H. Ryan Price
Encyclopedia
Henry Ryan Price 16 August 1912 - 16 August 1986) was a British
Thoroughbred
horse trainer
in both flat
and National Hunt racing
.
Born in Hindhead
, Surrey
, he is known by his middle name, Ryan. He began his career in horse racing
as a jockey
based at East Lavant
in West Sussex
. In 1937, he relocated to Sutton Bank
in Yorkshire
where he began working as a trainer. His career was interrupted by service with the British Army
, during World War II
. Serving with the 7th Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment, he was moved to the No.6 Commando
for D-Day
. During the 6 June 1944 landing, his Craft LCI(S) No.502 was hit by German
shelling as it approached the Normandy
beach but he managed to swim to shore and continued with the mission.
Discharged with the rank of Captain, he resumed his Thoroughbred racing career and eventually settled in Findon, West Sussex
where he operated at Downs House, Stable Lane.
five times. Among his other wins, Price trained the winner of the 1955, 1959, and 1961 Champion Hurdle
, the 1959 and 1966 Whitbread Gold Cup
, the 1967 Mackeson Gold Cup
and Champion Novices' Chase, the 1971 Supreme Novices' Hurdle
, and the 1973 Triumph Hurdle
.
In 1962, he earned the most important win of his career when Kilmore won the Grand National
at Aintree Racecourse
. The following year the Schweppes Gold Trophy Handicap Hurdle
was inaugurated at Newbury Racecourse
. Ryan Price won four of the first five runnings with horses ridden for him by Josh Gifford
. The duo won the race back-to-back with Rosyth in 1963 and 1964, with Le Vermontois in 1966 and with Hill House in 1967, and in 1969 he added to his major race wins when What a Myth captured the Cheltenham Gold Cup
.
An owner as well as a trainer, Ryan Price was among the first British trainers to purchase young jumpers from France
.
and after moving to Findon's facilities at Soldiers Field in early 1970, Price concentrated primarily on the Flat although still having hurdlers in training. For owner Charles A. B. St. George, he won the 1972 Epsom Oaks
with Ginevra and the 1975 St. Leger Stakes
with Bruni. The following year, Bruni won the Yorkshire Cup
and the Cumberland Lodge Stakes
and finished second to the French
champion filly
Pawneese
in the Group One
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Plagued by health problems, Ryan Price gave up training in 1982 but remained involved in racing as an owner. Following emergency surgery, he died on his seventy-fourth birthday at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton
. He was interred in the St. John the Baptist Church cemetery in Findon.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
horse trainer
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
in both flat
Flat racing
Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...
and National Hunt racing
National Hunt racing
National Hunt racing is the official name given to the sport of horse racing in the United Kingdom, France and Ireland in which the horses are required to jump over obstacles called hurdles or fences...
.
Born in Hindhead
Hindhead
Hindhead is a village in Surrey, England, about 11 miles south-west of Guildford. Neighbouring settlements include Haslemere, Grayshott and Beacon Hill. Hindhead is the highest village in Surrey...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, he is known by his middle name, Ryan. He began his career in horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
as a jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
based at East Lavant
Lavant, West Sussex
Lavant is a civil parish in the Chichester district of West Sussex, England, just north of Chichester. It is made up of three villages, Mid Lavant and East Lavant together with the much smaller West Lavant, and takes its name from the River Lavant which flows from East Dean...
in West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
. In 1937, he relocated to Sutton Bank
Sutton Bank
Sutton Bank, also known as Roulston Scar, is a hill in the Hambleton District of North Yorkshire in England. It is a high point on the Hambleton Hills and the North Yorkshire Moors with extensive views over the Vale of York and the Vale of Mowbray...
in Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
where he began working as a trainer. His career was interrupted by service with the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Serving with the 7th Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment, he was moved to the No.6 Commando
British Commandos
The British Commandos were formed during the Second World War in June 1940, following a request from the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, for a force that could carry out raids against German-occupied Europe...
for D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
. During the 6 June 1944 landing, his Craft LCI(S) No.502 was hit by German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
shelling as it approached the Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
beach but he managed to swim to shore and continued with the mission.
Discharged with the rank of Captain, he resumed his Thoroughbred racing career and eventually settled in Findon, West Sussex
Findon, West Sussex
Findon is a village and civil parish in the Arun District of West Sussex, England, four miles north of Worthing. The parish has an area of 16.41 km² and a population of 1848 persons ....
where he operated at Downs House, Stable Lane.
National Hunt Champion Trainer
Between 1954 and 1967, Ryan Price was the Champion National Hunt trainerBritish jump racing Champion Trainer
The Champion Trainer of National Hunt racing in Great Britain is the trainer whose horses have won the most prizemoney during a season. The list below shows the Champion Trainer for each season since 1945-46.-----See also:...
five times. Among his other wins, Price trained the winner of the 1955, 1959, and 1961 Champion Hurdle
Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. As part of a sponsorship agreement with the online sportsbook StanJames.com, the race is now known as the Stan James Champion Hurdle...
, the 1959 and 1966 Whitbread Gold Cup
Bet365 Gold Cup
The Bet365 Gold Cup is a Grade 3 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of about 3 miles and 5½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-four fences to be jumped...
, the 1967 Mackeson Gold Cup
Paddy Power Gold Cup
The Paddy Power Gold Cup is a Grade 3 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 4½ furlongs , and during its running there are fifteen fences to be jumped...
and Champion Novices' Chase, the 1971 Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Supreme Novices' Hurdle
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 110 yards , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
, and the 1973 Triumph Hurdle
Triumph Hurdle
The Triumph Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 1 furlong , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
.
In 1962, he earned the most important win of his career when Kilmore won the Grand National
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
at Aintree Racecourse
Aintree Racecourse
Aintree Racecourse is a racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England.It was served by Aintree Racecourse railway station until the station closed in the 1960s....
. The following year the Schweppes Gold Trophy Handicap Hurdle
Totesport Trophy
The Totesport Trophy is a Grade 3 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Newbury over a distance of about 2 miles and 110 yards , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
was inaugurated at Newbury Racecourse
Newbury Racecourse
Newbury Racecourse is a racecourse in the civil parish of Greenham, adjoining the town of Newbury in Berkshire, England. It has courses for flat races and over jumps...
. Ryan Price won four of the first five runnings with horses ridden for him by Josh Gifford
Josh Gifford
Josh Gifford is a former jockey and trainer in National Hunt racing. He was a four-time Champion Jockey, riding 642 winners in his career....
. The duo won the race back-to-back with Rosyth in 1963 and 1964, with Le Vermontois in 1966 and with Hill House in 1967, and in 1969 he added to his major race wins when What a Myth captured the Cheltenham Gold Cup
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
.
An owner as well as a trainer, Ryan Price was among the first British trainers to purchase young jumpers from France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Flat racing
In 1966, Ryan Price's horse Persian Lancer, won the 1966 Cesarewitch HandicapCesarewitch Handicap
The Cesarewitch Handicap is a flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Newmarket over a distance of 2 miles and 2 furlongs , and the latter part is on the Rowley Mile. It is scheduled to take place each year in October.The event was...
and after moving to Findon's facilities at Soldiers Field in early 1970, Price concentrated primarily on the Flat although still having hurdlers in training. For owner Charles A. B. St. George, he won the 1972 Epsom Oaks
Epsom Oaks
The Oaks Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early June....
with Ginevra and the 1975 St. Leger Stakes
St. Leger Stakes
The St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.Established in 1776, the St. Leger...
with Bruni. The following year, Bruni won the Yorkshire Cup
Yorkshire Cup (horse race)
The Yorkshire Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
and the Cumberland Lodge Stakes
Cumberland Lodge Stakes
The Cumberland Lodge Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September.The event is named after Cumberland Lodge,...
and finished second to the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
champion filly
Filly
A filly is a young female horse too young to be called a mare. There are several specific definitions in use.*In most cases filly is a female horse under the age of four years old....
Pawneese
Pawneese
Pawneese was an French Thoroughbred racehorse who was Europe's top racing filly in 1976. Bred in Ireland by her owner, Daniel Wildenstein, she was sired by Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Carvin and out of the mare Plencia, a daughter of Le Haar, 1963's Leading sire in France.Trained by Angel...
in the Group One
Group One
Group One or Group 1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. Group One races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply. Races may be also restricted to age groups or a...
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Plagued by health problems, Ryan Price gave up training in 1982 but remained involved in racing as an owner. Following emergency surgery, he died on his seventy-fourth birthday at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
. He was interred in the St. John the Baptist Church cemetery in Findon.