Article by Chris Pitt
Ronnie English served his apprenticeship with Pat Taylor at Beverley but rode his first winner for Malton trainer Ernie Davey on Casino Lady in the Champion Apprentice Handicap at Carlisle on September 1, 1955. That was his only success of the year but he came good in 1956, riding seven winners from 59 rides, all trained by Taylor. They included three on Mountain Music and two on Jacmil.
He rode only two winners in 1957 and came out of his time at the end of that year. He struggled to gain a foothold thereafter, managing just one success from 12 rides in 1958. He did not hold a licence from 1959 to 1963 – possibly riding abroad – but resumed in 1964.
On July 15, 1965, Ronnie rode his first British winners for eight years when scoring on March Out at Doncaster, in the process giving Beverley trainer John Booth the first success of his career. Despite that comeback victory, Ronnie managed only seven rides all season and relinquished his licence at the end of 1965.
Ronnie English’s winners in chronological order were:
1. Casino Lady, Carlisle, September 1, 1955
2. Jacmil, Liverpool, March 22, 1956
3. Mountain Music, Ayr, May 14, 1956
4. Kessaway, Ayr, June 15, 1956
5. Jacmil, Redcar, June 25, 1956
6. Mountain Music, Redcar, July 31, 1956
7. Lodge, Stockton, August 17, 1956
8. Mountain Music, Lanark, September 1, 1956
9. Jacmil, Lincoln, March 27, 1957
10. Mountain Music, Redcar, July 30, 1957
11. March Out, Doncaster, July 15, 1965