Carl began as an amateur with Stan Mellor and Jim Old, his first winner being Stargestic, trained by Roy Robinson, at Wolverhampton in March 1986. He then celebrated his first big race victory when landing the Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup Handicap Chase at the 1988 Cheltenham Festival on Smart Tar for trainer Mark Wilkinson.
The year 1992 was one of great achievement for Carl as he partnered Tipping Tim to win the 1992 William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase at The Festival before going on to triumph in the Grand National on Party Politics. Later that year, he gained another high-profile victory on board Tipping Tim when taking what is now the Paddy Power Gold Cup.
Other big winners included Kings Road in the 1999 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, Sweet Duke in the 1993 Long Walk Hurdle, Mister Morose in the 2000 Aintree Hurdle, Ollie Magern in the 2004 Feltham Novices’ Chase and two Charlie Hall Chases in 1994 with Young Hustler and 2005 with Ollie Magern.
Carl’s record as a jockey stands the closest scrutiny and with two Grand National wins to his credit, he can truly be called as top class. On both occasions, he was a substitute jockey when regular riders Andy Adams and Tom Jenks suffered serious injuries preventing them from riding. Whether you hire Carl as an after dinner speaker or as a host during race days at your events, you are sure to have an ideal sporting character to guide you through the finer details of the sport and inspire others to achieve their goals in life.
