Former Group 1-winning jockey Bruce Raymond has died. More recently racing manager for some of the biggest owners of the sport, he was 82.
The victory of Rainstorm in the 1962 Newbury Autumn Cup was a breakthrough win for Raymond, who was also successful in the July Cup, Nunthorpe Stakes, and Ayr Gold Cup. A three-time winner of the Haydock Sprint Cup, Raymond never won a Classic race, but did finish second with Blue Judge (Rainbow Quest) in the 1993 Derby. Closely associated with trainer Michael Jarvis, he also prevailed in the 1985 Prince Of Wales's Stakes with Bob Back (Roberto).
Upon his retirement from the saddle, he became assistant to Joe Mercer as racing manager for Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum and his associates, and the racing manager of Rabbah Bloodstock upon Mercer's retirement. Some of the leading owners he represented included Saeed Suhail, Jaber Abdullah and Saeed Manana.
Former jockey Philip Robinson became assistant to his great friend and colleague in 2018 and said, “He's going to leave a big, big hole in my heart and also in the heart of plenty of people in racing. He was racing's Mr Nice Guy and I don't know anyone with a bad word to say about him.
“He's sort of been like a second father to me ever since my father died. He was close to my father and has been a very close friend of mine and a great work colleague.
“He was someone who could find something funny in even the worst things and he could cheer up the day no matter what the circumstances, he was a joy to work with.
“He was a people person and a joy to be around. He could make you smile, even on the saddest of occasions.”
Raymond twice visited the Epsom winner's enclosure with a Derby winner as racing manager to Suhail, first with Kris Kin in 2003 and later with Desert Crown in 2022. Suhail's colours were also carried to Group 1 glory a day before Raymond's death when the Andrew Balding-trained Never So Brave (No Nay Never) struck in the City of York Stakes.
“I was sad in a way because I knew he would have been so happy had he been okay to watch Never So Brave, it would have been massive for him,” said Robinson. “I was sad driving home from York thinking Bruce had probably missed this and I know exactly what he would have been like had he been watching.
“He had many great days in the job and I know how much enjoyment he got when Desert Crown won the Derby, that was a massive great lift for him.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
