, he was unable to attend the ceremony, but was represented by his son John (himself a former jockey) and grand-daughter Millie.

 

 

Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.

Copy Article Link

X

Never miss another story from the TDN

Click Here to sign up for a free subscription.