Jockey brothers retain interest in steeplechase

Press, 4 August 1987, Page 36

Jockey brothers retain interest in steeplechase

Fifty-five years ago two Southland jockey brothers rode two Southland-owned brothers in the Grand National Steeplechase at Ricarton.

It would have been something to wonder at if Paris and Taramoa had fought out the finish of the historic race in the hands of the Dempster brothers, George and Vic. As it turned out, Paris ran second, and Mr W. T. Hazlett’s other hopeful came in sixth.

In all the years since, the Dempster brothers have retained their fondness for the jumping game and retain lively memories of that 1932 Grand National Steeplechase. , So does another Southlander, bearer of a famous racing name: Vincent Langford also rode in the 1932 Grand National. His mount in the field of 16 was Nylotis, and that southern-owned jumper finished out of a place. In those days, the Dempster brothers were first and second horsement to Mr Hazlett’s private trainer, “Fin” McKay, who trained from stables in Filleul Street, Invercar-

Mr W. T. Hazlett’s son, the late Mr W. E. (Bill) Hazlett, extended the family association with the thoroughbred, at times with marked success; and there were halcyon years after Kurdistan was established as the principal of the stallion bank at the Hazlett-owned Chelandry Stud. The Dempster brothers were together as horsemen for the McKay stable in Invercargill for nine years. George was aged 26 when he rode Paris into second, behind Billy Boy, in the 1932 Grand National. Vic was aged 18. When he gave raceriding away, Vic Dempster spent most of his working life as a grocer in Invercargill. George was a coal miner at Nightcaps, and Vincent Langford has farmed all his life at South Hillend, in Central Southland.

Billy Boy carried 11.13 when he won the 1932 Grand Natoinal in the hands of Dave Burgess, who later trained the brilliant race mare, Soneri.

Billy Boy gave everyone, not the least the riders of rival horses, something to think about before the National that year. In schooling beforehand, Billy Boy showed a marked aversion to the kennels double. He was even tried the reverse way, but here again he was hesitant.

Other riders decided to give Billy Boy a wide berth in the race itself. They felt certain the northerner would hesitate, or duck off, and possibly carry them off as well. Billy Boy never hesitated. “He jumped the double beautifully and went on to win,” Vic Dempster recalls. Paris, ridden by George Dempster, went down on his nose when Lucess (Dan O’Connor) fell at the third last fence, which was then a sod wall, but rallied gamely to run second, beaten by two lengths. Others who rode in the 1932 Grand National were Len Dulieu (Royal Visitor), Jim Ellis (Snowfall), Rex Beale (High Pitch), Bill Scobie (Lord Ranald), Eric Mackie (Calham), Arthur Gilmer (Hard Gold), Jim Kerr (Matu), George Salt (Deportment), Ashley Jenkins (Royal Reign), Les Hunt (Valves) and Harry Turner (Bon Aryan). Ashley Jenkins was associated later with that superb jumper, Clarion Call, one of the best of all Grand National winners. Ashley Jenkins’s sons, Gary and Ray (Bubs), emulated their father by winning Grand Nationals, and a notable family tradition has been extended by a grandson, Stephen. Jim Kerr’s son, Dave, has become one of Riccarton’s most successful trainers, achieving distinction as a “classics specialist” with Canterbury Belle, Clansman, and Gaffa. Jim Kerr’s brother, Dave, is one of Southland’s most successful

light-harness trainers, and won the Southland Oaks last season with Rapture. Eric Mackie served with the Second N.Z.E.F. and was killed in action in Greece.

Paris, the runner-up to Billy Boy in the 1932 Natonal, won the 1931 Wellington Steeplechase in the hands of George Dempster. Such an all-Southland Wellington Cup victory has not been repeated. Bright Blue won the 1972 race for Mr Bill Hazlett from the Southland stable of Bill Hillis, but the successful jockey was the northerner, Graeme Walters.

George Dempster is now aged 81, and Vincent Langford will be 80 next January. It is unlikely that the veteran Southlanders will be at Riccarton for the 1987 renewal of the great race on Saturday, but memories will come crowding in as they follow the fortunes of their modern counterparts.