Lifetime in Racing Award for Malton local Geoff Oldroyd
Ex jockey and retired trainer Geoffrey Oldroyd was presented with a Lifetime in Racing award at Pontefract racecourse today, Monday 1st July.
Proffered by Racing Welfare, the Lifetime in Racing awards seek to recognise those who have dedicated the majority, if not the entirety, of their careers to the racing industry. Most previous recipients have notched up over 40 years working in racing and awards are given across the country each year.
Forming part of Racing Welfare’s Racing Staff Week celebrations, Geoff Oldroyd was presented with his trophy at Pontefract by jockey Tom Eaves. The first race of the day was named in Geoff’s honour also.
Geoff has a long association with racing. Born in Scarborough on 21st September 1946 and a member of the Middleton Pony Club around the age of 10, he started his career in racing at 14yrs old. Having based himself with Pat Rohan in Malton, Geoff’s first winner came on 24th June 1963, when he steered Cave of Dracan to victory at Stockton. Geoff was champion apprentice in 1968, riding 39 winners that season to take the title.
He rode for 25 years, initially as a jump jockey before switching to the flat. Geoff’s big race wins included the Usher-Vaux Brewery Gold Tankard, Newbury Empire Handicap and the Rous Selling Stakes at York. In July 1967, he rode four winners from four rides at Edinburgh.
Geoff started his training career in 1984, producing the likes of Ladies Are Forever to success in Group races including the two year old Totesport Trophy at Redcar, and Alfred Hutchinson to win listed races. One of his favourite horses was Just Bond who won 13 races.
Geoff has now retired from training but remains involved in the sport, helping out young trainer Seb Spencer every day. He is still very active, working on the yard and driving the box up to the gallops.
Racing Welfare would like to express their most sincere thanks to Pontefract racecourse for their kind hospitality on the day and for continuing to support the Lifetime in Racing awards. The series is just one of a number of initiatives operated by Racing Welfare to engage racing’s retired community. Racing Welfare’s regional teams run regular trips and outings, coffee mornings, sporting reminiscence groups and an annual retiree holiday in a bid to combat loneliness and help people to keep in touch with old friends and colleagues.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the charity’s social events should call 0800 6300 443, email info@racingwelfare.co.uk or pop into their local Racing Welfare office, which are situated in all of the main racing centres.