Richard Dunwoody
Encyclopedia
Thomas Richard Dunwoody MBE (born 18 January 1964 in Belfast
, Northern Ireland
) is a retired British
jockey
in National Hunt racing
. He was a three-time Champion Jockey
, riding 1699 British winners in his career. His father was a leading Point to Point rider. Family all from Ireland and England.
four times - twice on the legendary grey Desert Orchid
in 1989 and 1990 and twice on another grey One Man
in 1995 and 1996. He also won the 1986
and 1994
Grand National
s on West Tip
and Miinnehoma
respectively, and the 1988 Cheltenham Gold Cup
on Charter Party.
He received the Lester Award
for Jump Jockey of the Year on five occasions.
On 18 January 2008, it was reported that he and American explorer Doug Stoup had reached the South Pole
following a 48 day trek raising money for charity. Their route followed one which had previously been attempted by Ernest Shackleton
and was both the first successful completion of that route on foot as well the first successfully completed new route to the South Pole in ten years.
The challenge undertaken was to emulate Robert Barclay Allardice
, of Stonehaven
, whose most famous feat was walking 1000 miles in 1000 consecutive hours for a wager of 1000 guineas in 1809, 1 June to 12 July.
If the report of the total wagers was accurate, this is equivalent to some £5 million ($US 8 million) in modern terms.
partnering Lilia Kopylova
. On 26 September 2009 Dunwoody was voted off of Strictly Come Dancing
after his first performance.
Dunwoody is a supporter of the Conservative Party
.
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
) is a retired British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
in National Hunt racing
National Hunt racing
National Hunt racing is the official name given to the sport of horse racing in the United Kingdom, France and Ireland in which the horses are required to jump over obstacles called hurdles or fences...
. He was a three-time Champion Jockey
British jump racing Champion Jockey
In Great Britain's National Hunt racing, the title of Champion Jockey is bestowed on the jockey who has ridden the most winning horses during a racing season. From its inception in 1900 through to 1925, the award was given to the jockey who had ridden the most winners during a calendar year...
, riding 1699 British winners in his career. His father was a leading Point to Point rider. Family all from Ireland and England.
Racing career
His big race victories include the King George VI ChaseKing George VI Chase
The King George VI Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of about 3 miles , and during its running there are eighteen fences to be jumped...
four times - twice on the legendary grey Desert Orchid
Desert Orchid
Desert Orchid , affectionately known as Dessie, was an English racehorse. The gallant grey achieved iconic status within National Hunt racing, where he was much loved by supporters for his front-running attacking style, iron will and extreme versatility. He was rated the fifth best National Hunt...
in 1989 and 1990 and twice on another grey One Man
One Man (horse)
One Man was an Irish-bred National Hunt steeplechase racehorse sired by Remainder Man out of the mare Steal On. The popular grey won 20 of 35 races, including the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 1998. He was trained by the late Gordon W. Richards and owned by John Hales...
in 1995 and 1996. He also won the 1986
1986 Grand National
The 1986 Grand National was the 140th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1986....
and 1994
1994 Grand National
The 1994 Grand National was the 147th official renewal the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 9 April 1994....
Grand National
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
s on West Tip
West Tip
West Tip was a racehorse who won the Grand National in 1986, ridden by Richard Dunwoody. He fell in the 1985 race at Bechers Brook on the second circuit, and finished fourth in 1987 and 1988, second in 1989, tenth in 1990, on each occasion he was ridden by Dunwoody. He was retired after the 1990...
and Miinnehoma
Miinnehoma
Miinnehoma was an Irish bred and British trained Thoroughbred racehorse most famous for his victory in the 1994 Grand National at Aintree, ridden by Richard Dunwoody, trained by Martin Pipe and owned by Freddie Starr....
respectively, and the 1988 Cheltenham Gold Cup
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
on Charter Party.
He received the Lester Award
Lester Award
A Lester Award is one of a range of awards given to jockeys at an annual ceremony in Great Britain. The awards are named in honour of Lester Piggott, an eleven-time British flat racing Champion Jockey who won thirty British Classic Races from 1954 to 1992...
for Jump Jockey of the Year on five occasions.
Charity work
He is Patron or Trustee for the charities; Sparks, Spinal Research and Racing Welfare.On 18 January 2008, it was reported that he and American explorer Doug Stoup had reached the South Pole
South Pole
The South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole...
following a 48 day trek raising money for charity. Their route followed one which had previously been attempted by Ernest Shackleton
Ernest Shackleton
Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, CVO, OBE was a notable explorer from County Kildare, Ireland, who was one of the principal figures of the period known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration...
and was both the first successful completion of that route on foot as well the first successfully completed new route to the South Pole in ten years.
Thousand-miles in a Thousand-hours
On 29 May 2009, Richard started a 1000 Mile Challenge for charity and walk the same mile 1000 consecutive times in Newmarket for 1000 consecutive hours with the last mile up the home straight of Newmarket racecourse just before the Bunbury Cup on 10 July 2009. He successfully completed the challenge raising tens of thousands of pounds for charity.The challenge undertaken was to emulate Robert Barclay Allardice
Robert Barclay Allardice
Robert Barclay Allardice , the 6th Laird of Ury, generally known as Captain Barclay, was a notable Scottish walker of the early 19th century, known as the celebrated pedestrian. His most famous feat was the walking of in 1000 hours for 1000 guineas in 1809...
, of Stonehaven
Stonehaven
Stonehaven is a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It lies on Scotland's northeast coast and had a population of 9,577 in 2001 census.Stonehaven, county town of Kincardineshire, grew around an Iron Age fishing village, now the "Auld Toon" , and expanded inland from the seaside...
, whose most famous feat was walking 1000 miles in 1000 consecutive hours for a wager of 1000 guineas in 1809, 1 June to 12 July.
If the report of the total wagers was accurate, this is equivalent to some £5 million ($US 8 million) in modern terms.
Strictly Come Dancing
On 25 August 2009 it was announced that he would take part in Series 7 of the BBC's Strictly Come DancingStrictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
partnering Lilia Kopylova
Lilia Kopylova
Lilia Andreyevna Kopylova , born 18 June 1978 in Moscow, Soviet Union, is a professional dancer.With her husband Darren Bennett she has been competing as an amateur since July 1997 and as a professional since May 2003...
. On 26 September 2009 Dunwoody was voted off of Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
after his first performance.
Personal life
His autobiography is called Obsessed which was published after his retirement - he retired due to the potential danger of long term damage to his neck. In his autobiography Dunwoody reveals that he experienced a messy divorce with his former wife Carol. Richard runs a betting advisory service, Richard Dunwoody Racing Associates Ltd. and leads riding holidays for adventure travel company Wild Frontiers. He is also a motivational speaker.Dunwoody is a supporter of the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
.