Monica Dickinson, matriarch of legendary racing family dies aged 83

Monica Dickinson, matriarch of the legendary Yorkshire-based racing family, died on Tuesday, 15 July at a hospice in Knaresborough aged 83.

Married to trainer Tony and mother of Michael — the trainer that famously sent out the first five horses home in the 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup — Monica was also successful trainer in her own right.

When Michael moved to Robert Sangster’s yard in 1984 Monica took over the yard in Yorkshire and saddled 149 winners in the five years she was training.

Her notable victories included the Welsh National with Righthand Man in 1984, the 1985 King George VI with Wayward Lad and saddled Badsworth Boy for the third of his Queen Mother Champion Chases — also in 1985.

As well as her wins in national hunt racing Monica was a successful all-round horsewoman. She was selected to show jump for Britain and also an able point-to-point rider.

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