Peter Niven (b. 7 Aug 1964)
is a retired
British
British may refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.
* British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...
jump
jockey
A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used ...
in
National Hunt racing
National Hunt Racing, also known as Jump Racing, is a form of horse racing particular to many European countries, including, but not limited to: France, horse racing in Great Britain, Great Britain and horse racing in Ireland, Ireland. Jump Racin ...
.
In May 2001 he became the first
Scotsman
Scottish people or Scots (; ) are an ethnic group and nation native to Scotland. Historically, they emerged in the early Middle Ages from an amalgamation of two Celtic peoples, the Picts and Gaels, who founded the Kingdom of Scotland (o ...
and sixth jockey to ride over 1,000 winners, eventually retiring in September that year with 1002 winners.
At the time of his retirement he was the only jockey to have won five races in a day on four occasions.
He is now a racehorse trainer.
Racing career
Niven won his first race at Sedgefield in 1984 on a horse called Loch Brandy.
After struggling for a few years to make his way in the sport, he teamed up with
Mary Reveley at her Saltburn stables in Clevelend soon forging a formidable partnership.
He became a professional jockey in 1986.
Some of the 'major' races he won include:
Notable wins
*
International Hurdle 1987 (Pat's Jester)
*
Great Yorkshire Chase 1991 (Dalkey Sound), 1994 (Carbisdale)
*
Future Champion Novices' Chase 1993 (Cab On Target)
*
Tingle Creek Chase
The Tingle Creek Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of about 2 miles (1 ...
1993 (Sybillin)
*
Fighting Fifth Hurdle
The Fighting Fifth Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt racing, National Hunt Hurdling (horse race), hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to Horse racing, horses aged four years or older. It is r ...
1994 (Batabanoo)
*
RSA Chase 1994 (Monsieur Le Cure)
*
Liverpool Hurdle
The Liverpool Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt racing, National Hunt Hurdling (horse race), hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to Horse racing, horses aged four years or older. It is run a ...
1995 (Cab on Target), 1998 (Marello)
*
Maghull Novices' Chase 1996 (Ask Tom)
*
Eider Chase 1995 (Willsford), 1997 (Seven Towers)
*
Midlands Grand National 1997 (Seven Towers)
Grand National
He rode in the
Grand National
The Grand National is a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England. First run in 1839, it ...
on six occasions:
*
1991 Grand National Hotplate (Pulled up 22nd)
*
1992 Grand National Rubika (Finished 14th)
*
1994 Grand National Mr Boston (Fell at the 13th)
*
1995 Grand National Superior Finish (Unseated rider at the 10th)
*
1997 Grand National Avro Anson (Finished 6th)
*
2000 Grand National Hollybank Buck (Finished 10th)
Awards
*
Lester Award
A Lester Award is one of a range of awards given to jockeys at an annual ceremony in Great Britain. The awards are named in honour of Lester Piggott, an eleven-time British flat racing Champion Jockey who won thirty British Classic Races from 1954 ...
: Jump Jockey of the Year 1991
* Lester Award: Jump Jockey Special Recognition Award 2000
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Niven, Peter
1964 births
Living people
People educated at Strathallan School
Scottish jockeys
British racehorse trainers
Lester Award winners