Richard Dunwoody Biography
One of Britain’s most successful jockeys, Richard Dunwoody has also walked to the North and South Poles as well as undertaking other incredible feats. A truly great motivational and inspirational speaker Richard Dunwoody MBE, shares the winning attributes of his motivation and driving ambition which earned him the title of Champion of Champions.
Richard Dunwoody - Winning Jockey
Richard Dunwoody was at the forefront of English National Hunt racing in the 80’s and the 90s, winning the Big Three races - the Grand National, the Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup.
When Dunwoody hung up his racing silks at the age of 35 due to injury in 1999, he had won a record 1,699 winners and endured 672 falls. Richard is best known for his partnership with Desert Orchid on whom he won seven races and was awarded the MBE for sporting greatness.
South Pole Expedition and other amazing feats
In 2008 Dunwoody together with American explorer Doug Stoup succeeded in pioneering a new route to the Pole, one that had only previously been attempted - unsuccessfully - by Ernest Shackleton in 1914. Both Dunwoody and Stoup lost more than two stones in weight during the expedition.
Richard started a 1000 Mile Challenge to walk the same mile 1000 consecutive times for a 1000 consecutive hours in Newmarket on May 29, 2009. Ahead of the July Cup on July 10, he was joined for the last mile up the home straight of Newmarket racecourse by racing legend Lester Piggott.
The walk was inspired by Captain Robert Barclay Allardice, who was bet that he couldn’t walk 1000 miles in 1000 hours for 1000 Guineas in 1809.
Richard was on the road for 255 hours 57 minutes and 36 seconds and completed the challenge 39 hours and 51 seconds quicker than Captain Barclay, raising money for four charities – Racing Welfare, the Alzheimer’s Society, Sparks and Spinal Research.
Motivational and After Dinner Speaking
Audiences learn about the Richard's unyearning drive and ambition, intially what made him a household favourite in racing circles at only 21 and then on to complete some of the amazing feats in later years. Richard also speaks about the fear of failure which kept him to the fore for many years - earning him the title Champion of Champions.
Richard Dunwoody's motivational speech includes the following business lessons:
- Controlling the Controllable
- Coping with Fear
- Breaking the Performance Barrier
- Learning from Mistakes
- Team Spirit
- Focus and Attitude
His after dinner speech is a more light hearted affair focussing on some of the amazing and funny stories that have made up this amazing man's life
Awards
Richard Dunwoody is the winner of the many awards including:
- MBE for services to racing in June 1993
- National Hunt Jockey of the Year from 1990-95
- Ride of the Year Award (SIS/Sporting Life) 1995 and 96
- Champion of Champions 2001
Media, TV etc......
A racing pundit on the BBC, sports columnist, and public speaker, Richard Dunwoody is also involved in charity marathons, motor racing and various other sports. Richard Dunwoody also appeared (briefly!) in Celebrity Come Dancing in 2009. Richard also writes weekly racing columns for the Daily Mirror, Racing+ and Sportinglife.com and continues to offer his invaluable experience in mentoring, advising and encouraging young jockeys
Books
For more information or to book Richard Dunwoody, please call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Richard Dunwoody Video
Richard Dunwoody Speaker Showreel - Click play to watch a short sample video clip of Richard Dunwoody. For more information on Richard Dunwoody please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Richard Dunwoody News
A selection of relevant news related to Richard Dunwoody, After Dinner Speakers, Keynote Speakers and Motivational Speakers, Adventure Speakers, Peak Performance, Sport Speakers and Teamwork Speakers stories. For more information on Richard Dunwoody or details as to how to book Richard Dunwoody for your corporate event, please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Cheltenham Festival Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day
17th March 2011
The 2011 Cheltenham horse racing festival is celebrating 100 years of the most exciting and prestigious events in the racing calendar with a St. Patrick’s Day spectacular. With live music and dancing, a special St Patrick's Day Parade, Irish Fashion awards and seven spectacular races, it’s the place to be this side of the Irish Sea!
Richard Dunwoody announces his next Challenge - to walk 1000 miles in 1000 hours
1st April 2009
Ex champion jockey, polar explorer and motivational speaker, Richard Dunwoody MBE, has announced his plans to walk 1000 miles in 1000 hours for 1000 Guineas. this is a challenge dating back 200 years, having first been attempted in 1809 by Captain Barclay for a 1000 Guinea bet. In May, Richard will attempt the challenge to raise money for charity.
Richard Dunwoody successfully scales Mount Aconcagua in Argentina
11th February 2009
This was the motivational speaker's second attempt at climbing the mountain, having first tried to conquer it in 2003.
Richard Dunwoody reaches the South Pole
11th February 2008
Richard Dunwoody yesterday celebrated his 44th birthday at the South Pole
Rebecca Adlington Hopes to Become TV Presenter
17th May 2013
Olympic Gold medallist, Rebecca Adlington has spoken about her hopes of becoming a TV presenter one day.
Rasmus Ankersen Supports Ryan Air
14th May 2013
Keynote speaker and author of ‘The Gold Mine Effect’, Rasmus Ankersen has revealed that he is a fan of the low budget airline, Ryan Air.
Paralympics Wins BAFTA
13th May 2013
The London 2012 Paralympic Games were awarded a BAFTA for the best sport and live event of 2012 and they were up against some strong competition.
Ronnie O’Sullivan Wins Fifth World Title
7th May 2013
Snooker player, Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Barry Hawkins to win the Betfair World Championships at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
Lions Squad is Announced
1st May 2013
The 2013 British Lions Squad has been announced and Welsh player, Sam Warburton will Captain the team.
Self-Help Books; A Billion Dollar Industry
30th April 2013
Self-help books are increasingly popular among the British public than ever before and an increased number of us are turning to self help books in the hope that they will solve lives problems.
Richard Dunwoody Reviews
Richard Dunwoody has spoken and appeared at a number of recent corporate events. Please find some client speaker testimonials and reviews for Richard Dunwoody for a number of these events and conferences. If you would like some additional information as to how to book Richard Dunwoody for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Richard was an excellent speaker, we had lots of positive feedback. His style and the content reached everyone. Richard made an enormous impact on our day
Richard was a huge success and warmly received by everybody. There was a sense that we were welcoming home a national hero.
Richard made an inspiring presentation to our company....was at ease with the audience... and was very open and friendly with members of the company...We would highly recommend him as an inspirational speaker.
I had the pleasure of listening to your talk today on behalf of Bracknell Forest Homes. It was the highlight of the day
Richard is a lovely, professional man and was very approachable and amenable. His speech was great and my colleagues were very impressed that he was happy to speak to them afterwards and have pictures taken. Would definitely recommend him.
The feedback has been excellent with everyone thoroughly enjoying Richard talk and experiences. It was our most successful event ever - He is some guy!
What a roaring success this event was. It was huguely enjoyable and very interesting. Inspiring.
I would like to thank you for the excellent presentation.There was great interest in your presentation and we have received excellent feedback from delegates.
Q & A with Richard Dunwoody
Richard Dunwoody answered some probing questions for Speakers Corner. For speaking secrets revealed - read on! To book Richard Dunwoody for your event, please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Speakers Corner: How did the corporate speaking/presenting start?
Richard Dunwoody: In 2003 I met Graham Davies from Straight Talking. His company wrote a speech for me and the advice I received from him has been invaluable over the past few years.
Speakers Corner: Can you remember your first corporate event?
Richard Dunwoody: One of my earliest was an awards dinner at St Andrews for Jaguar. It seemed to go well, Richard Hammond was hosting it, and I wasn’t booed off the stage t St Andrews for Jaguar.
Speakers Corner: And your last event?
Richard Dunwoody: Last night at Steam Wine Bar in the City. A 25 min talk on my life as a jockey and 45 min Q&A
Speakers Corner: Which corporate event has been your favourite to date and why?
Richard Dunwoody: Motivational presentation to 100 Hairdressers at The Grove; fortunately most of them were female!
Speakers Corner: If you could speak/present at any event, past or future, what would it be?
Richard Dunwoody: Oscars
Speakers Corner: Who would you most like to share a platform with?
Richard Dunwoody: Penelope Cruz
Speakers Corner: On average, how many corporate events do you do a year?
Richard Dunwoody: 20-30
Speakers Corner: Are you as happy speaking/presenting with an audience of 50 as 1,000?
Richard Dunwoody: Yes; usually I find the bigger the audience the easier it is
Speakers Corner: How do you like to be introduced?
Richard Dunwoody: Part time explorer, part time tour guide and beaten up jump jockey
Speakers Corner: Do you always like to do a briefing call before the event?
Richard Dunwoody: Yes the more knowledge I can pick up about the event the better
Speakers Corner: What are the most asked for topics?
Richard Dunwoody: South Pole and Riding in the Grand National
Speakers Corner: Do you have any funny/embarrassing speaking anecdotes you care to share?
Richard Dunwoody: Fell off the back of the stage in an old Fulham Broadway nightclub, having given a brief and quite serious presentation for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. I hadn’t been drinking, it was just very dark. It lightened proceedings up a bit anyway
Speakers Corner: Your favourite film?
Richard Dunwoody: Don’t have one but really enjoyed City of God
Speakers Corner: Favourite book?
Richard Dunwoody: Shantaram
Speakers Corner: Favourite holiday destination?
Richard Dunwoody: Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan
Speakers Corner: What’s your tipple?
Richard Dunwoody: Champagne
Speakers Corner: Country or townie?
Richard Dunwoody: Both
For further information or to book Richard Dunwoody, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
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