Tommy Pickernell
1834 - 1912
1834 - 1912
Tommy Pickernell, who rode under the name Mr Thomas, was born in Shrawley, Worcester, in December 1834 and, aged four, had the ability to ride his pet pony over a three-mile trek.
Tommy Pickernell, who rode under the name Mr Thomas, was born in Shrawley, Worcester, in December 1834 and, aged four, had the ability to ride his pet pony over a three-mile trek.
Tom Oliver, who gave Tommy his first mount before he was a pupil at Cheltenham College, and Issac Day were two prominent trainers of the day willing to teach the youngster the art of race-riding. It was whilst at college that Tommy, then fifteen, suffered his first racing injury when, at a Cheltenham riding school, his horse fell over a fixed bar. Tommy's right thigh was broken, which left him with one leg two inches shorter than the other.
Tom Oliver, who gave Tommy his first mount before he was a pupil at Cheltenham College, and Issac Day were two prominent trainers of the day willing to teach the youngster the art of race-riding. It was whilst at college that Tommy, then fifteen, suffered his first racing injury when, at a Cheltenham riding school, his horse fell over a fixed bar. Tommy's right thigh was broken, which left him with one leg two inches shorter than the other.
Tommy made his racing debut at Andoversford, Tom Oliver remarking afterwards that he was glad the precocious lad did not win for it would show him that he had plenty to learn.
Tommy made his racing debut at Andoversford, Tom Oliver remarking afterwards that he was glad the precocious lad did not win for it would show him that he had plenty to learn.
He rode in the Grand National seventeen times, winning in 1860 on Anatis, in 1871 on The Lamb and in 1875 on Pathfinder. Because of the heavy ground, Tommy almost pulled Pathfinder up as they raced across a ploughed field (as they did then) but decided to give the owners a reasonable run for their money and continued.
He rode in the Grand National seventeen times, winning in 1860 on Anatis, in 1871 on The Lamb and in 1875 on Pathfinder. Because of the heavy ground, Tommy almost pulled Pathfinder up as they raced across a ploughed field (as they did then) but decided to give the owners a reasonable run for their money and continued.
Tommy was then astonished as Pathfinder somehow found some renewed energy and together they took the race by just half a length.
Tommy was then astonished as Pathfinder somehow found some renewed energy and together they took the race by just half a length.
Until Dick Saunders guided Grittar to victory in the 1982 Grand National, Tommy had been the oldest jockey to win the race.
Until Dick Saunders guided Grittar to victory in the 1982 Grand National, Tommy had been the oldest jockey to win the race.
On 15 December 1870, Tommy received the following prophetic letter from Lord Poulett, the owner of The Lamb:
On 15 December 1870, Tommy received the following prophetic letter from Lord Poulett, the owner of The Lamb:
My Dear Tommy - Let me know for certain if you can ride for me for Liverpool on The Lamb. I dreamt twice last night I saw the race run. The first dream he was last, and finished among the carriages. The second dream - I should think about an hour afterwards - I saw the Liverpool run. He won by four lengths and you rode him, and I stood above the winning-post, at the turn. I saw the cerise-and-blue sleeves, and you, as plain as I write this. Now let me know as soon as you can, and say nothing to anyone. Yours sincerely, Poulett.
My Dear Tommy - Let me know for certain if you can ride for me for Liverpool on The Lamb. I dreamt twice last night I saw the race run. The first dream he was last, and finished among the carriages. The second dream - I should think about an hour afterwards - I saw the Liverpool run. He won by four lengths and you rode him, and I stood above the winning-post, at the turn. I saw the cerise-and-blue sleeves, and you, as plain as I write this. Now let me know as soon as you can, and say nothing to anyone. Yours sincerely, Poulett.
In April 1877, he suffered a dreadful fall on the flat at Sandown. In a 23-runner race run in heavy mud, Tommy's horse crossed his legs and fell, throwing its rider beneath the hooves of the following runners. In addition to breaking his jaw in three places, he lost the sight of one eye and badly injured the other. He lay unconscious for five days - his career in the saddle was over.
In April 1877, he suffered a dreadful fall on the flat at Sandown. In a 23-runner race run in heavy mud, Tommy's horse crossed his legs and fell, throwing its rider beneath the hooves of the following runners. In addition to breaking his jaw in three places, he lost the sight of one eye and badly injured the other. He lay unconscious for five days - his career in the saddle was over.
In 1884, he was appointed inspector of steeplechase courses, and - having ridden in Ireland, France and Tasmania (where he rode his first winner in 1853) - he brought a wealth of experience to the post. Tommy, after leaving Cheltenham College, joined the Royal Engineers and went to Tasmania in charge of the last troop of male convicts sent to Van Dieman's Land. So successful a rider did he become there that the natives of the colony presented him with a petition begging him to stop riding and taking the bread out of the mouths of the professional riders there. In an attempted highway robbery, he was shot at - and missed - whilst riding from Deloraine to Launceston. His assailant, Rocky Wheelan, was subsequently captured and hanged. Having ridden about sixty winners, he returned to England in December 1855.
In 1884, he was appointed inspector of steeplechase courses, and - having ridden in Ireland, France and Tasmania (where he rode his first winner in 1853) - he brought a wealth of experience to the post. Tommy, after leaving Cheltenham College, joined the Royal Engineers and went to Tasmania in charge of the last troop of male convicts sent to Van Dieman's Land. So successful a rider did he become there that the natives of the colony presented him with a petition begging him to stop riding and taking the bread out of the mouths of the professional riders there. In an attempted highway robbery, he was shot at - and missed - whilst riding from Deloraine to Launceston. His assailant, Rocky Wheelan, was subsequently captured and hanged. Having ridden about sixty winners, he returned to England in December 1855.
His intention at that time was to learn hop growing, so he moved to Hereford, but the lure of racing proved too strong.
His intention at that time was to learn hop growing, so he moved to Hereford, but the lure of racing proved too strong.
He won the big steeplechase at Shrewsbury in November 1857 on Tom Moody and, in 1860, won 63 races in all. During his career, Tommy rode over 1,000 winners.
He won the big steeplechase at Shrewsbury in November 1857 on Tom Moody and, in 1860, won 63 races in all. During his career, Tommy rode over 1,000 winners.
By 1896, Tommy - then living at Hatherley Lodge, King's Heath, Birmingham - was, following a string of bad investments, living in much-reduced circumstances, and a 'respectable' sum was collected for him by his friends. He was able to pay off his mortgage and buy an annual annuity which enabled him to end his days without discomfort.
By 1896, Tommy - then living at Hatherley Lodge, King's Heath, Birmingham - was, following a string of bad investments, living in much-reduced circumstances, and a 'respectable' sum was collected for him by his friends. He was able to pay off his mortgage and buy an annual annuity which enabled him to end his days without discomfort.
Tommy died at his home, 16, Valentine Road, King's Heath, on November 20 1912, aged 78. He left £244.
Tommy died at his home, 16, Valentine Road, King's Heath, on November 20 1912, aged 78. He left £244.
Tommy's big wins include:
Tommy's big wins include:
1857: Shrewsbury Steeplechase - Tom Moody (above)
1857: Shrewsbury Steeplechase - Tom Moody (above)
1866: Grand Sefton - Sprite
1866: Grand Sefton - Sprite
1877: Scottish Grand National - Solicitor (he beat Earl Marshall in a two-horse race)
1877: Scottish Grand National - Solicitor (he beat Earl Marshall in a two-horse race)
Tommy's Grand National rides:
Tommy's Grand National rides:
1859: Anatis (fifth)
1859: Anatis (fifth)
1860: Anatis (won)
1860: Anatis (won)
1861: Anatis (unplaced)
1861: Anatis (unplaced)
1862: Anatis (unplaced)
1862: Anatis (unplaced)
1865: Lumpkin (unplaced)
1865: Lumpkin (unplaced)
1866: Milltown (fell)
1866: Milltown (fell)
1867: Shangarry (third)
1867: Shangarry (third)
1868: Daisy (unplaced)
1868: Daisy (unplaced)
1869: The Nun (unplaced)
1869: The Nun (unplaced)
1870: Hall Court (unplaced)
1870: Hall Court (unplaced)
1871: The Lamb (won)
1871: The Lamb (won)
1872: The Lamb (fourth)
1872: The Lamb (fourth)
1873: Broadlea (fell)
1873: Broadlea (fell)
1874: Eurotas (eleventh)
1874: Eurotas (eleventh)
1875: Pathfinder (won)
1875: Pathfinder (won)
1876: Defence (tenth)
1876: Defence (tenth)
1877: The Liberator (third)
1877: The Liberator (third)