Conger

The Royal Navy’s “Galloping Padre”, the Rev. Simon Beveridge made history last week at the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown race course in Surrey.

The first Royal Navy chaplain to ride in the amateur racing event’s 167 year history on March 8,  Mr. Beveridge was astride “Feeling Better” a 100-1 shot and was leading the field going into the last circuit when he was thrown.  Two rider-less horses cut across his path, taking him down.

Last December, the “Galloping Padre” made racing history by being the first racing vicar in the modern era to win a Point-to-Point.  Riding a 50-1 shot to victory at Wadebridge, Cornwall, in December.

Mr. Beveridge took up horseracing four years ago while serving with the Royal Marines at Lympstone, earning the nickname the “Galloping Padre” from his men.   Since becoming Chaplain at Yeovilton RNAS the Galloping Padre has been out early every Thursday at trainer John Ryall’s Farm at nearby Rimpton and has attended the British Racing School for both the Amateur National Hunt Course, and his Category ‘A’ Licence Assessment.

Mr. Beveridge has competed in nine point-to-point races this season, placing first, second, third and fourth.

While the Galloping Padre may be unique in being the Royal Navy’s only riding chaplain, sporting clergy were more common up through the war years.  The most famous riding parson was the Rev. Jack Russell (1795-1883), vicar of Swimbridge, Devon, noted dog breeder and sportsman.