Arguably one of the most naturally gifted jockeys of his generation, Edward Hide was considered competent enough to ride at the age 11, and with the stable’s racehorses.

Aged 13, he took his first public ride at Birmingham on a horse called Copper Wire, trained by his father, though which came in last. Despite this, it was a remarkable achievement to race professionally at such a young age.

One year later in 1951, Hide claimed his first victory on Ritornello; again, a horse trained by his father.

A Star In The Making

Still only a teenager, Hide had more than done enough to make an impression on the sport and in 1954, he made what was considered a career defining move as he teamed up with renowned trainer, Captain Charles Elsey at Highfield Stables Malton in North Yorkshire.

In the months that followed and under the expert and watchful eye of Elsey, Hide started to become a considerable powerhouse. That year, the jockey won his first major race; the Naas November Handicap at Limereagh, while he also secured his first of three British Apprentice Jockeys’ Championships, which he would go onto win in 1956 and 1957.

A breakthrough senior season followed in 1957, when he ended up as runner-up to Arthur “Scobie” Breasley, in the primary British Jockeys’ Championship, while on May 3, he secured his first victory for Queen Elizabeth II on Opera Score at Newmarket.

Meanwhile, in 1959, he claimed his first classic victory; the St Leger Stakes at Doncaster, when he won on the high class filly, Cantelo for Elsey.

“Cock Of The North” Dominance

Awarded to the winningmost flat jockey of Northern racecourses; an incredible 16 occasions between 1957 and 1983, Hide earned the title ‘Cock of the North”.

A rare feat in 1961 saw him claim five winners in one afternoon at Liverpool and this set him on course for a period of dominance in the years that followed.

In 1967, Hide guided the filly, Pia to a win at Epsom Oaks, claiming his second major Classic and in the same year Hide won the Ayr Gold Cup aboard Farm Walk.

One brilliant and distinguishing trait that Hide became uniquely renowned for, was his ability to study form and racing calendars; ultimately he then used this knowledge to call up trainers of horses he thought were going to win upcoming races, based on the research that he had done.

Making the decision to turn freelance in 1972, he partnered with trainer Bill Watts to win the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Waterloo and one year later, Hide followed this up with a victory on Morston, in the Epsom Derby.

In 1974, he set a nearly 20-year record for a northern-based jockey, by claiming 137 victories in a single British season, though disaster struck in 1975 when he fell flat on his back at York and despite returning 11 weeks later, this injury ended his hopes at the official senior title.

Perhaps one of his best horses, having partnered with trainer Mick Easterby’s legendary champion sprinter, Lochnager, the team dominated the sprint division that year, while a year later, he won his second 1,000 Guineas on board Mrs McArdy. One year later, he won his sixth and final classic in the St Leger and in 1981 claimed five victories in a day for the second time in his career at Newcastle.

Retired A Racing Great

At the age of 49, Hide retired, having claimed a staggering 2,539 winners in Britain, becoming at the time, the sixth most successful British jockey and held the record for the most wins by a jockey who was never crowned Champion Jockey officially.

He then became a breeder at his 80-acre farm near Malton, while also working as a racing manager, assistant to John Gosden and an agent to the legendary rider Walter Swinburn.

In September 1923, Hide passed away peacefully at the age of 86 with Redcar Racecourse fittingly naming a race after him in remembrance; Celebrating The Life of Edward Hide Restricted Novice Stakes.