Unsung Heroes - David

by

Sue Wingate

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DavidSome of us follow our dreams only to discover that they don't necessarily lead us where we expect them to ....

At some point in his childhood David Goodwin decided to become a jockey. Growing up in the seaside town of Largs in Scotland with no family history of any connection with horses, a career centred upon riding then must have seemed highly unlikely. However, the seeds of life to come are invariably already germinating within us as children and David remained remarkably true to his purpose, even in the absence of encouragement.

An avid fan of westerns, David felt that he really "fancied" riding and set about finding the only means of doing so available to him. Thus, childhood summers were spent almost entirely on the beach helping to care for a string of ponies giving ride on the sands. In return, David taught himself to ride by taking the ponies to the stable and out to the fields, often riding bareback. "I always had the idea that I could ride before I ever sat on a horse" he says, "I got on one in a field one evening, with no tack, just bareback and free and cantered around! Riding always appealed to me but I can't explain where the desire came from.

David explains that his natural interest in riding expanded to encompass horse racing after one day visiting Ayr racecourse with some school friends and he became ‘hooked'. The boys became quite inventive at finding ways onto the race course since the entrance cost would have required rather more than their weekly pocket money!

David says "At first I liked jump racing better because there were smaller crowds and standing by the last fence was very exciting. The flat races seemed to be over in a flash!"

"I decided that I was going to be a jockey. I never expected to spend my life as a stable lad but when you are young it is important to have a goal and mine was to be a professional jockey. However, hopes and dreams are easily dashed and there is a real lack of guidance for youngsters away from home, as I found out to my cost".

Undetermined by his mother's protests that he should ‘get a proper job' (which in that part of the country almost certainly meant a job in the shipbuilding industry), David insisted on going to work in a racing yard. His first job was with Ken Oliver in Scotland but before long he moved south to Hampshire to work for Vernon Cross at the historic Chaltis Hill Stables near Stockbridge - former home of The Tetrarch - one of the most brilliant racehorses of the century.

"Working there was a real eye opener. I realised that people in racing don't want you to become a jockey. What they want is for you to ride out three or four lots every day - you're most useful that way. It isn't in their interest to promote young riders and most trainers don't want to spend time teaching apprentices."


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In fact David learnt far more from the other lads. "There is always at least one who has racing experience and who rides the best horses in the yard, so it is best to try and emulate him. It is a ‘sink or swim' situation and the truth is that many of the successful jockeys are related to other people in racing who are prepared to give them the support they need to get started. There are many young riders who have talent but they need to be given a chance to develop."

Like David, they soon realise that their dreams of becoming jockeys are slipping away from them that the majority do stay in the business and become a valued work riders. Good stable lads are the most vital part of any training establishment. Most develop a special understanding with the horses they ride every day and on so called ‘unmanageable' horses are transformed in the hands of a sympathetic lad.

Before David abandoned his ideas of becoming a professional jockey he did at least have a taste of success on the racecourse. Through a friend he was put in touch with trainer Alan Oughton and went to work for him as a seven pound claimer apprentice and rode his first winner Blaimeless Stall. Sadly Alan died soon afterwards and his wife carried on with running the yard. Despite riding her first winner David soon found that her owner preferred to use the established stable jockeys and he was basically left with the ‘no hopers'.

Over the years David moved through a succession of jobs with various trainers. By the time he found himself working in Epsom he was disillusioned and frustrated, feeling that he had ‘missed the boat'. However, whilst there David met Jean and they have since had many happy years together.

After a summer spent riding in Germany David found himself in Newmarket with Jean and at a crossroads in his life. He was 25 and he knew that his dream of becoming a jockey was over. Living in Newmarket it would have been hard to resist working in racing and David got a job with trainer Michael Stoute who was then becoming a major force on the racing scene. At last, given the opportunity to ride really top quality horses, David realised that his work was fulfilling but in a way he had not foreseen. He says "Having decided to stay with horses, then I wanted to be with the best. I stayed a couple of years during which I broke Shergar in and rode him away.

"Quite early as a two year old he showed the lot of promise and of course he turned out to be exceptional. I discovered that I really enjoyed working with better quality horses and in the different atmosphere of Newmarket - which is so much better than anywhere else."

"The job satisfaction lies in the good horses. They are what makes it worthwhile; and to be involved with them, to ride and look after them through their careers - that is what is so rewarding."

David work riding - horse with pink bandagesIn 1981 David moved to Henry Cecil's renowned yard at the top of Warren Hill and found what he describes as his ‘spiritual home'. "There were so many good horses, very good horses, I thought ‘This place has been waiting for me all my life'" David reflects: "The lads were top, experienced people and the place just ran so smoothly. All horses were capable of winning but anything less than a Group horse was barely rated."

"The 80's, riding at Warren Place were the best years of my working life and I was fortunate to be there when I was. At last it did feel right to be there and it was the right time. Admittedly it was not my original ambition but nevertheless, in its own right, it was a pleasure and a privilege." The greatest goal for a stable lad is still to ‘do' a horse that wins a Classic race - above all, the Derby. David is adamant that "the Derby is still the best race there is in my opinion. It doesn't get any better than looking after a Derby winner."

David with Slip AnchorIn this respect life has been good to David. Not only did he look after one Derby winner, but two! The first, Slip Anchor in 1985 was ridden by American jockey Steve Cauthen and rarely has the race been won more easily. Sadly, Slip Anchor was not given true credit for his victory according to David. "On the day, not many horses could have beaten him. He had the field beaten from the top of the hill and the race became a procession. Steve Cauthen was the ideal jockey and gave him a great ride."

"The horse had a colossal stride and was in the form of his life that day. Unfortunately he later strained a joint and was never quite the same again - the magic had gone."

Eight years later, David had his second Derby winner Commander-in-Chief, a son of the brilliant Dancing Brave. Apparently the only thing the brilliant Commander-in-Chief had in common with Slip Anchor was talent. He was a very relaxed individual with a wonderful temperament.

If pushed to do so, David would admit to Commander-in-Chief being his favourite racehorse yet the horse is also the cause of his greatest regret in racing ...

David with Commander-in-ChiefCommander-in-Chief's racecourse career proved all too brief. According to David the horse had his first real gallop in the March of his three-year-old career. He had three winning runs prior to the Derby where he was well suited by the strong gallop and distance. Jockey Mick Kinane said afterwards "He just took off!" He had so much speed at that distance and could quicken off a strong gallop - a sure sign of class. Commander-in-Chief then won the Irish Derby in style before being beaten in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot almost certainly because he had had several races in such a short space of time and simply needed a break. David feels passionately about the decision to retire the horse not long afterwards. "He should have stayed in training as he would have made the wonderful four year old. He was still inexperienced when he retired. The horse was 100% sound, there was never anything wrong with him."

"You see so many come and go but this horse could have been a real champion. It was the worst day of my life in racing when he went ..... to Japan too, where I would never see him again. It is a tragedy that history will show him to be a good horse - not a great one. One more year and people would have recognised just how good he was, and it was a crime that he didn't stay here as a stallion."

It is evident that time has not soothed David's feelings about his horse and one suspects that it never will.

In 1996 it seemed possible that David would lead in yet another Derby winner - Dushyantor, but fate decided that he would finish second to Shaamit. Although David describes him as a lovely horse, Dushyantor never really grew up and didn't quite fulfil his potential.

Derby days and other big race meetings are the highlights of the season for David others like him. Most days and weeks pass by with nothing remarkable to recall... days of mucking out three horses, riding out three ‘lots' and twice a week riding ‘work' - the strong gallops which put an edge on the horses' condition. Work days tend to be the highlight of the week and the lads get involved in the progress of their horses and look forward to targeted races.

David has travelled with many horses to the races over the years and enjoys the social aspect of meeting up with friends from other yards. Occasionally there are trips abroad, usually to Europe but sometimes further afield such as David's trip to the Breeders Cup in Toronto. He says it was a fantastic trip despite not winning!

So what does life hold for David now? Why after many wonderful years at Warren Place has he just moved to a yard the other side of town to work for new trainer Jeremy Noseda? He says "I felt in need of a change. It is possible to become a bit jaded even in the best of places. It is interesting working for a trainer just getting established and a change can be stimulating."

Assessing his working life David concludes "It wasn't quite what I anticipated but racing has been quite good to me. It is true that my original ambitions were not fulfilled but looking at it from another angle I have been very fortunate. I've met nice people, ridden good horses and had lots of fun. How many people can say that? Racing was my saviour. I have earned my living through a sport I love and I can't imagine having had anything better."

Contents Page
Racing Unsung Heroes
Free Competition!
Badminton
Iberian Horses
Dressage Heavy Horses
Rare Breeds Survival Trust
Featured Stud
A Very Brave Woman
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From the Editor
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