Percy Tory, a leading figure in the sport

Badbury Rings racecourse observed a minute’s silence on Sunday in memory of Percy Tory, who died last week aged 97.

As chairman of the Point-to-Point Owners’ Association from 1986 to 1994, and subsequently as its president, Tory was a recognisable and respected figure across the sport, albeit best known in the Wessex Area where he lived throughout his life. He and his wife Annie, who died in November, were owners and trainers who made friends across Britain, their marriage lasting 74 years.

His contribution to the sport was recognised when he was presented with the Sir Michael Connell Award for administrative services, while in 1987, also at the national dinner and awards ceremony, an engraved silver salver was given to the Tory family for their role in point-to-pointing. It extends to four generations and counting, his great-nephews, Paddy and Felix Barlow, being current amateur riders.

The family were also heavily involved in the Portman Hunt, which staged its annual point-to-point at Badbury Rings in November. Tory followed his father Stuart into the mastership of the hunt and for a period they were joint-masters. Stuart was MFH from 1959 to 1969, the final five years with his son alongside, and again from 1983 to 1988. Percy was master from 1964 to 1969 and again from 1975 to 1978, while his younger brother, Michael, held the role from 1995 to 2002.

Mike Felton, who won the men’s championship three times and was a godson of Tory, rode a number of winners for the family. He said: “The best horse Percy trained was Court Gardens [carrying Annie’s colours] who was ridden by Richard Miller. His own riding career was limited, his brother Michael being regarded as the jockey in the family, although he was very proud to say he had won on Four Ten.”

Four Ten, a son of Blunderbuss and like his sire named after a gun, won three point-to-points under Percy as a six-year-old in the 1952 season, two years before he landed the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Felton said: “Percy was a very good man to ride for because he understood the game and accepted defeat and victory with similar grace. He was master of the Portman Hunt, and when you took his point-to-pointers hunting there was no hanging around at the back – he expected you to stay out all day and do the job properly.

“He and Annie could really put on a party at Crabb Farm – we had many happy times there. Not long after they had married he broke both his collarbones in a fall, which made for an interesting start to married life!

An afternoon at the races: Percy Tory and his wife Annie at Badbury Rings in 2024 (Ce)

“He was a big figure in this part of the world through his involvement with the Portman Hunt and point-to-pointing, particularly here at Badbury Rings.  With Jim Mahon at the helm he was among the founders of the Point-to-Point Association (in 1977, 18 years before ‘Riders’ was added to the title) and he later became chairman of the PPORA Club meeting. After moving it to Barbury Castle he came up with the bright idea of making it a two-day meeting, and handing it on to me!”

Felton was not the only man to fall for Tory’s charms when it came to delegation or urging action. His eldest son, Chris, said: “I have life membership of the Owners’ & Riders’ Association, because my father sold it to me. My membership number is 25. He said ‘Of all the initial members you are youngest and therefore will have the best value for your £25’, and I suppose I have.

“He was very good at dealing with people, an example being the National Trust, which owns all the land around here [including the racecourse].”

Badbury Rings opened as a point-to-point venue in 1949, the Portman Hunt having previously raced at nearby Crabb Farm. Tory took on the tenancy there at the age of 21 – before electric arrived at the property and heating was a simple open fire – but two years later he married his wife and formed a popular partnership.

In the subsequent 77 years of racing at the Rings there have been just three clerks of the course. Tory’s father, Stuart, who had also ridden in races, held the position before handing it on to Percy when then passed it on to his second son, Martyn, who said: “Dad had a wonderful innings, and it seems appropriate now he has gone to join Mum.

“The minute’s silence was observed right across the course on Sunday and was a great tribute to Dad, and so many people approached us with happy memories of him going back ten, 20 and even 50 years. He had time for everybody, no matter what their age or background. He had as much time for a ten-year-old as he did someone of his own generation, and he knew so many people in so many circles.

Martyn Tory, Badbury Rings clerk of the course: ‘Dad knew so many people’ (Ce)

“He was also very good at keeping an even keel, which made him a good and popular chairman of various bodies. He was a farmer through and through, but his true passion in life was hounds, followed by racing.

“We had a great day on Sunday, just one short of 100 runners, and some very good quality racing. Dad would have loved to have been there.”

Tory was predeceased by his wife Annie and his sister Bridget, but is survived by his brother Michael, his three children, Chris, Martyn and Mandy, six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.