British Jockey Champ, 82, Dies

LONDON — Sir Gordon Richards, one of the most successful jockeys in horse-racing history, died today at the age of 82, a family spokesman said.

Richards, Britain’s champion jockey 26 times, rode a record 4,870 winners in a 35-year career. He turned to training racehorses when he retired in 1954. His victories included 14 in English classic races. He won the St. Leger five times, the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas three times each, the Oaks twice and the Derby once.