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Richard
Dunwoody calls it a day at Perth.
Richard
Dunwoody who in the opinion of many racegoers was the greatest National
Hunt jockey of all time finally hung up his boots after riding a
treble at Perth today. Although his retirement would not be officially
announced for a further 2 months this day at Perth will always be
remembered as Dunwoody's swansong. The 2 day meeting had started
well for Richard having ridden Hoh Invader to victory in the novice
chase on the Friday. That race produced its own tragedy however,
as it was the race in which Scott Taylor was so tragically injured.
Scott's injury had a deeply profound effect on his weighing room
colleagues not least of whom Richard Dunwoody, who had been carrying
his own injury problems around with him for some time.
The
following day started well for Richard, the Philip Hobbs trained
Blue Music obliged in the first, while Queensway, also trained for
Peter trotted up in the handicap chase.
Then the problems started.
Classic Manoeuvre fell two out when in with a winning chance and
afterwards Richards felt the twinges of his old arm injury.
Putting this to one side with typical bravery Richard rode Twin
Falls to victory in the last. A particularly difficult horse to
ride with a reputation of having a mind of his own, Richard gave
him the ride of his life. Very few jockeys would have won on that
horse on the day.
At the time, no one suspected that they were seeing the man who
rode 1699 career winners, riding in his last race, let alone Richard
himself. He finally bowed to the inevitable in December of that
year but in his own words " as last rides go, it was one of
the better ones"
We wish Richard well in his new career in the media and with his
sports promotion company.
He will always get a warm welcome at Perth.
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