MISCELLANEOUS

Where Are They Now? Guy Staight

1977 proved an eventful year for 19-year-old medical student Guy Staight, who graduated to race riding via the familiar path of pony club and hunting, whenever this could be fitted in between studies at Malvern College.

Trained by Guy's father Barry, Garnishee was only 5 years younger than his rider at the time, but he had been a prolific winning chaser earlier in his career. These included several victories at Cheltenham where he won the Massey Ferguson Cup and Mildmay of Flete for Newmarket trainer Harry Thompson Jones.

After two unplaced efforts earlier in the season, Garnishee provided his young rider with the first of 25 career successes by scoring a length victory over Just the Job in the Farmers Race at the Army meeting at Tweseldown. This combination went on to win 3 others races during 1977, followed by 2 more successes in 1978.

Due to medical studies, Guy had great difficulty fitting in schooling sessions and often turned up at meetings, having not sat on a horse from one race to the next. Following Garnishee's retirement, The Wrestler proved the flag bearer for the Staight's North Cotswold stable and after 2 Open wins in 1979, Hunter Chase victories followed at Wolverhampton and Chepstow but the highlight of his career was probably successive wins at Prestbury Park in 1981 & 1982. Outside Chance, Clear Trade, Cummerbund and Tin Tac continued the yards success rate but none of them was able to emulate the earlier exploits of their stablemates.

After competing his medical studies, Guy Staight became a G.P. and now has his own practice in London. Now in his early 40's he manages to maintain his interest in racing by inspecting racecourse medical facilities on behalf of the Jockey Club.