Vale

Moruya Jockey Club writes: Vale Colin "Chicka" Pearson Chicka Pearson was a memorable contributor to the history of the Moruya Jockey Club.

Returning to Australia Chicka continued to race the country circuit and it was at a dance in Bega where he met a remarkable lady, Shirley Cochrane who he would marry in 1973. One of the colours he raced for was Prince Ali Khan who was married to Rita Hayworth.He also rode in France where one of his races was riding in the Queen's colours. Then a remarkable offer was made to Chicka to ride in Milan Italy. This included free Pan Am flights, chauffeur, valet to assist with all his racing gear and a new car and 1000 pounds and 10% of the first five winners. Returning to Australia Chicka continued to race the country circuit and was at a dance in Bega when he met a remarkable lady, Shirley Cochrane whom he would marry in 1973. Chicka started to have trouble maintaining a racing weight and left Sydney to race in the country. Not long after, a remarkable offer was made to Chicka to ride in Milan, Italy. This included free Pan Am flights, chauffeur, valet to assist with all his racing gear, a new car, 1000 pounds and 10% of the winnings of the first five winners. At the age of 21 Chicka finished his apprenticeship and became a Fully Fledged Jockey. It was at this time in Sydney his mother dies in a fatal accident. Chicka found it difficult to maintain a racing weight and left Sydney to race in the country. Percy would be Chicka’s lifetime friend and Mentor. He would soon be riding for Percy at the races, travelling to Canberra, Wagga Nowra and Moruya. He would work for Percy until the age of 17 when he went to Sydney to the Stan Lamond stables. At the age of 21 Chicka finished his apprenticeship and became a Fully Fledged Jockey. It was at this time in Sydney that his mother died in an accident. Chicka's next move was to Brisbane where he raced for Fred Best the No 1 trainer. The work was hard and tedious.