Charlie Patton
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Lightweight jockey William Charles (Charlie) Patton was born in Ireland in 1937. He was apprenticed to Major Peter Nelson at Kingsdown Stables, Upper Lambourn and rode his first winner on a four-year-old colt named Nordlys in a Sandown Park apprentices’ race on April 22, 1955, his second ride in public. His next winner followed just over two weeks later on another Nelson-trained horse, Sea Artist, in a Newmarket apprentices handicap on May 10. He rode two more winners that season.
Lightweight jockey William Charles (Charlie) Patton was born in Ireland in 1937. He was apprenticed to Major Peter Nelson at Kingsdown Stables, Upper Lambourn and rode his first winner on a four-year-old colt named Nordlys in a Sandown Park apprentices’ race on April 22, 1955, his second ride in public. His next winner followed just over two weeks later on another Nelson-trained horse, Sea Artist, in a Newmarket apprentices handicap on May 10. He rode two more winners that season.
Another dozen followed over the next three years, his best total being eight in 1957, but he struggled when losing his claim and relinquished his licence in August 1961.
Another dozen followed over the next three years, his best total being eight in 1957, but he struggled when losing his claim and relinquished his licence in August 1961.
After four years out of racing he resumed his career in 1965 and rode a comeback winner on Artesian at Chepstow on August Bank Holiday Monday.
After four years out of racing he resumed his career in 1965 and rode a comeback winner on Artesian at Chepstow on August Bank Holiday Monday.
Two more winners followed in 1966: Nimble Joe for his old boss Peter Nelson, at Worcester on April 13, and 33/1 outsider Karkeh Rud for colourful owner-trainer John Meacock at Windsor on October 17. Meacock was renowned for
Two more winners followed in 1966: Nimble Joe for his old boss Peter Nelson, at Worcester on April 13, and 33/1 outsider Karkeh Rud for colourful owner-trainer John Meacock at Windsor on October 17. Meacock was renowned for
giving all his horses Arabic names. In that way he was a forerunner of Hamdan Al Maktoum, except that his horses were nowhere near as good.Golden Sycamore was Charlie’s first winner of 1967, in a mile-and-a-half Warwick handicap on May 27. On July 8 he had his first ride for Sir Gordon Richards on Michael Sobell’s three-year-old filly Wordless in the Westbury Handicap at Chepstow, and made it a winning one, leading all the way. Chepstow trainer Colin Davies provided Charlie with his third and final winner of the year, 10-1 shot Mark Smeaton in the sponsored Highgate Brewery Nursery at Wolverhampton on Saturday, August 19, a decent prize of its kind at the time.
giving all his horses Arabic names. In that way he was a forerunner of Hamdan Al Maktoum, except that his horses were nowhere near as good.Golden Sycamore was Charlie’s first winner of 1967, in a mile-and-a-half Warwick handicap on May 27. On July 8 he had his first ride for Sir Gordon Richards on Michael Sobell’s three-year-old filly Wordless in the Westbury Handicap at Chepstow, and made it a winning one, leading all the way. Chepstow trainer Colin Davies provided Charlie with his third and final winner of the year, 10-1 shot Mark Smeaton in the sponsored Highgate Brewery Nursery at Wolverhampton on Saturday, August 19, a decent prize of its kind at the time.
Charlie’s link with John Meacock paid dividends in 1968, for his two winners that year came in the space of 48 hours on Meacock’s filly Qalibashi – Arabic for ‘carpet’ – firstly when dead-heating with Terry Stringer’s mount Tartan Cavalier on the opening day of Brighton’s flagship meeting on August 6, secondly when landing the featured Brighton Sprint Handicap two days later as the 20-1 complete outsider of the six-runner field.
Charlie’s link with John Meacock paid dividends in 1968, for his two winners that year came in the space of 48 hours on Meacock’s filly Qalibashi – Arabic for ‘carpet’ – firstly when dead-heating with Terry Stringer’s mount Tartan Cavalier on the opening day of Brighton’s flagship meeting on August 6, secondly when landing the featured Brighton Sprint Handicap two days later as the 20-1 complete outsider of the six-runner field.
Another seaside resort meeting, Yarmouth, was the scene of what would be Charlie’s final winner, Spondias in a one-mile seller for Newmarket trainer Pat Moore on Wednesday, June 11, 1969. Six days later, he headed to Ascot for a rare ride at the Royal meeting, Toy Soldier in the two-and-a-half-mile Ascot Stakes.
Another seaside resort meeting, Yarmouth, was the scene of what would be Charlie’s final winner, Spondias in a one-mile seller for Newmarket trainer Pat Moore on Wednesday, June 11, 1969. Six days later, he headed to Ascot for a rare ride at the Royal meeting, Toy Soldier in the two-and-a-half-mile Ascot Stakes.
Approaching the furlong marker with a circuit to run in the Ascot marathon, Toy Soldier stumbled and unseated Charlie. He suffered severe internal injuries which resulted in the removal of a kidney. He made a partial recovery and was hoping that he might resume his career but, after seeing a Harley Street specialist, he was advised not to race ride again.
Approaching the furlong marker with a circuit to run in the Ascot marathon, Toy Soldier stumbled and unseated Charlie. He suffered severe internal injuries which resulted in the removal of a kidney. He made a partial recovery and was hoping that he might resume his career but, after seeing a Harley Street specialist, he was advised not to race ride again.
The legacy of that fall remained with him. He endured considerable back trouble, resulting in severe pain and difficulty in breathing. He was given a disability card and told that he could only do light work.
The legacy of that fall remained with him. He endured considerable back trouble, resulting in severe pain and difficulty in breathing. He was given a disability card and told that he could only do light work.
Two years after the fall, Charlie accepted that his career was over and took a job as a baker’s roundsman in Romsey, Hampshire.
Two years after the fall, Charlie accepted that his career was over and took a job as a baker’s roundsman in Romsey, Hampshire.