OSJCT Coombe End Court resident reveals his sporting past
Resident turned Jockey resides at OSJCT's Coombe End Court.
Brian Henry is Coombe End Courts Resident Jockey. As a young man, Brian enjoyed a game of football and was a keen swimmer. He also kept racing pigeons. Born in November 1939, Brian had served his apprentiship with P.M.Taylor at Northlands, Walkington in Beverly.
“I’ve always liked horses, I wasn’t brought up with them as a child, but I always enjoyed watching western movies such as Rainbow Jacket. I’ve just always had a bug for it” Brain said.
Brian rode his first winner when partnering Jack’s Choice (100/9) for Taylor at Catterick on Saturday, 12 April 1958.
As 1958 came to an end, Brian had secured 28 winners. He did even better the following season - his win on Sayajirao Star in Carlisle’s Cumberland Plate was his fortieth against senior riders. That year he was just pipped at the post for the apprentice championship by R.P.Elliott.
Brian won the 1962 Ayr Gold Cup on Janeat, and in September 1964, the freelance northern jockey, then 34 years of age and with just 13 winners on the board that season, made plans to ride in India and Pakistan that winter.
Brian retired in his 40s, but continued to indulge in his love of horses by helping in the stables and training apprentices. He married but did not have any children.
Brian is well travelled, both for riding and for pleasure. He has been to Kenya and Denmark, which are his two favourite places to visit, alongside Germany, Holland and Pakistan, to name a few. Karaoke was another keen hobby of his.
Brian moved to Coombe End Court in the summer of 2017, he has enjoyed his time here. He says he is “well looked after”. He is a pleasure to have at the home and the team love to listen to his stories about when he rode horses for a living.