SAM Morshead, formerly a top National Hunt jockey and more recently the inspirational driving force behind Perth racecourse, has died at the age of 63. He had been fighting cancer for considerable time and passed away peacefully at home, not far from the venue which staged another very successful meeting this week.

Morshead rode principally for Fred and Mercy Rimell in the 1970s and 1980s. He won the Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle and the Stayers’ Hurdle on Gaye Chance and the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Gaye Brief. He was also third in two Champion Hurdles, on Stan’s Pride and Very Promising, while his mount Another Dolly was awarded the 1980 Queen Mother Champion Chase following the later disqualification of Chinrullah.