IT took Barnsley race horse trainer Peter Winks just six days to get his first winner of the year after he rang the bell to signify the end of his cancer battle.
The 68-year-old is the owner of Homefield Racing Stables, on Rotherham Road in Middlecliffe, and has enjoyed a glittering career in the industry.
But he was dealt a cruel blow in April when he was diagnosed with throat cancer after scans found a T4 tumour.
Peter was told my doctors that if this was not removed then he would likely not make it to Christmas.
He subsequently had surgery in September and had his larynx - also known as the voice box - removed.
It was especially hard for Peter who had been the lead singer of the band Teaser in the 1980s and 90s.
He told the Chronicle: “In April 2024 I discovered a lump in my throat and a husk in my voice.
“I also had a pain in my ear and after five trips to the doctors and four lots of antibiotics a doctor sent me for a scan.
“They found that it was a T4 tumour and I was told that if it wasn’t removed then I wouldn’t see Christmas.
“On September 4 I had my voice box removed, as well as seven teeth and 122 lymph glands in an eight hour operation.
“It devastated me as I loved singing.
“I was with the band Teaser in the 80s and 90s, making records which were very popular in Yorkshire.”
Peter said it was his love for horses that helped him through the most difficult time of his life.
“It all started with my father as a small child going on the bus to Pontefract, Doncaster and York watching jockeys like Lester Piggott and horses like Mill Reef,” he said.
“I spent my pocket money at 11 going to a riding school and when I started working I bought my own horse, a mare.
“I went on to win 28 races and was asked to train race horses after that.
“The horses kept me going through the treatment and the operation which was a very difficult time.”
Following the successful operation Peter underwent six weeks of intense radiotherapy - and he’s also heaped praise on the Macmillan nurses and his family for all their support.
He was given the all clear on January 6 and rang the bell to signify the end of his cancer journey - and his friends and family joined together on Saturday for a special party at Houghton Main Miners’ Welfare.
“I want to say thanks to my partner Karen and also my son Ryan and Courtney and Lauren,” he added.
“All three of them ride horses.
“The fantastic race horse owners have been brilliant to me as well.
“I also want to thank the Macmillan nurses who have helped me so much.
“I rang the bell for the all clear on January 6.”
Coun Kevin Osborne, a friend of Peter, told the Chronicle that his cancer journey has inspired him to take part in this year’s Barnsley 10k race and raise money for Cancer Research UK.
He said: “Peter is one of those rare individuals who gives back more to life than he takes.
“As a Proud of Barnsley nominee for his extraordinary work with young people, Peter has demonstrated remarkable insight and compassion, showing an uncanny ability to connect with both people and horses.
“His health battle has been unimaginably tough; losing his larynx as a singer is a cruel twist of fate, yet I have every confidence that Peter will emerge stronger and more resilient.
“His cancer journey is just one of the many reasons why I decided to run this year’s Barnsley 10k to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.
“Peter’s determination and fortitude in the face of personal health challenges are truly awe-inspiring.
“I just hope there are no fences to leap over along the way.”
