Welsh Jockey Great And Derby Winner Lewis Dies Aged 89

Jockey awesome Geoff Lewis, nan only Welshman to thrust a Derby winner, has died aged 89.

Lewis earned his spot arsenic 1 of Wales' sporting greats erstwhile he rode Mill Reef to triumph astatine Epsom successful 1971.

Born successful Talgarth, adjacent Brecon, Lewis was a starring jockey connected nan level passim nan 1960s and 70s, winning 5 Classics arsenic good arsenic nan Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe successful 1971, besides connected Mill Reef.

He retired arsenic a jockey successful 1979 earlier turning to training and achieving much occurrence pinch almost 500 winners.

Winning nan Derby successful 1971 was nan crowning infinitesimal successful 1 of nan finest seasons ever seen successful nan saddle.

With Mill Reef he captured nan Derby, nan King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes astatine Ascot and nan Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe successful Paris - victories that stay etched successful nan sport's history.

He besides claimed nan Oaks, nan Coronation Cup, nan Ascot Gold Cup and nan Lockinge, making him virtually unbeatable that year.

Although his family moved to London erstwhile he was a boy, Lewis' roots successful Wales were ne'er forgotten.

His travel into racing began astatine nan Waldorf Hotel, wherever he worked arsenic a page boy earlier jump jockey Tim Molony spotted his build and suggested he effort racing.

Apprenticed to Ron Smyth astatine Epsom, he quickly roseate done nan ranks, riding his first victor successful 1953.

By 1957 he was first jockey astatine Kingsclere, enjoying big-race victories for Sir Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth II.

But it was Mill Reef who defined him, nan small colt who carried a Welshman to racing immortality.

Lewis went connected to partner 1,880 winners successful Britain, doubly finishing runner-up successful nan jockeys' title and winning 5 Classics.

After retiring arsenic a jockey, Lewis turned his manus to training and recovered occurrence erstwhile more.

Based successful Epsom, his unchangeable included champion sprinter Lake Coniston, who stormed to glory successful nan 1995 July Cup.

In November 2024, Lewis' lifelong publication to Welsh athletics was celebrated erstwhile he received a Lifetime Achievement Award astatine nan Welsh Horse Racing Awards successful Cardiff.

Too sick to be successful person, his girl Mary and grandchildren Luci and Alex collected nan grant connected his behalf.

The grant was a fitting reminder of his spot successful Welsh sporting history.