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Ernie & Poethlyn: winners of the 1911 Grand National
Ernie & Poethlyn: winners of the 1911 Grand National
(1878 -1967)
(1878 -1967)
Ernest Piggott, the son of a hotel keeper, was born in Nantwich, Cheshire, on July 19, 1878. He served his apprenticeship with Flat trainer Tom Cannon at Danebury, Stockbridge, in Hampshire, but it was over jumps that he would make his name.
Ernest Piggott, the son of a hotel keeper, was born in Nantwich, Cheshire, on July 19, 1878. He served his apprenticeship with Flat trainer Tom Cannon at Danebury, Stockbridge, in Hampshire, but it was over jumps that he would make his name.
He had his first ride under National Hunt rules at Bromyard on October 15,1897, finishing unplaced on Philadelphus in the Thistle Selling Hurdle. He rode his first winner on Duello in the New Year’s Steeplechase at Plumpton on January 13, 1899.
He had his first ride under National Hunt rules at Bromyard on October 15,1897, finishing unplaced on Philadelphus in the Thistle Selling Hurdle. He rode his first winner on Duello in the New Year’s Steeplechase at Plumpton on January 13, 1899.
Two months later, Ernie finished third in the 1899 Grand National on 20-1 shot Elliman. His next Grand National mount was in 1902 on the dual winner Manifesto, by then a 14-year-old, again finishing third. Later that year he rode Manifesto to finished second in the Grand Sefton Chase, beaten eight lengths by future Grand National winner Kirkland.
Two months later, Ernie finished third in the 1899 Grand National on 20-1 shot Elliman. His next Grand National mount was in 1902 on the dual winner Manifesto, by then a 14-year-old, again finishing third. Later that year he rode Manifesto to finished second in the Grand Sefton Chase, beaten eight lengths by future Grand National winner Kirkland.
Having already established himself over jumps, Ernie took out a licence to ride on the Flat in 1902 and won on his very first ride, landing the Coronation Commemoration Stakes at Kempton Park on June 7 aboard the five-year-old Santoi. The race was over a mile and a half and the horse carried 9st 8lb. The Cannon brothers, Kempton and Mornington, and American jockey ‘Skeets’ Martin were among his five beaten rivals. Santoi had finished third in Epsom’s Coronation Cup just two days earlier when ridden by Morny Cannon.
Having already established himself over jumps, Ernie took out a licence to ride on the Flat in 1902 and won on his very first ride, landing the Coronation Commemoration Stakes at Kempton Park on June 7 aboard the five-year-old Santoi. The race was over a mile and a half and the horse carried 9st 8lb. The Cannon brothers, Kempton and Mornington, and American jockey ‘Skeets’ Martin were among his five beaten rivals. Santoi had finished third in Epsom’s Coronation Cup just two days earlier when ridden by Morny Cannon.
Next time out, at Royal Ascot on June 19, Ernie and Santoi finished third of 11 in the Ascot Gold Cup, with victory going to William The Third, the mount of Morny Cannon. The winning margin was five lengths. William The Third was back in action the very next day, winning the Alexandra Plate by six lengths, again ridden by Morny Cannon.
Next time out, at Royal Ascot on June 19, Ernie and Santoi finished third of 11 in the Ascot Gold Cup, with victory going to William The Third, the mount of Morny Cannon. The winning margin was five lengths. William The Third was back in action the very next day, winning the Alexandra Plate by six lengths, again ridden by Morny Cannon.
Ernie rode Santoi twice more that season without success. They took on William The Third again in the Doncaster Cup but finished last of three, beaten eight lengths and a head. Although, years later, he did manage to win one more race on the Flat when Briery took the Berwick Welter Handicap at Brighton on August 3, 1910, much greater glory awaited him over the jumps.
Ernie rode Santoi twice more that season without success. They took on William The Third again in the Doncaster Cup but finished last of three, beaten eight lengths and a head. Although, years later, he did manage to win one more race on the Flat when Briery took the Berwick Welter Handicap at Brighton on August 3, 1910, much greater glory awaited him over the jumps.
He fell on his third Grand National mount, Dearslayer, in 1903, but then completed the course, albeit last of the eight finishers on Manifesto, who was by then a spritely 16 years old.
He fell on his third Grand National mount, Dearslayer, in 1903, but then completed the course, albeit last of the eight finishers on Manifesto, who was by then a spritely 16 years old.
Ernie rode a great deal in France (where he became champion jockey) and Belgium during the early part of his career, amassing some 300 winners abroad. He did not settle back permanently in England until 1910, the year in which he became champion National Hunt jockey for the first time with 67 wins.
Ernie rode a great deal in France (where he became champion jockey) and Belgium during the early part of his career, amassing some 300 winners abroad. He did not settle back permanently in England until 1910, the year in which he became champion National Hunt jockey for the first time with 67 wins.
In 1912 he won the Grand National on Jerry M, trained at Findon by Bob Gore. Jerry M carried a massive 12st 7lb, joining Cloister and Manifesto as the only horses to have carried that weight to victory.
In 1912 he won the Grand National on Jerry M, trained at Findon by Bob Gore. Jerry M carried a massive 12st 7lb, joining Cloister and Manifesto as the only horses to have carried that weight to victory.
In 1913 he was champion jockey for the second time with 60 wins, his victories including the Imperial Cup on Rathlea and the Gatwick’s Grand International Hurdle on Bernstein – one of six occasions on which he won that race. Also that year, on November 27, he rode five successive winners at Kempton Park, landing the Barnes (3yo) Selling Hurdle on Teigue of the Lee (13-8 favourite), the Middlesex Handicap Chase on Dalnaspidal (4-1), the Richmond Chase on General Fox (walked over), the Sunbury Maiden Hurdle on Closheen (2-1 favourite), and the Staines Handicap Hurdle on General’s Pride (7-4 favourite).
In 1913 he was champion jockey for the second time with 60 wins, his victories including the Imperial Cup on Rathlea and the Gatwick’s Grand International Hurdle on Bernstein – one of six occasions on which he won that race. Also that year, on November 27, he rode five successive winners at Kempton Park, landing the Barnes (3yo) Selling Hurdle on Teigue of the Lee (13-8 favourite), the Middlesex Handicap Chase on Dalnaspidal (4-1), the Richmond Chase on General Fox (walked over), the Sunbury Maiden Hurdle on Closheen (2-1 favourite), and the Staines Handicap Hurdle on General’s Pride (7-4 favourite).
He was champion jockey again (for the third and last time) in the war-curtailed year of 1915 with a score of 44 wins.
He was champion jockey again (for the third and last time) in the war-curtailed year of 1915 with a score of 44 wins.
His older brother Charles, born in 1875, was a keen follower of the hunt, and a point-to-point rider. Charles served with the Worcestershire Regiment during the First World War and, on demobilisation, started training at Cleve Lodge, Cheltenham. One of his first successes came with Vaulx, which he had bought as a yearling for £10 and named after a village on the Somme.
His older brother Charles, born in 1875, was a keen follower of the hunt, and a point-to-point rider. Charles served with the Worcestershire Regiment during the First World War and, on demobilisation, started training at Cleve Lodge, Cheltenham. One of his first successes came with Vaulx, which he had bought as a yearling for £10 and named after a village on the Somme.
Ernie rode Poethlyn to win the substitute ‘War National’ Chase at Gatwick in 1918 and then rode him to win the real thing at Aintree the following year. Sent off the 11-4 favourite, Poethlyn emulated Cloister, Manifesto and Jerry M by hauling 12st 7lb to Grand National glory. The following month they added the valuable Lancashire Chase (for the second successive year), this time carrying 12st 9lb.
Ernie rode Poethlyn to win the substitute ‘War National’ Chase at Gatwick in 1918 and then rode him to win the real thing at Aintree the following year. Sent off the 11-4 favourite, Poethlyn emulated Cloister, Manifesto and Jerry M by hauling 12st 7lb to Grand National glory. The following month they added the valuable Lancashire Chase (for the second successive year), this time carrying 12st 9lb.
Ernie and Poethlyn were unbeaten in all six starts during 1919. Also that year, Ernie achieved his sole success at Cheltenham’s National Hunt Meeting when winning the Swindon Selling Handicap Chase on Prefect. He rode Poethlyn in the 1920 Grand National but came to grief.
Ernie and Poethlyn were unbeaten in all six starts during 1919. Also that year, Ernie achieved his sole success at Cheltenham’s National Hunt Meeting when winning the Swindon Selling Handicap Chase on Prefect. He rode Poethlyn in the 1920 Grand National but came to grief.
Ernie rode his last two winners at Sandown Park on March 10, 1921, landing the Lammas Hurdle on Mayhap for Bob Gore and the Aissele Handicap Hurdle on Kirkharle for Frank Hartigan. His final mount ended in a fall from Old Tay Bridge in the Grand National on March 18, 1921.
Ernie rode his last two winners at Sandown Park on March 10, 1921, landing the Lammas Hurdle on Mayhap for Bob Gore and the Aissele Handicap Hurdle on Kirkharle for Frank Hartigan. His final mount ended in a fall from Old Tay Bridge in the Grand National on March 18, 1921.
He retired having ridden 614 winners over jumps in Britain plus some 300 abroad. He trained with moderate success at Letcombe Regis, near Wantage, retiring in 1940 and moving to live in Oxford.
He retired having ridden 614 winners over jumps in Britain plus some 300 abroad. He trained with moderate success at Letcombe Regis, near Wantage, retiring in 1940 and moving to live in Oxford.
Ernie had married the sister of jockeys Mornington and Kempton Cannon. Their son, Keith, the father of Lester Piggott, was born in 1904. Keith rode his first winner aged 15 but soon became too heavy for the Flat. Like many a jockey before him, he switched to the jumps where he rode some 350 winners, including African Star in the 1939 Champion Hurdle for his Uncle Charles.
Ernie had married the sister of jockeys Mornington and Kempton Cannon. Their son, Keith, the father of Lester Piggott, was born in 1904. Keith rode his first winner aged 15 but soon became too heavy for the Flat. Like many a jockey before him, he switched to the jumps where he rode some 350 winners, including African Star in the 1939 Champion Hurdle for his Uncle Charles.
Ernest Piggott died, aged 88, in Oxford Hospital on March 13, 1967, having lived to see his son, Keith, train Ayala to win the 1963 National and his grandson, Lester, ride three (of his nine) Derby winners. He left £55,956.
Ernest Piggott died, aged 88, in Oxford Hospital on March 13, 1967, having lived to see his son, Keith, train Ayala to win the 1963 National and his grandson, Lester, ride three (of his nine) Derby winners. He left £55,956.
Biggest wins:
Biggest wins:
1904: Grand International Hurdle - Puerto
1904: Grand International Hurdle - Puerto
1909: Jubilee Hurdle - Master Tredennis
1909: Jubilee Hurdle - Master Tredennis
1909: Grand International Hurdle - Clown II
1909: Grand International Hurdle - Clown II
1910: Grand International Hurdle - Clown II
1910: Grand International Hurdle - Clown II
1912: Grand International Hurdle - Madcap
1912: Grand International Hurdle - Madcap
1912: Grand National - Jerry M
1912: Grand National - Jerry M
1913: Grand International Hurdle - Bernstein
1913: Grand International Hurdle - Bernstein
1913: Imperial Cup - Rathlea
1913: Imperial Cup - Rathlea
1914: Jubilee Hurdle - Castleton
1914: Jubilee Hurdle - Castleton
1910: Grand International Hurdle - Desmond’s Song
1910: Grand International Hurdle - Desmond’s Song
1918: ‘War National’ Handicap Chase - Poethlyn
1918: ‘War National’ Handicap Chase - Poethlyn
1918: Lancashire Chase - Poethlyn
1918: Lancashire Chase - Poethlyn
1919: Lancashire Chase - Poethlyn
1919: Lancashire Chase - Poethlyn
1919: Grand National - Poethlyn
1919: Grand National - Poethlyn
1920: Victory Chase - Loch Allen
1920: Victory Chase - Loch Allen
1920: Victory Hurdle - Ballyhandy
1920: Victory Hurdle - Ballyhandy
His 11 Grand National mounts were:
His 11 Grand National mounts were:
1899: Elliman – 3rd
1899: Elliman – 3rd
1902: Manifesto – 3rd
1902: Manifesto – 3rd
1903: Dearslayer – fell
1903: Dearslayer – fell
1904: Manifesto – 8th
1904: Manifesto – 8th
1909: The Lurcher – fell
1909: The Lurcher – fell
1912: Jerry M – 1st
1912: Jerry M – 1st
1914: Jacobus – fell
1914: Jacobus – fell
1915: Distaff – pulled up
1915: Distaff – pulled up
1919: Poethlyn – 1st
1919: Poethlyn – 1st
1920: Poethlyn – fell
1920: Poethlyn – fell
1921: Old Tay Bridge – fell
1921: Old Tay Bridge – fell
Additional material relating to Ernie Piggott’s Flat racing achievements courtesy of Alan Trout.
Additional material relating to Ernie Piggott’s Flat racing achievements courtesy of Alan Trout.
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