Richard Bevan 1989/90 Conditional Jockey Season – National Hunt Race Riding Record & Analysis

Richard Bevan’s 1989/90 season as a conditional jockey was a campaign defined by an early win, strong individual horse partnerships, and a gradual decline in championship position despite steady personal consistency in the saddle.

The season began at maximum intensity. Bevan’s win on Roy Prince at Newton Abbot in the first novice chase of the season immediately placed him at the sharp end of the jockeys’ standings.

At around 4pm on 29 July 1989, the National Hunt jockeys’ table showed Bevan among the leaders and he was level with Peter Scudamore, Ray Goldstein, and Peter Hobbs, all on one winner each at that stage.

However, Roy Prince was raced frequently in a short period and ultimately broke down on firm ground, removing a key early-season contributor from Bevan’s momentum.

Across the full season, Bevan finished with:

151 rides
8 winners
126 completions (83.4%)
70 top-four finishes (46.3%)

While the volume and consistency remained strong, the loss of early-winning momentum meant he could not maintain the early position in the standings.

By the end of the season:
Champion jockey: Peter Scudamore
Bevan: 94th in the jockey standings

The season developed into one dominated by riding opportunities on mixed-quality horses rather than sustained stable strength across the board.

Horse-specific performance context:

Roy Prince – Early-season winner but over-raced and later broke down on firm ground.

Hill Beagle – A small but genuine horse; produced 4 wins for Bevan and provided some of the most reliable form. A strong partnership, often competitive beyond physical limitations.

Leon – Consistent and reliable without winning; placed 2nd multiple times over hurdles and fences, but required precise timing and was not straightforward.

Covent Garden – Past peak ability during the season; competitive limitations increasingly exposed.

Ardent Spy – 13 years old and had not won for six years; still won for Bevan, a notable achievement based on experience and placement rather than class.

The 1989/90 season can be summarised as follows:

A conditional jockey campaign shaped by early promise, strong individual horse relationships, and limited sustained winning opportunities.

Bevan regularly got horses competitive, frequently finishing in the first four, but did not have the volume of winning rides required to maintain a position at the top of the jockey standings.

Overall conclusion:

A season of strong early visibility in the jockey standings, consistent riding across a large number of mounts, and notable individual horse performances, but ultimately defined by inconsistency in horse quality and the loss of early-season momentum.