Stan Pullen
Stan Pullen
Stan Pullen
1918-2006
1918-2006
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Stanley Ernest Pullen held a Flat jockey’s licence for over two decades and rode seven winners. He also had one under National Hunt rules.
Stanley Ernest Pullen held a Flat jockey’s licence for over two decades and rode seven winners. He also had one under National Hunt rules.
Born in 1918, he was apprenticed to leading Epsom trainer Walter Nightingall, and it was on one of the horses owned and trained by him that Stan had his first success, when Ichiban won the Apprentice Plate at Newmarket on July 17, 1935, scoring by three-quarters of a length. Of those apprentices who followed him home, only George Vergette, who finished third, went on to make any impact on the racing scene.
Born in 1918, he was apprenticed to leading Epsom trainer Walter Nightingall, and it was on one of the horses owned and trained by him that Stan had his first success, when Ichiban won the Apprentice Plate at Newmarket on July 17, 1935, scoring by three-quarters of a length. Of those apprentices who followed him home, only George Vergette, who finished third, went on to make any impact on the racing scene.
After finishing second in another apprentice race when 9-4 on favourite, Stan lost the ride on Ichiban, but he managed another win before the season ended. He added two more in 1938, but then the war intervened, and it was as a jump jockey that he added his next success, when Command Performance, also owned and trained by Walter Nightingall, won the Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Birmingham on January 20, 1947, although they may have been helped by the favourite, Fair Kop II, whipping round at the start before running on to finish third.
After finishing second in another apprentice race when 9-4 on favourite, Stan lost the ride on Ichiban, but he managed another win before the season ended. He added two more in 1938, but then the war intervened, and it was as a jump jockey that he added his next success, when Command Performance, also owned and trained by Walter Nightingall, won the Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Birmingham on January 20, 1947, although they may have been helped by the favourite, Fair Kop II, whipping round at the start before running on to finish third.
Stan’s final ride over jumps was when unplaced on Scrum Half in the Saturday Selling Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield Park on February 14, 1948. From then on, he confined himself to riding on the Flat.
Stan’s final ride over jumps was when unplaced on Scrum Half in the Saturday Selling Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield Park on February 14, 1948. From then on, he confined himself to riding on the Flat.
In 1955, he won three races on the three-year-old Down Stream, the last of which was a match for the August Handicap at Lewes on the 30th, when making all to beat Tommy Carter on Richie by six lengths.
In 1955, he won three races on the three-year-old Down Stream, the last of which was a match for the August Handicap at Lewes on the 30th, when making all to beat Tommy Carter on Richie by six lengths.
He last held a licence in 1957. All eight of his wins had been on horses trained by Walter Nightingall.
He last held a licence in 1957. All eight of his wins had been on horses trained by Walter Nightingall.
Stan Pullen died in 2006.
Stan Pullen died in 2006.
His winners were, in chronological order:
His winners were, in chronological order:
1. Ichiban, Newmarket, July 17, 1935
1. Ichiban, Newmarket, July 17, 1935
2. Flying torch, Windsor, November 8, 1935
2. Flying torch, Windsor, November 8, 1935
3. Frolic Wind, Newmarket, September 28, 1938
3. Frolic Wind, Newmarket, September 28, 1938
4. Royal Marcus, Alexandra Park, October 8, 1938
4. Royal Marcus, Alexandra Park, October 8, 1938
5. Command Performance, Birmingham, January 20, 1947
5. Command Performance, Birmingham, January 20, 1947
6. Down Stream, Hurst Park, May 30, 1955
6. Down Stream, Hurst Park, May 30, 1955
7. Down Stream, Lewes, August 5, 1955
7. Down Stream, Lewes, August 5, 1955
8. Down Stream, Lewes, August 30, 1955
8. Down Stream, Lewes, August 30, 1955
Stan Pullen's first winner: Ichiban, Newmarket, July 17, 1935
Stan Pullen's first winner: Ichiban, Newmarket, July 17, 1935
Stan's only win over the jumps was on Command Performance, Birmingham, January 20, 1947
Stan's only win over the jumps was on Command Performance, Birmingham, January 20, 1947