REGINALD AKEHURST
THE former jump jockey and dual-purpose racing trainer has died, aged 94.
Mr Akehurst was born in Folkestone, Kent, in 1929. He spent 12 years as a jump jockey, and during this time rode 99 winners.
After retiring from race-riding in 1962, he took out his training licence from his first base, Tunworth Down Stables in Hampshire. He sent out his first winner, Enamoured, at Wye racecourse in April 1963.
Mr Akehurst had a number of notable jumps winners including the 1990 Welsh Grand National victor Cool Ground, Dare To Dream who landed the Grade One Finale Junior Hurdle at Doncaster in 1992, and Jazilah, who won the Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in 1992.
He became particularly known for his success in handicap races, gaining the nickname “the handicap specialist”. His wins included the Free Handicap Hurdle in 1985 with Nebris, the 1993 Ebor Handicap at York with Sarawat, the 1995 Wokingham Handicap with Astrac and the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot in 1997 with Red Robbo.
Another of Mr Akehurst’s memorable winners was Gold
Rod, who claimed three Group races in France. He retired from training in November 1997, aged 68. At the time he said an owner had given him a tip: “Don’t leave it too long”. Mr Akehurst’s son John took over the licence at their Epsom base, South Hatch Stables, but John died from cancer in 2012.
SHEILA BROOKS
THE Highland pony breeder of Corriegarth & Ednam House Stud and former chairman of the National Pony Society (NPS), died on 4 April, aged 86.
Mrs Brooks was born in Bonhard, Fife, into a farming family and spent much of her childhood riding ponies with her siblings Ann and Bill.
Aged 18 she met Alastair Brooks, and the couple married in 1958. Following the birth of Lesley, Charles and Ralph, the couple took over the running of the hotel Ednam House in Kelso from Alastair’s parents.
In 1971 Mrs Brooks founded Corrieg
