Walton resident and former champion flat racer Clifford Taylor, aged 93, began his career as an apprentice jockey in Epsom aged 12. He reflects on his early years, the constant challenges of weight control and the proudest moments of a life in the saddle.
How did you get started in racing?
My family moved to Hersham in 1937, and on Derby Day morning, my father woke my three siblings and me early to go up to Epsom Downs to watch the horses training. That morning was my inspiration - from that moment on, I knew I wanted to ride horses.
A few years later, when I was 10, I saw a man like myself, small in stature, riding a bicycle.
I had heard my father mention that a famous jockey lived nearby, so I ran alongside him and said, “Are you Mr Kenny Robinson?” He kept riding, so I called out, “I want to become a jockey!”
He stopped, dismounted, and asked where I lived. Then he said, “Tell your parents that I’ll call on them at 7pm tonight.” True to his word, he arrived that evening and told my parents he’d spoken to Johnny Dines, a trainer at Epsom, who was keen to meet me that Sunday afternoon.
When we met, Mr Dines said I was too young at the time to join his stable, but he would arrange riding lessons twice a week. My school, Ambleside, allowed me to miss school on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I could attend.
My riding lessons were held at Wonnacott’s Stables in Claygate, beside old brickmakers’ yard.
I usually rode either a Sheltland pony named Safety-pin or a roan filly named Sally, and our rides always took us through the soft, winding horse trails of Oxshott Woods.
As I approached my 13th birthday, I told my parents that I wanted to start riding racehorses. Another trip was arranged to see Johnny Dines at Epsom, and the outcome was that I joined his stable - Larchfields – as an apprentice jockey at just twelve years and nine months old.V
Clifford Taylor
What was a typical day like as an apprentice jockey?
The day usually started around 6:45am, six days a week, but during the racing season, any horses that were due to race in the coming week were exercised even on Sunday mornings.
All apprentices were normally assigned two horses, but because of my age, I was only responsible for one - a small grey filly named 'Thirsty'.
Come rain or shine, the day was spent mucking out the stables, grooming the horses, saddling up for the day’s exercise, feeding twice daily, and generally maintaining the yard. This included painting, weeding, and any other jobs that Mrs Dines decided needed doing.
It was hard work, but it taught discipline, responsibility, and a deep respect for the horses – lessons that stayed with me throughout my life.
What was your first ride in a horse race like?
My first ride ever was in 1947 at Alexandra Park on a horse called Pinnoh. Sir Gordon Richards rode the winner that day, and, in typical racing terms, I was among the also-rans.
Even though I didn’t win, it was an incredible experience – the excitement, the crowd, and just being part of a proper race. It’s a memory that has stayed with me ever since.
Clifford Taylor
What were the main challenges you faced as a jockey?
Weight was certainly one of the biggest challenges. I was on a strict diet all year round, running in multiple layers and taking extremely hot baths to keep my weight to around seven stone. I lived mainly on processed bread and boiled eggs.
On a few occasions, I had no option but for my horse to carry an extra pound overweight. It was generally accepted that three pounds on the handicap equated to roughly one length in a five- or six-furlong race - so every ounce mattered.
My valet, Fred Dyer, once lent me a white leather saddle belonging to the well-known jockey Charlie Smirke, which weighed only a pound.
My governor, Mr Dick Perryman, was not at all happy when he saw it, as he knew that, as a last resort, he would have to protect the horse’s belly by threading a race card through the girth before buckling it up.
This created an added responsibility, as it was crucial that the race card remained in place at the start of the race.
Although early on in my career, the problem was actually the opposite. At 14, I weighed just 5st 11lbs and stood at 4’4”. On one occasion, when I rode a filly, Star of India at Newmarket, the saddle with the weight cloth was too heavy for me to carry easily. My trainer, Johnny Dines, had to get permission from the meeting's stewards to carry my saddle back into the Clerk of the Scales.
We went to incredible lengths just to make weight and stay competitive in the sport.
What was a typical day like at your peak as a jockey?
Around the age of 18, I had a growth spurt, and keeping my weight in check became a constant challenge.
The daily routine was intense – mornings were spent exercising and schooling the horses, followed by racing preparation, attending race meetings, and managing travel between courses.
Even at my peak, much of the day was still about looking after the horses, reviewing training plans with the trainer, and keeping fit. It was a delicate balance – too much weight gain or fatigue could affect performance, so the pressure was always there.
Clifford Taylor
What are your proudest moments in racing?
There are a few that still stand out clearly, even after all these years.
One was in 1949, when I finished third on Colorado Star in the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot.
There were 40 runners that day – some of the finest jockeys in the country – and to finish among them was an incredibly proud moment.
Another proud memory was riding Col-de-Soud to victory, beating none other than Sir Gordon Richards, who was the champion of his era. To get the better of him, even once, was something very special. On two other occasions, I finished fourth, and Sir Gordon won both races.
What were your scariest moments in racing?
One of the scariest moments was riding Fanny in Bermuda. Just after leaving the starting gate, my saddle split in two.
Somehow, I managed to extricate myself and finished the race riding bareback.
Considering that the track was rock based with just a thin coating of sand, I was very fortunate not to be injured. It was a reminder of just how unpredictable and dangerous the sport can be – but also how determination and quick thinking can get you through.
Clifford Taylor
What did racing teach you, and what would you want to pass on?
Racing was a privilege that taught me respect and discipline. It also gave me the confidence to meet people from all walks of life, something I’ve valued ever since.
Would you have done anything differently?
Not at all. I would do exactly the same things as I have always done. Every experience, good or bad, shaped who I have become.
What do you miss most about racing?
I miss riding the horses. The thrill of being in the saddle, feeling the pace and energy, is truly unimaginable – nothing else comes close.
Clifford Taylor
How has racing changed since your time?
A: The biggest change I’ve noticed is that there aren’t really any small jockeys around anymore. In my day, the lightest weight a horse was set to carry was around 6st 7lbs, whereas today it’s 8st 4lbs - roughly my current weight!
The sport has become more commercial and physically demanding in different ways, but the fundamentals of skill, courage, and connection with the horse remain the same.
Racing has changed so much since then. Who do you rate among the greats?
People often talk about the great jockeys, and rightly so. Sir Gordon Richards still holds the British record with 4,870 winners – a figure that’s never been matched.
Frankie Dettori, who’s been a global ambassador for flat racing, has around 3,300 to 3,400 winners to his name, but what he’s achieved internationally is remarkable.
Who is your favourite jockey of all time?
Without a doubt, Sir Tony McCoy. He rode an astonishing 4,358 winners over jumps, more than any other jockey in history.
What made him truly exceptional wasn’t just the numbers, but the way he combined raw courage, technical brilliance, consistency, and relentless willpower like no one else.
He set the standard for toughness and determination in racing, and his legacy will stand for generations.
