Lord Oaksey, the former jockey, journalist, broadcaster and founder of the Injured Jockeys Fund, has died, aged 83.
Oaksey passed away today at his family home in Wiltshire following a lengthy period of ill health.
Born John Lawrence on March 21, 1929, he was educated at Eton and Yale and was an enthusiastic amateur rider. He won the 1958 Hennessy Gold Cup on Taxidermist and finished second on Carrickbeg in the 1963 Grand National.
He was a writer for The Daily Telegraph and was a member of ITV Seven from 1969 and, later, Channel 4’s racing team, retiring from broadcasting in 1999.
In retirement, Lord Oaksey continued to make an impact in the shape of the steeplechaser Carruthers. Trained by his son-in-law, Mark Bradstock, Carruthers claimed the 2011 Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.
Trainer David Pipe was among the first to pay tribute to Oaksey. He said: “So sorry to hear of the passing of Lord Oaksey who did so much for our sport.”
Jockey Tom Malone added: “Very sad news about Lord Oaksey, but he did some amazing things that will help people for ever more. Thank you.”
