Gordon Richards Net Worth: Career & Achievements

This article was last updated by on

Gordon Richards Net Worth is an estimated £829,650.

When we talk about Jockey, Gordon Richards is one name that can’t be missed out. Gordon Richards, who is widely known as Sir Gordon Richards, is one of the finest jockey players of the era. 

Sir Gordon Richards was born in the year 1904 A.D. in May. The athlete was the Flat racing champion for Jockey representing England. 

 Portrait of Sir Gordon Richards.
 Portrait of Sir Gordon Richards.

He won the British flat racing championship 26 times and is widely regarded as the best rider of all time.

Sir Gordon Richards was the world’s first knighted Jockey. Here below, we will explore more on Gordon Richards’s net worth, life, and career.

Gordon Richards: Quick Facts   

Full Name Sir Gordon Richards
Date Of Birth May 5th, 1904 
Place of Birth Wheaton, Maryland, England
Nick/Pet Name Gordon Richards
Religion Not known
Nationality British
Ethnic Belonging Not Known
Father’s Name Not Known
Mother’s Name Not Known
Number of Siblings Two Brothers

  • Colin Richards
  • Clifford Richards
Education School Drop-Out
Zodiac Sign Taurus
Died  10 November 1986 (aged 82)
Height ‎Not available
Weight Not available
Eye color Not Known
Hair color Not Known
Shoe Size Unavailable
Body Measurement Not Known
Figure Not Known
Marital Status Married
Wife Not Known
Children Not Known 
Occupation English horse jockey
Net worth £829,650
Salary $500,500
Active Since 1921 A.D. 
Significant horses Belle of All, Big Game, Cameronian, Migoli, Nasrullah, Pasch, Pinza, Reform, Sun Chariot, Tudor Minstrel
Career Wins 4,870
Racing awards British flat racing Champion Jockey 26 times
Honors Knighthood (1953)
Last Update March, 2024

Gordon Richards: Net Worth and Salary 

Being an avid English Jockey player and one of the reputed athlete personalities, Gordon had made a pretty attractive healthy net worth throughout his career as a Jockey athlete.

Undoubtedly, Gordon was able to make impressive wealth from his primary career as an athlete.

Gordon represented England in various World Championships and other competitions, which had aided in skyrocketing the athlete’s Net Worth.

According to various resources, Gordon Richard Net Worth of £829,650. Gordon Richards Net Worth is primarily based on the estimated salary and income of $500,500 earned as an athlete.

Likewise, Gordon Richards’ net worth also comes from several of his endorsements and various sponsorships due to his extensive popularity.

Chuck Wepner: Movie, Boxer, Net Worth, Wife & Settlement

Gordon Richards: Early Life 

Gordon Richards, the son of a Shropshire coal miner, grew up in the Shropshire village of Donnington Wood (now part of Telford). 

During those days, food was scarce. Thus, volunteers provided the children food at Donnington Wood Infant School and a modest dinner at the Baptist Chapel.

Sir Gordon’s father raised many pit ponies at their property, and it was in this setting, he developed his passion for horses.

Stables were eventually built on the property, and six horses were purchased. Gordon was able to drive a trap and look after them at the age of seven.

From an early age, he rode the ponies bareback. Gordon also drove the pony and trap passenger service his family conducted between Wrockwardine Wood and Oaken gates station from the very early age of seven.

At that age, he developed his distinctive riding technique, including a long rein and an erect stance. Colin and Clifford, two of his brothers, inherited his passion for horses and became jockeys as well; the latter was a Classic winner.

My story: Gordon Richards’ Biography

The knighted athlete published his biography in the year 1955 A.D. The book is entitled “My Story, “where the writer has portrayed his life with the art of literature.

Gordon Richards, the miner’s son, grew up in the Shropshire village of donning ton Wood with his eight siblings and sisters.

In his biography, we can travel back in time with his life story. Among the fan of Gordon Richard, his biography is extremely loved and respected.

Luis Nery Bio: Championship, Drug Test & Net Worth

Gordon Richards: Career Debut

Gordon Richards left his schooling at the age of 13 and then started working towards his dream of becoming a world-famous Jockey. Furthermore, Richards was able to place himself as a stable boy at the age of 15 at Fox Hollies Stable, located in Wiltshire.

Gordon Richards
Sir Gordon Richards sits in the weighing room at Chepstow during his fabulous run of 11 winners in a row.

Jimmy White acknowledged Richards’ riding skills in a very short span of time. Jimmy White then launched his first riding at a race at Lincoln. Additionally, he also won the first race, and his fortune started right after his first race.

He made his career debut in the year 1921 A.D.

Afterward, his determination about his goal was very evident. His focus was always dogged towards success as a jockey. His discipline and determination were some of his Mantra of success.

By the age of 21, he was full-fledged ready for Jockey. Surprisingly, he became a champion during his first year with 118 wins under his Jockey Belt.

Gordon Richards: Health Circumstances in Career

After having a super hit debut, the Jockey star had to pause his career for a particular time in 1926 A.D. The star suffered from tuberculosis and had to stop racing.

His appendix was removed in February, and he had pleurisy while riding in a blizzard in Lincoln in March.

He was subsequently transferred to Mr. Hartigan’s brother, Dr. John Hartigan, in Cardiff after being defeated on a hot favorite, Vermillion Pencil, at Chester. He was X-rayed, and a spot on his lung was detected.

The athlete was sent to a sanatorium at Mundesley, Norfolk, where he stayed from May to December.

By the end of the year of suffering, he slowly started recovering and started racing again. By the year 1927, Sir Gordon started enjoying his back-to-back massive success once again. 

Gordon Richards
Pinza and Sir Gordon Richards enter the winner’s enclosure after success in the 1953 Epsom Derby.

One of the most significant victories in Gordon’s career was when he broke the fifty-year-old track record for “greatest number of victories in a year” by earning 259 victories in his Jockey belt in the year 1932 A.D.

Sir Gordon won the Two Thousand Guineas by eight lengths a few years later at the Newmarket Racecourse. 

Gordon Richards: Achievements

In 1953, Gordon Richard became the only and the first jockey athlete to have ever been knighted.

Knighthood is an honorary title awarded to British persons who have shown exceptional service. When someone is knighted, they are referred informally as “Sir.”

Along with Sir Gordon Richards, Elton John, Sean Connery, and Charlie Chaplin are a few well-known actors who Queen Elizabeth has knighted. 

Furthermore, he also was able to stand out in the first place at the Epson Derby. Epson Derby was the only race he had not been able to win during his racing career, but he finally did.

Gordon Richards Net Worth
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh congratulating sir Jockey Sir Gordon Richards after winning the Epsom Derby on Pinza.

The crowd was delighted to watch Sir Richard race and stated that it was a treat to the eyes. Not to forget, he was also congratulated by the Queen of England for his performance multiple times.

His total of 4,870 victories is still the British record, and he won the Champion Jockey title a whopping 26 times.

Gordon Richards: Injury and Retirement 

The jockey fan had a big shock when Sir Gordon Richard had to end his riding career due to his pelvis injury. His injury triggered him a lot, and his ability to ride down hilled.

He then made his career transition to becoming a trainer. After that, he started training and advising. Thus, he lived his life post-retirement like a well-liked and respected man.

Ma Long Net Worth: Lifestyle, Earnings & Olympics

Gordon Richards: Death and Legacy 

In 1986, he passed away. He was buried in St Mary’s Church in Marlborough, Wiltshire, after a burial ceremony at St Mary’s in Kintbury, Berkshire.

His achievements were recognized in his native county of Shropshire, with a bar dedicated after him, The Champion Jockey, and the ‘Pinza Suite‘ in Oakengates Theatre named after his winning horse. 

Jump jockey Tony McCoy broke Richards’ record for most victories in a season in 2002. By flying between courses, McCoy was able to use contemporary technology and compete in more races during the season than Sir Gordon.

Richards still holds the British record with 4,870 victories. He’s also the rider with the straightest victories (Half at a night meeting).

In addition, he won the British flat racing championship a total of 26 times.

He was ranked 17th in the Racing Post’s list of 100 Makers of 20th Century Horse Racing and first in their list of the Top 50 Jockeys of the 20th Century in 1999.

Sir Gordon Richards died, leaving his admirers in shock, but his legacy lives on in the memories of those who were fortunate enough to see his greatness, as well as in the Champion Jockey pub in Donnington Wood, which bears his name.

Gordon Richards: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When did Gordon Richards receive a knighthood?

September 3, 1956. He was the world’s first knighted Jockey. In 1925, Richards became the first British rider to win a race. Queen acknowledged Sir Gordon Richards with Knighthood for his outstanding performance.

Where did Gordon Richards train?

He obtained a training license in 1964 and began training at Beadnell, Northumberland, before relocating to Greystoke Castle stables in Penrith, Cumbria, in 1968. In 1988, new purpose-built stables in Greystoke village were relocated.

How many times did Sir Gordon Richards win the Derby?

Richards rode his 4,000th victory on May 4, 1950, and won Derby. He was more successful in other major stakes races, winning five times St. Leger and three times the 2,000 Guineas. Richards won once in his career. He won the title as soon after his celebration of being knighted as a Jockey.

Sanjib Sah
Sanjib Sah
Sanjib Sah is an engineer and content writer passionate about sports and athletics. With a background in engineering and a love for all things active, Sanjib brings a unique perspective to the world of sports writing. Whether he is covering the latest trends in sports technology or sharing tips on improving your game, Sanjib's words are always rooted in a deep appreciation for players' hard work and dedication everywhere. In his free time, you can find him hitting the courts or hitting the trails, always looking for new ways to challenge himself and improve his skills.

Related articles

Comments

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Share article

Latest News