Racing is in the blood for amateur jockey Richard Burton
Amateur jockey Richard Burton was born in 1976 and lives in Shropshire and with a family history like his it was inevitable he would end up in the saddle.
His mother and father both enjoyed riding careers in point-to-points, while his grandfather was an amateur jockey like himself.
In 1997, his uncle Steve Brookshaw trained Lord Gyllene to win the re-scheduled Grand National – the original race planned for the Saturday was abandoned after a bomb scare meant thousands had to be evacuated from the course.
Like many jockeys, Mr Burton started riding at an early age on small ponies and his interest grew from his sisters going to horse shows and getting him hooked.
He started riding competitively in point-to-point racing from the age of 16 and although admitting he was not very good when he first started he has made giant strides to become one of the leading amateur riders of modern times.
Since he won his first race on Fence Judge at Eyton Hall aged 17, he has been awarded the accolade of champion point- to-point jockey three times and has won many plaudits for his strong and balanced riding style, which few others are able to match on the amateur circuit.
Big race successes have not fazed him and he remains a down to earth character of the racing fraternity, despite winning over the National fences in Aintree’s version of the Foxhunter’s chase and a further race at the Cheltenham Festival in 2008 for amateur jockeys, the Kim Muir. He puts multiple winner Cloudy Lane down as one of the best he has ridden, along with Juveigneur, who ironically ran against him in Cappa Bleu’s race at this year’s Festival.
Alongside his riding career, which he calls a ‘hobby’, Richard specialises in buying and selling equestrian properties and is planning to spend more time in this sector in the future.
Well respected throughout the industry, they will be hoping he continues his association with promising horses like Cappa Bleu and adds to his current tally of 19 winners this season. He currently sits two behind David Mansell in the Championship and has until the close of play on June 13 to reduce the deficit.
