A word that engenders all that is good and great about enthusiastic amateurism…
Down the centuries, our sport has seen several hardy souls whose lack of talent has been more than compensated by the Corinthian spirit. Showing incredible bravery, they have launched themselves around the racecourses of the land with scant regard for their long term welfare…
The thrill of the chase. The potent mixture of hope and fear providing an alluring cocktail for mind and body. A drug. And like all drugs, it’s hard to give up…
The first Corinthian I can remember was the long nosed Spanish aristocrat, the remarkable Duc De Alburquerque (spelling….??). Lacking in equestrian talent but clearly imbued with remarkable strength of character and enthusiasm, the Duc was a feature of the great Grand Nationals of my youth. Nereo his mount. They would set off in those helter skelter madcap days of enormous fences and 40 plus runner fields – and almost inevitably, the grand old Duc would wake up in Fazakerley Hospital having parted company with his equally gallant partner and bounced awkwardly across Aintree turf. Probably picking up a kick from a passing hoof for good measure…
I am pretty sure he completed the course a couple of times – 6th on Nereo one year ?? And I imagine the achievement being heartily celebrated amidst Magnums of something very good and long cigars at the bar of The Adelphi…
Brod Munro-Wilson and The Drunken Duck winning The Foxhunters at Cheltenham. Peter O’Sullevan referring to Brod’s inimitable style as ‘handling his reins as if he were playing a violin…”
See below video – some great, great equine and human names….
More recently, Sam Waley-Cohen was as close to a professional Corinthian as we will ever see…
Racing needs characters – and always a shame when they slip away from the saddle…
David Maxwell’s style, by his own admission, would not have won awards at the local Pony Club gymkhana let alone at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown. But he rode for himself and for the sheer joy of it all. And he will inevitably struggle with the cold turkey that comes with conclusion…
He has brought colour and enthusiasm and guts and bravery – he will miss the thrill badly…
In an age when amateur corinthians are very few and far between, David’s love of the sport was tangible. I hope he finds another vehicle for the mind and body very soon. Clearly a wise man, and there are gaps aplenty at several top tables….
