Richard’s racing talent was soon realised when he became Champion Conditional Jockey in 1995, at the age of 18.

Richard’s major career successes have come during the Cheltenham Festival, winning the 2000 Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup with Looks Like Trouble and the 2002 Queen Mother Champion Chase with Flagship Uberalles.

Richard was also victorious in the 2003 Smurfit Champion Hurdle with the Philip Hobbs-trained Rooster Booster, whom he partnered again in 2004, finishing 2nd.

One of the major influences on Richard’s racing career was “The Duke” – David Nicholson who supported him in his bid to become a professional jockey.