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The
son of a miner, Gordon Richards was born on 5th May 1904, and was
raised in a family of eight brothers and sisters in the Shropshire
village of Donnington Wood, now part of Telford.
His
father reared several pit ponies at their home, and it was in this
environment that Sir Gordon fostered his love of the equestrian.
He
rode the ponies bareback from an early age, then from the age of
seven, drove the pony and trap passenger service his family ran
between Wrockwardine Wood and Oakengates station.
It
was at that age no doubt that he developed his unique riding style,
using a long rein and an upright stance.
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Sir
Gordon's 100th win of the 1945 season
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"I
can't remember ever being told how to ride," Sir Gordon
once said.
"I
just got on a pony's back and away I went."
Sir
Gordon left school at the age of 13, and initially worked as a junior
clerk in St George's often riding a pony to work, then leaving it
tied up in a nearby field for the day.
Even
then he knew that his ambition was to work with horses, and made
several unsuccessful applications to nearby stables in the hope
of becoming a stable boy.
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This
article is based on information first published by Alex Byles
in the Wellington News
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After
a tip off from work colleagues who recognised his passion for horses,
he finally got his foot on the first rung on the ladder to his dream
of being a jockey, becoming a stable boy at Fox Hollies Stable in
Wiltshire, owned by Jimmy White.
Despite
the inevitable difficulties a young lad of 15 years would experience
with such a huge move away from his family, it wasn't long before
his riding skills were noticed by his new employer, but in the competitive
world of racing, he still needed a big break.
Bizarrely,
a football match against the workers at neighbouring Ogsbourne Stables
was the unlikely turning point in his fortunes, and provided the
break he desperately wanted.
Fox
Hollies stable-owner White had money on his lads to win the match,
and with only five minutes remaining, the score was three-all, with
his team to take a penalty.
White
insisted the young Sir Gordon should take the penalty, and offered
him the opportunity to ride in the race at Lincoln the next day
- if he scored.
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Sir
Gordon Richards and his trainer, F.T Templeman.
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Given
such an incentive, Richards scored the goal, and the game was won.
The elated stable- boy, rode well in Lincoln.
Now
there was no stopping him and not long after his debut he won his
first race at Leicester in March 1921.
With
the determination and single-mindedness that was his trademark,
he achieved his dream of becoming a fully-fledged Jockey in 1925,
and went on to become champion jockey in his first year, notching
up 118 wins.
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