Episode 230: Ron Hutchinson (Part 2)

Ron recalls the telegram he received from famous Irish trainer Paddy Prendergast offering him a stable retainer. He remembers his early months in Ireland and an Irish 2000 Guineas win on Kythnos to get the ball rolling. Ron looks back on a successful Royal Ascot week in 1960, and a surprise offer from one of England’s most high profile owners. He pays tribute to the loyalty of the  Duke Of Norfolk who retained him for seventeen years. Ron looks back on the day he was able to deliver the Duke’s dearest wish- a win in the Ascot Gold Cup. “Hutchy” pays tribute to British racing legends John Dunlop, Harry Wragg and Lester Piggot. He looks back on his greatest racing disappointment. He expected to be on Charlottown in the 1966 Epsom Derby but lost the ride to fellow Australian Scobie Breasley. Ron explains that he almost certainly could have ridden Shirley Heights in the 1978 Epsom Derby, but had decided to retire at the end of 1977. He remembers his pride in donning the Royal colours. His very first ride for the Queen was a winner at Lingfield. Ron remembers his excitement when Balmerino arrived in England. He identified the talented New Zealander as the horse to bring down the curtain on his career. He remembers that tempting offers delayed his retirement. Ron looks back on his final 3 seasons of riding in Malaysia/Singapore. He won another premiership before retiring at 53. He reflects on many a race fall in 33 years of riding, but admits that he was one of the luckier ones. We reminisce about a lovely night I shared with Ron and Norma Hutchinson at their Surrey home in 1973. He confesses he was always bringing friends home for dinner at short notice.