 It was with much sadness that we learnt of Ray's retirement on November 6th, 2000, due to injuries sustained that year.
Ray had been one of the senior jockeys in the UK and is very popular with many trainers across the country.
He was also voted Channel 4 TV Racing Personality of the Year in 2000.
The plane accident demonstrated the type of person he is & bonded him even closer to his pal, Frankie Dettori.
Although riding as a freelance, the trainers who most used him were Fanshawe, Balding, Cumani & Vic Soane.
Increasing weight forced him to start riding over jumps where he rode 9 winners over hurdles.
However, injuries from a fall caused him to shed the weight again and he resumed his riding career with Ron Sheather in 1979.
Horses are handicapped and so to it seems are jockeys. Since 1992, Ray finished 1st five times in the annual jockeys table compiled by computer racing expert, John Whiteley.
In late June, 2002, Ray felt compelled to take Godolphin Ltd. to court to seek damages for the injuries he received in the plane crash and for the subsequent lost future career earnings. Let us all hope that a mutually beneficial arrangement can be found for all parties.
Date of Birth :18.06.57
Born: Ulster.
Weight: 8st 4 lbs---52.5kgs
Apprenticeship: Barry Hills
1st win: Romany Way, Windsor, 01.08.74
Career Winners 1974--2000: around 1,600
Centuries in a season: 7
Group Winners: Over 81 Group Race wins to date
STABLE JOCKEY:
Luca Cumani: 1987
Guy Harwood: 1990
Luca Cumani: 1993
CLASSIC WINS:
1,000 Guineas--Midway Lady, 1986
Oaks---Midway Lady, 1986
Derby---Kahyasi, 1988
Irish Derby--Kahyasi, 1988
Irish 1,000 Guineas: Ensconse, 1989
French 1,000 Guineas: Valentine Waltz, 1999
OTHER BIG RACE WINS:
St.James's Palace Stakes--Chief Singer 1984, Half a Year 1987
July Cup--Chief Singer 1984 & Polish Patriot 1989
Coronation Cup---Sherrif's Star 1989
Sussex Stakes--Chief Singer 1984
Yorkshire Oaks---Only Royale 1993
Champion Stakes--Legal Case 1989
Lockinge Stakes--Selkirk 1992
QEII Stakes--Selkirk 1991
Prix de L'Abbaye--My Best Valentine 1998
Cualfield Cup--Taufan's Melody 1998 and
Middle Park Stakes
Coronation Cup
Heinz 57 (twice)
Rothman's International
E.P.Taylor Stakes
Turf Classic
Presidente de la Republica
Gobierno Vasco.
Ray rode 81 Group 1 Winners in the UK, France, Ireland, US, Canada, Australia, Italy & Spain and participated in a Jockeys' Challenge in Barbados in the early 1990's.
Career UK wins from 1986:
1986: 89
1987: 111 (3rd)
1988: 120
1989: 120
1990: 110
1991: 102
1992: 100
1993: 83
1994: 79
1995: 104
1996: 86
1997: 53
1998: 59
1999: 67
2000: 30
and 9 hurdle race wins !
Ray is now acting as agent and booking rides for Frankie Dettori.
We feel that they will make a great team combination and this could help Dettori become champion again.
 You can post bookings for Dettori using Ray's calendar....just pick your day and write your message.
Use Ray's Diary
For all business propositions concerning Frankie, please get in touch with his business manager, Peter Burrell who can be contacted on + 44 (0) 207 352 4448 or fax: +44 (0) 207 352 9697.
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