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Elfyn Parry
Elfyn Parry
1920 - 2015
1920 - 2015
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Elfyn Henry Parry had plenty of rides during the first half of the 1950s, ending with 16 wins under National Hunt rules.
Elfyn Henry Parry had plenty of rides during the first half of the 1950s, ending with 16 wins under National Hunt rules.
Born in 1920, he made his debut on Golden Tree, unplaced in the Orchard Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Wincanton on October 29, 1949. His first win came at Buckfastleigh on Whit Monday, May 29, 1950, when guiding the six-year-old Widow’s Cruise to a seven-length success in the Buckfast Handicap Hurdle. It had almost been an even more memorable occasion for Elfyn, for earlier in the afternoon he was beaten a short head on Wild And Willing in the Wallaford Moderate Handicap Chase by Strongbow, the mount of John Parkin, who was riding what turned out to be the final winner of his career.
Born in 1920, he made his debut on Golden Tree, unplaced in the Orchard Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Wincanton on October 29, 1949. His first win came at Buckfastleigh on Whit Monday, May 29, 1950, when guiding the six-year-old Widow’s Cruise to a seven-length success in the Buckfast Handicap Hurdle. It had almost been an even more memorable occasion for Elfyn, for earlier in the afternoon he was beaten a short head on Wild And Willing in the Wallaford Moderate Handicap Chase by Strongbow, the mount of John Parkin, who was riding what turned out to be the final winner of his career.
Progress was slow – it was not until Buckfastleigh’s corresponding fixture a year later that he rode his second winner – but he struck up a useful partnership with trainer Jack Anthony, formerly a top jockey, and won four races on his Windsor Knight, including three in 1952, the year in which he also rode over the Liverpool fences for the only time. However, his mount, Watercress II, fell at the first in the Topham Trophy. Twelve days later he rode the same horse in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow but finished last.
Progress was slow – it was not until Buckfastleigh’s corresponding fixture a year later that he rode his second winner – but he struck up a useful partnership with trainer Jack Anthony, formerly a top jockey, and won four races on his Windsor Knight, including three in 1952, the year in which he also rode over the Liverpool fences for the only time. However, his mount, Watercress II, fell at the first in the Topham Trophy. Twelve days later he rode the same horse in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow but finished last.
Occasionally the association with Jack Anthony did not go so well. At Wincanton on Boxing Day 1952 his mount, Elsinore Castle, finished first in the Downton Selling Handicap Hurdle, beating Pepito II by three lengths. However, the winner was disqualified on the grounds that “the transfer of engagements had not been lodged as required by rule 88,” resulting in Jack Anthony being fined for carelessness.
Occasionally the association with Jack Anthony did not go so well. At Wincanton on Boxing Day 1952 his mount, Elsinore Castle, finished first in the Downton Selling Handicap Hurdle, beating Pepito II by three lengths. However, the winner was disqualified on the grounds that “the transfer of engagements had not been lodged as required by rule 88,” resulting in Jack Anthony being fined for carelessness.
Elfyn won four races on the selling chaser Desire. He had his last victory at Newbury on February 16, 1955, when his mount, Foeman, landed the Minors’ Maiden Hurdle (Division 1), beating Rock Hyacinth, the mount of Bryan Marshall, by four lengths. He had one more ride on the four-year-old, finishing second at Warwick on March 12, before Harry Sprague took over in the saddle.
Elfyn won four races on the selling chaser Desire. He had his last victory at Newbury on February 16, 1955, when his mount, Foeman, landed the Minors’ Maiden Hurdle (Division 1), beating Rock Hyacinth, the mount of Bryan Marshall, by four lengths. He had one more ride on the four-year-old, finishing second at Warwick on March 12, before Harry Sprague took over in the saddle.
His final mount was at Worcester on March 3, 1956, when Shining Guinea was unplaced in the Droitwich Handicap Hurdle.
His final mount was at Worcester on March 3, 1956, when Shining Guinea was unplaced in the Droitwich Handicap Hurdle.
Elfyn Parry died in 2015.
Elfyn Parry died in 2015.
Elfyn Parry’s winners were, in chronological order.
Elfyn Parry’s winners were, in chronological order.
1. Widow’s Cruise, Buckfastleigh, May 29, 1950
1. Widow’s Cruise, Buckfastleigh, May 29, 1950
2. Windsor Knight, Buckfastleigh, May 14, 1951
2. Windsor Knight, Buckfastleigh, May 14, 1951
3. Princess Penny, Worcester, September 8, 1951
3. Princess Penny, Worcester, September 8, 1951
4. Noblest Roman, Cheltenham, December 31, 1951
4. Noblest Roman, Cheltenham, December 31, 1951
5. Windsor Knight, Newton Abbot, April 12, 1952
5. Windsor Knight, Newton Abbot, April 12, 1952
6. Miss Finny, Wincanton, May 1, 1952
6. Miss Finny, Wincanton, May 1, 1952
7. Windsor Knight, Buckfastleigh, May 31, 1952
7. Windsor Knight, Buckfastleigh, May 31, 1952
8. Windsor Knight, Buckfastleigh, June 2, 1952
8. Windsor Knight, Buckfastleigh, June 2, 1952
9. Estrador, Newton Abbot, October 4, 1952
9. Estrador, Newton Abbot, October 4, 1952
10. Elsinore Castle, Hurst Park, December 20, 1952
10. Elsinore Castle, Hurst Park, December 20, 1952
11. Desire, Wincanton, April 30, 1953
11. Desire, Wincanton, April 30, 1953
12. Desire, Stratford-on-Avon, May 7, 1953
12. Desire, Stratford-on-Avon, May 7, 1953
13. Desire, Newbury, December 11, 1953
13. Desire, Newbury, December 11, 1953
14. Desire, Warwick, February 22, 1954
14. Desire, Warwick, February 22, 1954
15. Mont St. Michel, Wolverhampton, March 8, 1954
15. Mont St. Michel, Wolverhampton, March 8, 1954
16. Foeman, Newbury, February 16, 1955
16. Foeman, Newbury, February 16, 1955
Elfyn Parry's final winner, Foeman
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