Richards, Sir Gordon (1904-1986), was the first British jockey to be knighted. He received the honor in 1953 for his services to horse racing. Richards was born on May 5, 1904, in Oakengates, Shropshire, England. He won his first race in 1921. During his career, Richards rode a record 4,870 winners out of a total of 21,843 rides. He won a record 269 races in 1947. He won 14 classics and was champion jockey 26 times. In 1953, Richards won the Derby for the first time.
He retired as a jockey in 1954 and become a race horse trainer. He closed his stable in 1970. Richards died on Nov. 10, 1986.
