1986-1995 Walter Bentley
Walter Bentley, born deep in the South Yorkshire mining town of Barnsley on 15th January 1936, was the son of a miner, although Walter showed riding talent from an early age and joined the Middleham stables of Avril Vasey when Vasey was living at Ferngill. Walter partnered his first winner, Langton Lady, in the Apprentice Handicap Plate at Catterick on Friday 31st July 1953. Two years later, in November 1955 he won the November Handicap at Manchester riding Tearaway 40/1 when riding for middleham trainer Sam Hall. Less than 6 months after that victory he won the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar for another Middleham trainer, Jack Fawcus, steering Tale of Two Cities to victory. Walter married Freda (nee Robinson) on 8th May 1959, the couple setting up their home in Middleham, and the marriage was blessed with two children, Antony and Deborah. Although he was a good lightweight jockey, high profile winners were hard to come by for Walter, but he did ride Chester well, particularly on low drawn horses, winning the 1970 Chester Cup on Altogether 33/1, owned by Darwin scrap metal dealer Bill Bolton, and following up 3 years later with Crisalgo 12/1 for owner Jack Hanson. In 1979 Walter retired from race riding and successfully applied for a trainer's licence, basing himself in the second yard at Ashgill. In his first year he had a string of 8, but despite the small string he managed to guide Primula Boy to victory in the 1979 Ayr Gold Cup at 40/1 in the hands of future son-in-law Willie Higgins, although it paid over 100/1 on the Tote. Walter had a good working relationship with Primula Ltd who later sponsored a race at Newmarket in 1985 which was won by their own horse Miss Primula 20/1 trained again by Walter. Walter was also on good terms with Thirsk racecourse who, in 1985, ran the Walter Bentley Stakes which was divided into two divisions, the first went to Magic Bid trained by Barry Hills, the second to Darnit trained in Malton by Jimmy Etherington. The next year the same race became the Steve Norton Stakes. In 1985, and with his string standing at 13, he decided to transfer to Highwall Stables on the outskirts of the town of Middleham, beginning with 14 horses. Walter once again enjoyed success with a Primula colt, namely Miss Primula, in 1987 when the mare was in foal to Say Primula but still ran up a sequence of 3 consecutive victories before finishing a good third in the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot behind Bel Byou and Dorking Lad. The string remained reasonably constant between 13 and 15 horses until 1991 when it dropped to just 10 and reduced still further in the next two years to 9 in 1994 and then 2, both owned by his wife. In February 1995 Walter retired from the training ranks and the stables were next occupied by Ferdy Murphy. During his retirement Walter was on holiday in Tenerife in 2005 when he suffered a devastating heart attack, but was well treated by the local hospital and was able to make his way back to England. He enjoyed a further decade of retirement, but died in June 2015 aged 79.
1953 Apprentice Handicap Plate at Catterick LANGTON LADY 11/8 fav trained by Avril Vasey and ridden by Walter Bentley
1955 November Handicap at Manchester TEARAWAY 40/1 owned by Jack Hanson, trained by Sam Hall and ridden by Walter Bentley
1956 Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar TALE OF TWO CITIES 10/1 owned by J McLean, trained by Jack Fawcus and ridden by Walter Bentley
1970 Chester Cup ALTOGETHER 33/1 owned by Bill Bolton trained by Bill Murray and ridden by Walter Bentley
1973 Chester Cup CRISALGO 12/1 owned by Jack Hanson, trained by Mac Turner and ridden by Walter Bentley
1979 Allendale Handicap at Doncaster PRIMULA BOY 11/1 owned by Primula Ltd, trained by Walter Bentley and ridden by Willie Higgins
1979 Ayr Gold Cup PRIMULA BOY 40/1 owned by Primula Ltd, trained by Walter Bentley and ridden by Willie Higgins
1985 Primula Maiden Stakes at Newmarket MISS PRIMULA 20/1 owned by Kavli, trained by Walter Bentley and ridden by R Guest
1985 Primula Maiden Stakes at Newmarket MISS PRIMULA 20/1 owned by Kavli, trained by Walter Bentley and ridden by R Guest
1987 Leith Races Apprentice Handicap at Edinburgh MISS PRIMULA 10/1 owned by Kavli, trained by Walter Bentley and ridden by R Lappin
1987 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Handicap at Hamilton MISS PRIMULA 9/2 owned by Kavli, trained by Walter Bentley and ridden by R Lappin
1987 Langs Supreme Handicap at Hamilton MISS PRIMULA 3/1 fav owned by Kavli, trained by Walter Bentley and ridden by R Lappin
1987 Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot MISS PRIMULA 16/1 owned by Kavli, trained by Walter Bentley and ridden by P Burke, third behind Bel Byou and Dorking Lad
Ferdinand Murphy, universally known as Ferdy, born in County Wexford on 6th November 1948, was the son of a farmer and became an apprentice at the Tipperary yard of Carrick-on-Suir run by Phonsie O'Brien straight after completing his compulsory education. He then joined Paddy Mullins, initially as stable jockey, but later became Head Lad at a time when the stable sent out Harry Harriet to land the 1973 French Champions Stakes. Although he rode over 100 winners, best of which were Anaglog's Daughter in the Aynsley China Cup Chase at Chepstow, Artistic Prince in the 1977 John Jameson Cup at Punchestown and Desu Barker in the Downshire Handicap Hurdle at the famous Punchestown Festival, he will go down in history more for his skill as a trainer. He initially began his training career as understudy to Bill Durkan who was listed as the trainer, but it was generally recognised that Ferdy Murphy was the person behind the success of Anaglogs Daughter and Carrow Boy, so it was no surprise that in 1985 he was invited to become private trainer for Geoff Hubbard at his Worlingworth Hall, Woodbridge, Suffolk stables. During this period of his career he guided Gee-A to victory in the 1987 Mildmay of Fleet Chase at Cheltenham. However, it was only in 1990 that he was granted a licence to train in his own right, continuing at Hubbard's Suffolk stables. His first official winner was on 27th August 1990 when Sibton Abbey won the lowly Southoe Novices Chase at Huntingdon, followed by a win in the Chequers Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle at Newbury. Each of these early victories laid the foundation to a much bigger chase success at Newbury in 1992 when Sibton Abbey won the Hennessey Cognac Gold Cup Handicap Chase at 40/1. As expected, winning the prestigious race led to other owners wanting their horses trained by Murphy, although Hubbard was keen for Murphy to remain his private trainer, so in April 1994 Murphy travelled to the other side of the country to Somerset, taking over West Buckland stables where he remained for a year. From there he and his partner Janet moved north to Middleham to take charge at Highwall Stables (later Oak Wood Stables) owned by Sir Robert Ogden which he was able to lease for 2 years. When his time at Oakwood came to an end he was fortunate to be offered the chance to transfer to Wynbury Stables on the outskirts of Middleham at West Witton by owners Bill and Edith Kettewell.
1996 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival PADDY'S RETURN 10/1 owned by Paddy O'Donnell, trained by Ferdy Murphy and ridden by Richard Dunwoody
1996 Fulke Walwyn & Kim Muir Chase at the Cheltenham Festival STOP THE WALLER 16/1 owned by Ray Burgen, trained by Ferdy Murphy and ridden by Ken Whelan
Michael Hammond, born on 25th September 1962 in Guildford, universally known as Micky, is the son of a bricklayer and served his apprenticeship with Tom Jones in Surrey, remaining for 4 years, and then joined Hugh O'Neill at Coldharbour. He rode his first winner in 1982 in the Magna Carta Handicap Chase at Windsor on 17th February when he partnered Excelsior 4/1. He later wrote to pools winner George Dawes to see if he would allow him to work at Kingsley House stables, joining Middleham trainer George Moore, and the pair enjoyed success in the 1986 Timeform Handicap Hurdle at Chepstow with Tingle Bell, who broke the course record by 2.3 seconds, and later the 1988 Glenlivet at Aintree and Victor Ludorum Hurdle with Royal Illiusion. Another horse who he had a great rapport with was Topham Taverns on whom he notched up 4 consecutive victories. However, arguably his most high-profile win was in the 1986 Scottish Grand National at Ayr when riding Hardy Lad 28/1 for owner Mrs Antonia Milligan and Middleham trainer Jumbo Wilkinson, defeating Aintree Grand National winner Corbiere. There were other high points, including partnering West Tip in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Ballydurrow in the Imperial Cup. His final winner, on 30th December 1989 was aboard Colombiere 9/1 in the Fingall Selling Hurdle at Catterick, after which he decided to hang up his riding boots, aged just 27, despite riding 35 winners already that season, and applying for his own training licence. In a riding career spanning 8 seasons, Micky had ridden 231 winners. He spent part of the remainder of the jumps season assisting George Moore, but then set up as a trainer at Tupgill Park in what is now the Saddle Room Restaurant, giving him unbridled access to the Low Moor gallops. His first Flat race winner came on his 4th entry, Palmas Pride in July 1990 in the Gigha Handicap at Ayr, and the next month he landed his first jump race win with the same horse in the Craigvinean Juvenile Novices Hurdle at Perth. In his first season he trained 31 winners and stable numbers began to increase as soon as potential owners noticed that he was a skilful trainer. In his second season, with a string of 26 he managed 38 winners, and as the string increased to 35 in the 1992-93 season he surpassed his previous best by recording 51 winners. Part of that success was down to a horse named Valiant Warrior, owned by Paul Sellars, who, between August 1993 and March 1996 ran 16 times and was placed in the first 3 in all but one race, winning 9 times. Even more remarkably, that period included a 377 day break. In 1995 Clay County performed well in the Grade 2 Martell Aintree Chase before giving way to Coulton, although he later made amends in the 1996 Garswood Handicap Chase at Haydock. There is little doubt that Micky Hammond's greatest day of racing was Saturday 24th February 1996 when he notched up 6 wins, triumphing in the Victor Ludorum Novices Handicap Hurdle at Haydock with Marchant Wing, then going on to win the Streeton Leisure Queen of Hearts Handicap Hurdle at Haydock before landing the final 4 races on the Musselburgh card. What is remarkable about those 6 wins was that they were for 6 different owners, ridden by 6 different jockeys, the last 4 at Musselburgh were at combined odds of 802/1, while an accumulator on all six would have paid 64,259/1. By 1997 it is no surprise that his string had grown to 74 and the very next year he landed one of his highest profile victories in the Glenlivet Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree, a race in which he rode the winner exactly a decade before. In 1998 Deep Water won the Grade 1 Glenlivet Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree at 8/1 for the County Set. As early as 1997 Micky was planning a move from Tupgill, having purchased Oakwood Stables, on the outskirts of Middleham, where Ferdy Murphy had been based.
The stables needed work and extending, so Micky remained at Tupgill, with 'Horses in Training' continuing to list Micky at Tupgill until the end of 1999. However, eventually Micky transferred his string to his new stables at Oakwood, leaving Tupgill behind on 19th November 1999. On 27th January 2001 Micky won the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster with Heidi III at 20/1 when partnered by Dean Gallagher, but by April 2001 Micky decided to reassess his priorities, after experiencing a personal setback, and decided to retire from training at just 38 years old. His decision enabled him to become an assistant and provided his assistant Andy Crook with the opportunity to take over the licence. Andy was in charge for about 14 months and in that time managed 18 winners.
1982 Magna Carta Handicap Chase at Windsor EXCELSIOR 4/1 trained by Hugh O'Neill and ridden by Micky Hammond
1986 Scottish Grand National at Ayr HARDY LAD 28/1 owned by Mrs Antonia Milligan, trained by Jumbo Wilkinson and ridden by Micky Hammond
1986 Timeform Hurdle at Chepstow TINGLE BELL 10/1 trained by George Moore and ridden by Micky Hammond
1988 Glenlivet Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree ROYAL ILLUSION 9/1 trained by George Moore and ridden by Micky Hammond
1988 Victor Ludorum Hurdle at Haydock ROYAL ILLUSION 20/1 trained by George Moore and ridden by Micky Hammond
1989 Fingall Selling Hurdle at Catterick COLOMBIERE 9/1 trained by George Moore and ridden by Micky Hammond
1990 Gigha Handicap at Ayr PALMAS PRIDE 9/2 owned by Mrs L Underdown, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by Ron Hillis
1990 Craigvinean Juvenile Novices Hurdle at Perth PALMAS PRIDE 9/2 owned by Mrs L Underdown, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by S Turner
1995 Martell Aintree Chase CLAY COUNTY 9/1 owned by M G St Quinton, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by Norman Williamson second behind Coulton
1995 Little Bay Handicap Chase at Perth CLAY COUNTY 10/11 fav owned by M G St Quinton, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by Brian Storey
1996 Garswood Handicap Chase at Haydock CLAY COUNTY 5/4 owned by M G St Quinton, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by Adrian Maguire
1998 Glenlivet Anniversary Hurdle Grade 1 at Aintree DEEP WATER 8/1 owned by The County Set, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by Russ Garrity
2001 Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster HEIDI III 20/1 owned by Intercity Partnership, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by Dean Gallagher
Andrew Crook, born on 19th April 1955, hailed from Ripon in North Yorkshire and served his apprenticeship with Frank Carr. His inaugural winner was on Irish Word in the Tigers Apprentice Handicap at Leicester on Monday 28th May 1973 and, as his career developed, he worked for Terry Gillam and Steve Nesbitt, cementing his working relationship with Steve when marrying his daughter Margaret on 21st January 1978. The couple later parted and Andy married Jackie, the pair supporting each other for over 35 years in developing an excellent training establishment. Andy also had stints with George Moore and Neville Crump in Middleham, and with Dick Hern. His highest profile winner as a jockey was in the Chesterfield Handicap at York when partnering Ubedizzy 12/1 in 1977. In 1990 he joined Micky Hammond when Micky launched his training career at Tupgill Park, and remained with him when he transferred to Oakwood stables on the outskirts of the town. In April 2001, when Micky was experiencing personal difficulties, Andy successfully applied to take over the licence and gained invaluable experience throughout the 14 months when he was in charge at Oakwood. In that short period Andy showed his mettle by training 18 winners, remarkably at 14 different racecourses, which stood him in good stead when Micky decided to return to the training ranks in June 2002, enabling Andy to move to a new yard adjacent to Ashgill stables.
1973 Tigers Apprentice Handicap at Leicester IRISH WORD 9/4 fav trained by Dick Hern and ridden by Andy Crook
1977 Chesterfield Handicap at York UBEDIZZY 12/1 owned by John Finlayson, trained by Steve Nesbitt and ridden by Andy Crook
May 2001 National Hunt Novice Hurdle at Wetherby COLOURFUL LIFE 7/4 trained by Andy crook and ridden by Peter Niven
May 2001 Tote Bookmakers Novices Handicap Chase at Hexham JOE BUZZ 6/1 trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Brian Harding
May 2001 Macallan Single Malt Mares Only Novices Hurdle at Perth ASKRIGG VENTURE 12/1 trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Peter Niven
July 2001 Market Place Selling Stakes at Ripon HARD LINES 5/2 trained by Andy Crook and ridden by George Duffield
August 2001 British Heart Foundation Selling Stakes at Newcastle HARD LINES 5/2 trained by Andy Crook and ridden by George Duffield
August 2001 Lancaster Bookmakers Novices Handicap Hurdle at Cartmel HARD LINES 2/1 trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Wilson Renwick
September 2001 Johnny Ridley Memorial Novices Chase at Sedgefield MINSTER YORK 8/1 trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Wilson Renwick
November 2001 Newcastle Flooring Novices Hurdle at Newcastle JOE DI CAGO 10/1 trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Wilson Renwick
November 2001 Evelyn Matthews Memorial Novices Chase at Ayr STORMIN NATIVE 5/2 trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Wilson Renwick
December 2001 Streetlam National Hunt Novices Hurdle at Catterick TEE-JAY 10/1 trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Brian Harding
February 2002 EBF National Hunt Novices Hurdle at Musselburgh TEE-JAY 1/2 fav trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Tony Dobbin
March 2002 Bet Direct Classified Stakes at Wolverhampton DUST TO DUST 25/1 trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Neil Chalmers
March 2002 Marley Novices Chase at Haydock STORMIN NATIVE 4/1 trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Richard Johnson
April 2002 Press & Journal Handicap Chase at Perth RYALUX 8/1 trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Andrew Thornton
May 2002 Bet Direct Claiming Stakes at Southwell DUST TO DUST 11/4 trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Darryll Holland
May 2002 Tant Pis Handicap Chase at Hexham MINSTER YORK 9/4 trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Wilson Renwick
May 2002 Littlewoods Claiming Stakes at Wolverhampton DUST TO DUST 7/2 trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Jimmy Quinn
June 2002 Nova International Handicap Hurdle at Hexham FISHKI'S LAD 9/2 trained by Andy Crook and ridden by Graham Lee
Although Micky announced his premature retirement from the training ranks in April 2001, just over a year later he had recovered his enthusiasm for the game and had settled some of his personal problems, so he thought the time was right to begin training once more. Andy Crook had held the fort well for 14 months and was ready to train on his own account, moving to Yard 2 at Ashgill, while Micky reclaimed his Oakwood yard. Although his numbers were low for the first couple of years of his return, standing at 19, by 2005 he reported in 'Horses in Training' that his string had increased to 43, and increased further the next year to 48. Oakwood had originally been designed as a 45 box stable, so Micky was always on the lookout for additional boxes., and he did take second yards from time to time. Micky achieved a unique double in 2013 and 2016 when he sent out the winner of the Ladies Derby Handicap at Ripon, with Pertius winning in the hands of Miss Serena Brotherton in 2013, and Miss Catherine Walton in 2016. In 2014 he managed 3 consecutive wins with Alderbrook Lad, who then continued to improve, while in 2015 he again achieved 3 consecutive victories with Just Cameron before sending the horse to contest the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase at Punchestown, although there was no shame in being beaten into second place by Un De Sceaux. By 2012 his numbers stood at 50, by 2016 they had increased to 77, and further increased to 85 in 2019. Micky took on stables at Sharp Hill Farm, where Kate Walton and Chris Thornton had previously trained successfully. In 2019 Micky sent Cornerstone Lad to Newcastle to win the prestigious Fighting Fifth Hurdle, following in the footsteps of horses which had the potential to win the Champion Hurdle. Another horse which ran up a sequence of 4 consecutive wins for Oakwood Stables in 2022 was Larry Looby, winning at Hexham, Cartmel and Sedgefield. Micky had certainly regained his mojo and continues to go from strength to strength.
2005 Rocom Siemens Handicap Chase at Wetherby HEIDI III owned by J McAllister, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by Tony Dobbin
2013 Ladies Derby Handicap at Ripon PERTIUS 13/2 owned by MHOG, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by Miss Serena Brotherton
2014 Pristine Cars Wetherby Novices Hurdle ALDERBROOK LAD 5/4 fav owned by Master of the Hall, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by Joe Colliver
2014 Bet Tote Jackpot Novices Hurdle at Hexham ALDERBROOK LAD 15/8 owned by Master of the Hall, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by Joe Colliver
2014 Coalville Novices Hurdle at Market Rasen ALDERBROOK LAD 7/2 owned by Master of the Hall, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by Joe Colliver
2015 Wills Property Services Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield JUST CAMERON 9/4 owned by Mr & Mrs Paul Chapman, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by Joe Colliver
2015 Miller Time Novices Chase at Carlisle JUST CAMERON 11/4 owned by Mr & Mrs Paul Chapman, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by Joe Colliver
2015 888sport Limited Handicap Chase at Haydock JUST CAMERON 11/2 owned by Mr & Mrs Paul Chapman, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by Joe Colliver
2015 Ryanair Grade 1 Novices Chase at Punchestown JUST CAMERON 16/1 owned by Mr & Mrs Paul Chapman, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by Joe Colliver, runner up beaten 3 lengths by Un De Sceaux
2013 Ladies Derby Handicap at Ripon PERTIUS 12/1 owned by MHOG, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by Miss Catherine Walton
2016 Ortus Homes Handicap Chase at Ayr RATHLIN 11/2 owned by Master of the Hall, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by Finian O'Toole
2017 RacingUK Handicap Chase at Wetherby JUST CAMERON 5/2 co fav owned by Mr & Mrs Paul Chapman, trained by Micky Hammond and ridden by Henry Brooke
2018 Sportsbook Handicap Hurdle at Haydock CORNERSTONE LAD 11/4 fav owned by Mrs B M Lofthouse, trained by Mickey Hammond and ridden by Billy Garritty
2019 Navigating Brexit Handicap Hurdle at Newcastle CORNERSTONE LAD 3/1 owned by Mrs B M Lofthouse, trained by Mickey Hammond and ridden by Billy Garritty
2019 Forty Years of Go Racing in Yorkshire Handicap at Catterick CORNERSTONE LAD 4/1 fav owned by Mrs B M Lofthouse, trained by Mickey Hammond and ridden by Graham Lee
2019 William Hill TV Betting Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby CORNERSTONE LAD 9/2 owned by Mrs B M Lofthouse, trained by Mickey Hammond and ridden by Billy Garritty
2019 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle CORNERSTONE LAD 16/1 owned by Mrs B M Lofthouse, trained by Mickey Hammond and ridden by Henry Brooke
2020 Thanks and See You Next Season Handicap at Redcar CORNERSTONE LAD 4/1 owned by Mrs B M Lofthouse, trained by Mickey Hammond and ridden by Billy Garritty
2022 Carpetgallop.co.uk Handicap Chase at Hexham LARRY LOOBY 5/1 owned by Mrs & Mrs D Lees & D Pollitt, trained by Mickey Hammond and ridden by Emma Smith-Chaston
2022 Racing TV Handicap Chase at Cartmel LARRY LOOBY 6/1 owned by Mrs & Mrs D Lees & D Pollitt, trained by Mickey Hammond and ridden by Emma Smith-Chaston
2022 Bowness Bay Brewing Handicap Chase at Cartmel LARRY LOOBY evens fav owned by Mrs & Mrs D Lees & D Pollitt, trained by Mickey Hammond and ridden by Emma Smith-Chaston
2022 Roflow Great North Air Ambulance Novices Chase at Sedgefield LARRY LOOBY 11/10 fav owned by Mrs & Mrs D Lees & D Pollitt, trained by Mickey Hammond and ridden by Emma Smith-Chaston
2022 Go Racing with Vickers Bet Handicap Chase at Sedgefield LARRY LOOBY 12/1 owned by Mrs & Mrs D Lees & D Pollitt, trained by Mickey Hammond and ridden by Emma Smith-Chaston
2022 Book Corporate Hospitality at Wetherby Handicap Chase CORNERSTONE LAD 7/1 owned by Mrs B M Lofthouse, trained by Mickey Hammond and ridden by Conor O'Farrell
PADDY'S RETURN (1996 Triumph Hurdle)
CORNERSTONE LAD (2019 Fighting Fifth Hurdle)
STOP THE WALLER (1996 Fulke Walwyn & Kim Muir Chase)
JUST CAMERON (2015 runner-up Ryanair Chase at Punchestown
MISS PRIMULA (1987 3rd in Wokingham Stakes)
