Willie Carson, the legendary jockey who remains the only person to have ridden a horse he bred to victory in a Classic race, has offered invaluable advice to current and aspiring jockeys.
A Historic Achievement
The 83-year-old Scot, who retired after a career spanning over three decades, won the British Champion Jockey title five times between 1972 and 1983. However, his unique place in history came from breeding and riding Minster Son to victory in the 1988 St Leger Stakes.
Carson, speaking exclusively to Daily Star Sport on behalf of Horse.Bet, recalled the remarkable story behind that triumph. Minster Son was owned by Lady Beaverbrook and trained by Major Dick Hearn.
The Inside Story
Carson explained: "Lady Beaverbrook bought this horse because she was buying Niniski, her stallion. I asked her to look at the horse, and she ended up buying it. Dick Hearn, the trainer I rode for, I told him about it. Lord Cadogan, then Lord Chelsea, was interested in buying, unknown to me."
He continued: "I believe the story was told to me afterwards that there was a deal between those two owners, Lady Beaverbrook and Lord Chelsea, that up to £20,000, it would be Lord Chelsea's, and then Lady Beaverbrook could come in and bid. It got to £16,000 and stopped. Chelsea was sitting with Dick Hearn, and he nudged him and said, 'Make the old lady pay!' So Minster Son went up to £36,000."
The horse was only beaten once as a three-year-old, finishing fifth or sixth in the Derby.
Advice for Jockeys
Carson believes his early involvement in bloodstock gave him an edge that today's jockeys can emulate. He urged riders to study pedigrees: "Get to know your pedigrees because it'll help you with distances on horses and characters and stuff like that. It is a help in riding a race, knowing the pedigree and the breeding."
Now attending Royal Ascot, Carson continues to observe the sport closely, offering wisdom from his unparalleled experience.
