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Hubert Pitt
Hubert Pitt
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born around 1881, Hubert Pitt – no relation (as far as he is aware) to racing journalist and author Chris Pitt – had four wins under National Hunt rules in the years leading up to the First World War.
Born around 1881, Hubert Pitt – no relation (as far as he is aware) to racing journalist and author Chris Pitt – had four wins under National Hunt rules in the years leading up to the First World War.
One unusual aspect of his early career was that his first three rides under NH rules were all on the same horse, all three races had three runners, and he finished second and last each time.
One unusual aspect of his early career was that his first three rides under NH rules were all on the same horse, all three races had three runners, and he finished second and last each time.
Before that, however, he had tasted success in the Channel Islands, when Grenadilla II, with Hubert on board for the first time, won the Le Moye Steeplechase at Jersey on August 7, 1911, beating Golden Star, the mount of leading jockey Michael Tighe, by two lengths, the only other starter having fallen.
Before that, however, he had tasted success in the Channel Islands, when Grenadilla II, with Hubert on board for the first time, won the Le Moye Steeplechase at Jersey on August 7, 1911, beating Golden Star, the mount of leading jockey Michael Tighe, by two lengths, the only other starter having fallen.
Grenadilla II was also Hubert’s introduction to English National Hunt racing the following month, on September 12 at Totnes, where they were beaten four lengths by William Donnelly on The Lark II in the Somerset Chase. At the same course the next day the same horse and jockey beat them again, this time by three lengths. Then at Wye on October 2, George Clancy on Golden Star beat Grenadilla II by a length and a half.
Grenadilla II was also Hubert’s introduction to English National Hunt racing the following month, on September 12 at Totnes, where they were beaten four lengths by William Donnelly on The Lark II in the Somerset Chase. At the same course the next day the same horse and jockey beat them again, this time by three lengths. Then at Wye on October 2, George Clancy on Golden Star beat Grenadilla II by a length and a half.
Hubert finally got off the mark at Wye on New Year's Day 1912, when Lunsford, owned like Grenadilla II by Mr H. King, won the Wye Selling Handicap Hurdle by four lengths. Hubert kept the ride and was rewarded with a second victory at the Isle of Wight’s meeting on May 9, when landing the Sandown Selling Handicap Hurdle.
Hubert finally got off the mark at Wye on New Year's Day 1912, when Lunsford, owned like Grenadilla II by Mr H. King, won the Wye Selling Handicap Hurdle by four lengths. Hubert kept the ride and was rewarded with a second victory at the Isle of Wight’s meeting on May 9, when landing the Sandown Selling Handicap Hurdle.
Mr King also owned Hubert’s next winner, Master Spratt, successful in the Selling Hurdle at Chelmsford on April 3, 1913. Again, Hubert kept the ride, but this time only managed one third place from three subsequent starts.
Mr King also owned Hubert’s next winner, Master Spratt, successful in the Selling Hurdle at Chelmsford on April 3, 1913. Again, Hubert kept the ride, but this time only managed one third place from three subsequent starts.
He had his last win when another of Mr King’s horses, the odds-on favourite R.G.H., beat three rivals to claim the Cowes Hurdle at the Isle of Wight on April 30, 1914.
He had his last win when another of Mr King’s horses, the odds-on favourite R.G.H., beat three rivals to claim the Cowes Hurdle at the Isle of Wight on April 30, 1914.
Hubert’s final ride was again for Mr King, when Fair Rosamond III finished fifth of ten runners in the Ely Selling Handicap Hurdle at Cardiff on June 2, 1914.
Hubert’s final ride was again for Mr King, when Fair Rosamond III finished fifth of ten runners in the Ely Selling Handicap Hurdle at Cardiff on June 2, 1914.
Hubert Pitt’s winners were, in chronological order:
Hubert Pitt’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Lunsford, Wye, January 1, 1912
1. Lunsford, Wye, January 1, 1912
2. Lunsford, Isle of Wight, May 9, 1912
2. Lunsford, Isle of Wight, May 9, 1912
3. Master Spratt, Chelmsford, April 3, 1913
3. Master Spratt, Chelmsford, April 3, 1913
4. R.G.H., Isle of Wight, April 30, 1914
4. R.G.H., Isle of Wight, April 30, 1914
Hubert Pitt's last win came on the Isle of Wight
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