AMATEUR RIDER’S DEATH

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 73, 20 March 1933, Page 2

AMATEUR RIDER’S DEATH

& •—— AN ENGLISH MILLIONAIRE SPORTSMAN AND SOLDIER National Hunt sport in England suffered a great loss in January by the death of Captain R. E. Sassoon, millionaire and amateur rider, as the result of injuries received in a fall in a steeplechase at Lingfield. He was one of the most popular figures associated with the sport, as ovations from the crowd testified on several occasions. It has been stated that Captain Sassoon had never been on a horse until he joined up for active service in 1914. Then he learned to ride on a pony. He began riding in races in 1925. He had a splendid record with the Irish Guards, becoming one of the most respected officers in that famous regiment. “No more shall we hear the cry of ‘Come on Captain,’ ” writes J. L. Taylor in London “Sporting Life,’’ “and we shall miss his genial smile no matter what misfortunes or difficulties he encountered.’’ Captain Sassoon’s whole .heart was in the game and he was lavish in his expenditure in the pursuit of a sport which was the greatest interest of his life. It is doubtful if there ever was a man whose sporting character appealed more to the whole of the racing community. He was the most popular figure that has flitted across the pages of racing history, and he will ever be remembered as representing in every way all that goes to make the truly British sporting gentleman. High courage, unremitting perseverance, and a determination to win whenever possible, were essential characteristics of Captain Sassoon as a race-rider.

Slight of frame and modest in demeanour, he had the heart of a lion. No matter how many times he fell or how badly he was bruised, he never failed to come up smiling. It was this hardiness, combined with his great sportsmanship, that endeared him to all ranks and types of racegoers. Greatest Thrill of All When Captain Sassoon had a fall onlookers had been heard to express surprise, that a man of his wealth should so consistently face the dangers of steeplechase riding. They did not appreciate that it was as the breath of life to him. He once said that he had risked the danger of big game shooting and similar hazardous adventures, but nothing gave him the thrill that he derived from steeplechase riding. Moreover he dearly loved a horse. Few racing people knew him intimately, though they were in daily contact with him. He had a charming disposition, ever courteous and unassuming.

Nothing pleased the Captain more than to come with one of his characteristic “mile a minute” finishes to beat some other rider in the last few strides. It gave him the greater delight if his opponent was a prominent professional, and he was' as pleased as Punch when he came along to “pip Stott on the post at the recent Chepstow meeting. His horses were first trained by Teddie Martin, and more recently by Percy Woodland. To the latter must go the credit of improving the Tiding ability of Captain Sassoon. It is no exaggeration to say that Captain Sassoon was quickly developing into a thoroughly accomplished horseman. He had discarded the upright seat for a more crouching attitude, and the change was reflected in his more frequent successes. Liverpool Ovation. He bought Alpine Hut to ride in the Grand National in March, and the pair proved an admirable partnership. .

Had Captain Sassoon lived to win the great steeplechase it would have been one of the most popular victories in the history of the race. When he successfully negotiated the National course for the first time on Ballystockart, and when he won a race at Aintree, on West Indies, his pleasure knew no bounds. The greeting that was given him on his return to the paddock on that occasion rivalled the ovation accorded a National winner. The Liverpool success on West Indies was, his most important one. One further instance of his popularity, occurred at a Worcester meeting this season. The return to the paddock of the ambulance with some unlucky rider

is common enough, but at Worcester when Captain Sassoon was brought back after a seemingly bad fall, and walked out smiling as usual, the crowd cheered him to the echo. Captain Sassoon was made a member of the National Hunt Committee last year. He belonged to a family notable in sport, racing and politics, and which has for generations been a power in the money markets of the world. He had big business interests in China, but never lost time in getting back to follow his favourite pursuit.