Tributes to award winning stable lad Chris Hinson, 71

Tributes have been paid to a former Stablelad of the Year who has died less than two years after retiring from a career of more than 50 years in racing.

Chris Hinson, who was 71, died on October 20 at Dove House Hospice in Hull following a long battle with prostate cancer. He moved to the city after his retirement in January 2017 which was marked at a surprise party by more than a hundred family and friends at the Racing Centre.

His career began as an apprentice with MJ Bolton at Lewes in Sussex before moving to Newmarket in 1987 to work for the late Alex Scott at Gainsborough Stables. After Scott’s tragic death, he stayed on at the yard which was taken over by Ed Dunlop.

It was with Mr Dunlop that Chris teamed up with Lord Derby’s filly Ouija Board, who Chris rode in all her work as she carried all before her at home and abroad for three magnificent seasons. In 2007 he was named Stablelad of the Year in the prestigious Godolphin awards.

Mr Dunlop said: “Chris played a hugely important part in my career as my head lad for more than 15 years. He was a wonderful man and very good at his job, working with Ouija Board and many other good horses. We all went up to London when he was presented with the Stablelad of the Year award, which was very well deserved. It was with great sadness that we heard of his death. He will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with his family.”

Chris leaves his wife Julie, daughters Lesley, Vicky and Aimi, son Lee and five grandchildren.

His funeral will take place at West Suffolk Crematorium at 3pm on November 2.