Jockey and manager of Perth racecourse

Born: June 11, 1955;

Died: September 25, 2018

SAM Morshead, who has died aged 63, was unusual in that he followed a very successful career as a jockey and another one in racecourse management at Perth, despite an initial lack of experience.

In the 1970s and ‘80s he rode over 400 winners and was well known for his association with leading trainers Fred and Mercy Rimmell. He twice finished fifth in the jockey’s championship, in 1980/1 and 1982/3, completing the latter season with his best ever total of 62 winners.

Having had to stop racing for medical reasons, he was one of the first professional jockeys to become a successful clerk of course and general manager, initially briefly at Ayr before Perth. He transformed the racecourse’s fortunes, increasing attendances, attracting quality riders and trainers and overseeing about £6million of investment in improved facilities. In 2014 Perth was voted “he Best Course in Scotland and the North East while he was given an Outstanding Contribution Award by the Pride of Racing. In 2017 he was appointed MBE for services to horse racing and charity but was always quick to acknowledge the support he enjoyed from all staff at Perth.

Reflecting on his period there, he modestly commented, "I was blessed with the ability to get others to do things for me, I could ‘talk the talk’, and people having fun here was the lifeblood of the place.” An extremely personable individual, his popularity among staff and racegoers alike was a big factor in Perth’s success story.

Born Samuel Rodd Morshead in County Meath, Ireland to Cornish parents who had moved there attracted by the hunting and fishing, he had a sister Lucy and brother Hugh. Initially he attended school in Drogheda before Twyford Prep. School in England and then returning for secondary education to St. Columba’s College near Dublin.

Horse riding was in his blood and as a youngster he took part in the local Pony Club’s rides on the sands a short distance from his home, while later he and his siblings rode out with the Louth foxhounds. After his father paid £100 for a hunter, Top Up, to compete in point to point races, he took a day off school aged 17 to ride it at Punchestown where he won, his first success in the saddle.

He soon followed this by winning a steeplechase on the same mount over Fairyhouse, the Irish Grand National Course.

After leaving school he worked in yards in Co. Meath and South Tipperary while he collected more winners. Like many Irish jockeys then, he decided to try his fortune in England and was initially based in John Webber’s yard in Oxfordshire.

His breakthrough began when Fred Rimmell asked him to ride two mounts at Hereford which both won, leading to his joining Rimmell’s stable at Kinnersley before becoming his principal jockey thanks to a win at Cheltenham on Swashbuckling.

Other notable wins included the Queen Mother Chase on Another Dolly, the Sun Alliance Novice Hurdle and Waterford Crystal Stayers’ Hurdle both on Gaye Chance, all at Cheltenham, the Royal Doulton Hurdle at Haydock, also on Gaye Chance, and the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Gaye Brief. He also rode the Grand National seven times, undeterred by his fall at Becher’s on his debut.

Over the course of his career he suffered many falls and injuries including a collapsed lung which required a life support machine and a ruptured spleen. Recurring headaches became a concern and after a fall at Worcester in August 1987 where he sustained seven broken facial bones and teeth, the Jockey Club doctor ruled him unfit to ride and his licence was immediately withdrawn.

Unsure of his future, he first applied for a post as Jockey Club’s Steward’s Secretary before changing track to become assistant clerk of course at Ayr. Under the expert guidance of David McHarg he learned the ropes there and at the other Scottish courses for which Ayr was then responsible before becoming clerk of the course at Perth in August 1988 and in 1994, general manager.

Having described Perth as a jewel waiting to be polished, he began shining it. In April 1989 he organised its first three-day meeting, later the Perth Festival, and celebrated its success doing cartwheels in the winners’ enclosure. In June 1990 he initiated Perth Gold Cup Day which attracted 10,000 spectators.

His early success was sustained and built upon by improvements to the racing surface, building a boutique lads’ hostel/hotel, increasing the size of the parade ring, improvement to hospitality boxes and the opening of the Nelson Stand with its 200 cover restaurant.

One of his personal highlights was the success of Perth’s first stand-alone charity day in August 2011 with 12,000 spectators including the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, which raised £235,000 for the Prince’s Trust.

Having retired in 2015 because of prostate cancer, he devoted time promoting awareness of the condition and fund raising including completing a ‘swim and surf’ along 22 miles of the River Tay from Dunkeld to Perth, aged 59.

His interests included fishing, gardening and the outdoors while he regularly attended Lochearnhead’s Episcopal Church.

Married three times, to Annabelle, Anthea and Sue, who predeceased him, he is survived by sons Charlie, Henry and Harry, grandchildren and step children.

JACK DAVIDSON