Walter Swinburn

Walter Swinburn began his racing career as the apprentice to Frenchie Nicholson and Reg Hollinshead, as had Pat Eddery, Kevin Darley and Willie Ryan. His first winner came in 1978 with Paddy's Luck at Kempton and within only three years he had claimed the first of his three Derby Winners.

The chance to ride the infamous Shergar in 1981 was to be Walter Swinburn's big break, with the Stoute trained Colt dismissing the remainder of the field by a record ten lengths. The partnership with Michael Stoute was to provide a great deal of success over the years, as eight British classics and victory in the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe clearly illustrate.

Despite the success, Walter Swinburn suffered problems with his weight through nearly his entire professional career. Tall and thick set, he never had as many rides as his colleagues and only once did he surpass the one hundred winners in a season mark. Following several breaks and reappearances, he finally retired in April 2000. The career total of nearly 1500 winners and three Derby victories are a fitting example of Walter Swinburn's natural talent in the saddle.