Peter Niven

Peter Niven (b. 7 Aug 1964)^[1] is a retired British jump jockey in National Hunt racing.^[2] In May 2001 he became the first Scotsman and sixth jockey to ride over 1,000 winners, eventually retiring in September that year with 1002 winners.^[3] At the time of his retirement he was the only jockey to have won five races in a day on four occasions.^[4] He is now a racehorse trainer.

Racing career

Niven won his first race at Sedgefield in 1984 on a horse called Loch Brandy.^[3] After struggling for a few years to make his way in the sport, he teamed up with Mary Reveley at her Saltburn stables in Clevelend soon forging a formidable partnership.^[3] He became a professional jockey in 1986.^[5] Some of the 'major' races he won include:

Notable wins

• International Hurdle 1987 (Pat's Jester)^[3]
• Great Yorkshire Chase 1991 (Dalkey Sound), 1994 (Carbisdale)^[6]
• Future Champion Novices' Chase 1993 (Cab On Target)^[6]
• Tingle Creek Chase 1993 (Sybillin)^[6]
• Fighting Fifth Hurdle 1994 (Batabanoo)^[6]
• RSA Chase 1994 (Monsieur Le Cure)^[6]
• Liverpool Hurdle 1995 (Cab on Target), 1998 (Marello)^[3]
• Maghull Novices' Chase 1996 (Ask Tom)^[6]
• Eider Chase 1995 (Willsford), 1997 (Seven Towers)^[6]
• Midlands Grand National 1997 (Seven Towers)^[6]

Grand National

He rode in the Grand National on six occasions:

• 1991 Grand National Hotplate (Pulled up 22nd)^[6]
• 1992 Grand National Rubika (Finished 14th)^[6]
• 1994 Grand National Mr Boston (Fell at the 13th)^[6]
• 1995 Grand National Superior Finish (Unseated rider at the 10th)^[6]
• 1997 Grand National Avro Anson (Finished 6th)^[6]
• 2000 Grand National Hollybank Buck (Finished 10th)^[6]

Awards

• Lester Award: Jump Jockey of the Year 1991^[7]
• Lester Award: Jump Jockey Special Recognition Award 2000^[8]

References

1. "Birthdays". The Guardian. Guardian Media. 7 August 2014. p. 33.
2. "Leading jump jockey retires". Horse & Hound. 27 September 2001. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
3. "Niven - a racing great". BBC. 27 September 2001. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
4. "Jump racing's six of the best". BBC. 27 August 2002. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
5. "Jump jockey Peter turns pro". The Herald (Glasgow). 6 January 1986. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
6. "Peter Niven". The Aintree Database. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
7. "The Lesters - Past Winners" (PDF). Professional Jockeys Association (United Kingdom). 2009. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
8. "Darley and McCoy voted top riders". The Daily Telegraph. 1 April 2001. Retrieved 6 November 2012.