winter kings.

​In Ivor Herbert’s & Patricia Smyly’s book of the same name as the title of this piece, seventeen horses are included from Lottery to Desert Orchid. If the book were to be updated the likes of Sprinter Sacre, Moscow Flyer, Denman and Kauto Star would have to be included and perhaps a fair few more.
No trainer has more than two representatives in the book, though Fulke Walwyn was associated with three of the celebrated inclusions through having ridden Golden Miller, if without distinction, and having trained both Mandarin and Mill House. Tom Dreaper is represented by his first great chaser Prince Regent and his last, the greatest of them all, Arkle. When asked if Arkle was the best he ever trained, he replied sadly ‘I’m afraid he is. I’m afraid he is’, as if he was letting down an old and much-loved friend.
The Dickenson’s also have two horses featured, though when compared against Sprinter Sacre and Kauto Star they might be out-shone. Without a shadow of doubt both Silver Buck and Wayward Lad were brilliant chasers, though whether Silver Buck would have been so good in other hands than Michael and his parents is a moot point. The horse was not quite right in the head, as his death exposed. Taking fright at Graham Bradley’s waterproofs in driving rain, the horse bolted, dumped his rider, and proceeded to gallop into a high brick wall, fracturing his pelvis and several ribs. Before the vet could get to him, he died of an internal haemorrhage. Michael’s mother had only recently taken over the training licence from her son who had changed career to become master of Manton at the behest of Robert Sangster.
Wayward Lad, though, was what could be termed ‘a good old boy’, loved by everyone who came into contact with him and a firm favourite with the public. The horse who regularly rocked up at Kempton each Boxing Day to win or run his heart out in the King George almost had a sad ending to his career, though not if the Dickinson’s had anything to do with it.
Wayward Lad won 28 of his 55 races and was only out-of-the-money on five occasions. He was owned in partnership by Les Abbott and Shirley Thewlis. When, after, for Wayward Lad, a low-key season, the horse won what is now the Betfair Bowl at the Aintree Grand National meeting, Monica Dickinson announced to the press and public that the 12-year-old was to be retired and that he would spend the rest of his days with the Dickinson family. The announcement was well-received. Not though by Mr.Abbott. He was affronted that he was not consulted and believed the horse had a future in hunter chases and point-to-points. He cut a lone figure as no one agreed with his point-of-view and the dispute could only be resolved by the revered horse being sent to public auction.
Mrs.Thewlis and the Dickinson expressed the fear that the horse might make a figure beyond what they could afford. This was, of course, not a young horse of great potential but an aged horse in need of retirement and people actually sent them money to help swell available funds. One anonymous benefactor offered £30,000, which was half what the experts thought the likely money Wayward Lad would make on Thursday 21st May.
But Wayward Lad was popular; more popular than even the Dickinsons’ knew.
The controversy reached across the Atlantic and came to the notice of Mrs. Miles Valentine whose racing colours of pink and cherry hearts were well-known at the time through having horses in training with Fred Winter and she went directly into action. She telephoned her daughter Joy Carrier and suggested she should buy the horse and as soon as the directive was passed-on to Joy’s husband Rusty a plan was drawn-up.
He promised the Dickinsons’ that he would provide all the funds necessary to buy Wayward Lad and to fly him to the States where the Carrier family would ensure he got the retirement he deserved. They would hunt him and as Michael lived close by, he could keep an eye on the old horse and report back to his mother and family. Rusty Carrier was as good as his word.
As it was when the owner of Stalbridge Colonist wanted his last pound of flesh by selling one of the few horses to beat Arkle at public auction, when the auctioneer announced ‘And Wayward Lad goes back to Harewood’, in the manner the auctioneer had announced ‘Stalbridge is going home’, people cheered, clapped and stamped their feet. Mrs Dickinson went up the old horse, wrapped her arms around him and wept.
What this story, lifted from the book ‘Winter Kings’, proves is that there are caring, beautiful people in this world. The Dufosees’ bought back Stalbridge Colonist not because he was the best horse they ever bred but because he deserved a retirement amongst people who cared for his well-being. The Carriers’ were even more magnificent; they had no connection to Wayward Lad, yet they took no persuading to the honour of having the great horse live out his life as part of their lives.