Racing
Racing
The Prince of Wales is an accomplished horseman and in the 1980s rode in a number of competitive races.
The Prince made his debut as a jockey in 1980 at a charity race at Plumpton, East Sussex.
His Royal Highness came second on Long Wharf in the two-mile Madhatters Private Stakes on 4th March. His horse was 13-8 favourite.
Four days later at Sandown, The Prince rode in his first steeplechase, the Duke of Gloucester Memorial Trophy hunter chase.
His Royal Highness rode Sea Swell for Lambourn trainer Nick Gaselee, finishing fourth.
The Prince, familiar with jumping in the show ring, cross country team events and polo, bought his first racehorse in May 1980, Allibar, a 10-year-old bay gelding.
In one race, on 24th October 1980, at Ludlow, Shropshire, he came second in a field of 12. Sadly Allibar died of a heart attack in February 1981.
That year The Prince bought Good Prospect, a 12-year-old bay gelding who was also a steeplechaser.
The Prince rode him twice, in the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown on 13th March, and in the Kim Muir Memorial Challenge Cup at Cheltenham four days later - but fell on both occasions.
On 21st May 1981, The Prince rode in his last race, at Newton Abbot, Devon, on Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's horse Upton Grey, finishing ninth.
The Prince's racing colours were scarlet with royal blue sleeves and black cap.
In summarising his racing career, The Prince's former trainer Nick Gaselee said His Royal Highness had not been credited over the years for his racing achievement: “To come in the top four in his first three races is a record any professional jockey would be proud of, and that is despite his many other commitments at that time.”