PAM SAUNDERS, PART OF RACING HISTORY, DIES AT 95

Pam Saunders, a familiar figure in hunting, racing and point-to-point circles, especially in the Midlands, has died at the age of 95.

A winning point-to-point rider and later a Master of Foxhounds, and steward, Saunders was an integral part of a racing family which rose to the top. Her late husband, Dick, was an outstanding amateur who partnered Grittar to victory in the 1982 Grand National and remains the oldest rider to have won Aintree’s famous race, achieving his victory at the age of 48. Their daughter, Caroline Bailey, who also rode as an amateur, went on to become a leading trainer of point-to-pointers and handled some of the finest hunter chasers the sport has witnessed. She later trained under rules, is now chair of the Point-to-Point Authority and with husband Gerald is an owner of point-to-pointers.

Reflecting on her mother’s life, Caroline said: “Mum rode in races in the 1950s and early 1960s at a time when women were largely confined to ladies’ races. My twin brother Toby and I were born in 1959 and she claimed she rode a winner carrying us.”

Born into a dairy farming family, as a child Pam would sit on the milk cart among the churns and then pour milk out for customers on the round. She went on to ride in races under her maiden name of Lucas, then, after marrying in 1956, she and her husband worked hard to establish a farm, eventually moving to Holdenby North Lodge, which became her home for 60 years and the hub of her daughter’s training career. Caroline said: “Dad and Mum worked their socks off when they were young. I remember Mum driving the tractor with me and Toby sitting alongside. Once they had established the farm Dad’s riding career sort of took over.”

Dick Saunders died in 2002, but his wife remained at the farm and continued to play an important part in her daughter’s training career. Caroline said: “Mum rode into her 70s, but it was all or nothing for her, and when she could no longer gallop and jump fences she packed in. She helped me with entries for the Pytchley point-to-point and had the all-important job of maintaining the racing tack, which she cleaned and polished until it shone.

“People have been in touch since she died saying how fondly they remembered going to point-to-points and meeting at the boot of her car.”

Saunders leaves her son and daughter, four grandchildren – Toby’s daughter, Lucy, rode in races and in 2013 partnered her grandmother’s final winner, Early Wings at Ampton – and one great grandchild.