The McCreery Military Amateur Jockeys Handicap Hurdle

Today, at Wincanton Racecourse, we see the 5th running of the McCreery Military Amateur Jockeys Handicap Hurdle again so generously sponsored by John and Doone Chatfeild-Roberts.

The race is the fourth and final race in a series open to jockeys who are past or present members of the armed services, with today’s riders mostly currently serving. They have all ridden earlier this year at Sandown Park in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup and Grand Military Gold Cup. The McCreery family is synonymous with Wincanton Racecourse with the very first race at Wincanton being won in 1893 by MacDuff, ridden by Lawrence McCreery and owned by Richard McCreery. Richard was uncle to General Sir Richard McCreery GCB KBE DSO MC, a 12th Lancer who fought in both world wars and commanded the Eighth Army in 1944-45. General ‘Dick’ is also a predecessor of today’s jockeys, having won the Grand Military Gold Cup in 1923 and 1928. His son, Bob McCreery, was a fearless champion amateur rider and winner of 131 races, most notably the 1953 Welsh Grand National on Stalbridge Rock owned and trained by Harry Dufosee Harry was grandfather to the late John Dufosee, another family whose name is so well known at Wincanton. We are delighted that Bob’s wife, Jeanette McCreery, will be here to present the prizes this afternoon.

Race sponsor, John Chatfeild-Roberts, held a short service commission in the 16th/5th Lancers and his love of racing has been enhanced by following his son, successful amateur jockey Tom. It is through John’s friendship with past Wincanton Chairman, Jo Hepburn, and General Sir Barney White-Spunner, Chairman of the Grand Military Race Committee, both once loyal followers of the Blackmore & Sparkford Vale, that the McCreery Military Hurdle was born in 2016, following the running of the Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Wincanton in 2014 after the meeting was abandoned at Sandown Park.

Today’s jockeys include Major Charlie O’Shea, a popular West Country amateur jockey and a Gunner Commando, who has bounced back from life threatening injuries received here at Wincanton in a fall at this meeting a year ago. Also Sergeant Nathan Rahman of the Royal Welsh, an experienced amateur jockey and previous winner of the valuable and highly competitive Gentlemen’s Cross Country Final at Merano at the end of September 2020 Nathan is also a qualified jockey coach.