‘World’s greatest jockey’ treated at Salisbury Infirmary

John O’Toole at front of stretcher carrying Gordon Richards

With such a strong connection to horse racing in Salisbury it is surprising that more details aren’t reflected in our archives. That is until the photograph above arrived with us and shows John O’Toole, at the front of the stretcher, with patient jockey Sir Gordon Richards. This set us off to investigate more…

Sir Gordon Richards (1904-1986) was considered the world’s greatest jockey, as British Flat Racing champion 26 times, and it the only flat jockey to ever receive a Knighthood. In 1954 a pelvis injury meant he was hospitalised and eventually ended his riding career but he went on to continue as a trainer.

You can also watch as Sir Gordon is seen leaving Salisbury General Infirmary on Derby day on this film on YouTube. Derby “Hopes” Aka Derby Hopes (1954), British Pathé (36 secs in)