When asked to recall the highlight of his career in the saddle, Ernest replied: 'Winning a handicap hurdle at Nottingham where I won by a short head which was the medium of a gamble.'
The race to which Ernest was referring was the last of the day run at the East Midlands track on Saturday, February 9, 1946.
Riding the appropriately named Victory, Ernest did indeed force the 10/1 shot up on the line.
At the time, Ernest was 37 years old.
He had spent three and a half years during the war in the R.A.S.C.
Before that he had ridden on the Flat and nominated Gorsebrook as the best horse he'd partnered on the level.
Quitting the saddle, he turned to training: among his owners were N.Grant, O. J. Jackson & F. W. Dennis.
Ernest's own racing colours were brown, yellow cross-belts & white cap.