Charlie Elliott
1904 - 1979
1904 - 1979
Edward Charles Elliott, a groom’s son always known as Charlie Elliott, was born in Newmarket on 3rd October, 1904. He was apprenticed to Jack Jarvis between 1920 - 1924 and rode his first-ever winner on Tuesday March 22nd 1921. In a desperate finish, he drove home 7/1 Rakings shot by a short head in a Nottingham 5 furlong handicap, and consolidated that win with a second – Golden Myth, 100/7 – who beat an odds-on favourite and was to go on to win the next year’s Ascot Gold Cup and Eclipse.
Edward Charles Elliott, a groom’s son always known as Charlie Elliott, was born in Newmarket on 3rd October, 1904. He was apprenticed to Jack Jarvis between 1920 - 1924 and rode his first-ever winner on Tuesday March 22nd 1921. In a desperate finish, he drove home 7/1 Rakings shot by a short head in a Nottingham 5 furlong handicap, and consolidated that win with a second – Golden Myth, 100/7 – who beat an odds-on favourite and was to go on to win the next year’s Ascot Gold Cup and Eclipse.
Jack Jarvis was convinced he’d discovered a jockey of the future and initially put Charlie up in a race at Gatwick in the summer of 1921. Charlie, riding a strong, intelligent finish, confirmed his promise.
Jack Jarvis was convinced he’d discovered a jockey of the future and initially put Charlie up in a race at Gatwick in the summer of 1921. Charlie, riding a strong, intelligent finish, confirmed his promise.
He very nearly lost his apprentice allowance that season, riding 39 winners in less than three quarters of the racing year. The young jockey was appreciative of his mentor.
He very nearly lost his apprentice allowance that season, riding 39 winners in less than three quarters of the racing year. The young jockey was appreciative of his mentor.
Charlie said at the time ‘I can’t imagine myself as first jockey to anyone but my present ‘guvnor’ to whom I owe so much. The years I’ve spent with him have been the happiest of my life.’
Charlie said at the time ‘I can’t imagine myself as first jockey to anyone but my present ‘guvnor’ to whom I owe so much. The years I’ve spent with him have been the happiest of my life.’
Elliott took the Champion Jockey title twice – 1923 when joint champion with Steve Donoghue (83 winners) and 1924 when outright champion (with 106 winners - which was the highest number of winners that he was to achieve in any one season). He went on to win seven Derbies (three at Epsom, four at Chantilly), an Arc de Triomphe and fourteen domestic Classics.
Elliott took the Champion Jockey title twice – 1923 when joint champion with Steve Donoghue (83 winners) and 1924 when outright champion (with 106 winners - which was the highest number of winners that he was to achieve in any one season). He went on to win seven Derbies (three at Epsom, four at Chantilly), an Arc de Triomphe and fourteen domestic Classics.
On Dec 3rd Elliott was seriously injured in a car crash at Chantilly. His wife, who was also in the car, was slightly hurt.
On Dec 3rd Elliott was seriously injured in a car crash at Chantilly. His wife, who was also in the car, was slightly hurt.
In July, 1949, Charlie won the Eclipse Stakes on the French four-year-old Djeddah. After appearing to be in a hopeless position in the straight, Charlie made a fine run three furlongs out to win comfortably.
In July, 1949, Charlie won the Eclipse Stakes on the French four-year-old Djeddah. After appearing to be in a hopeless position in the straight, Charlie made a fine run three furlongs out to win comfortably.
Elliott retired from the saddle in 1953, spending the next five years as private After the war he rode for George Colling’s stable, and during the latter’s illness prepared Nimbus to win the 2,000 and Derby. He won the first-ever running (1951) of the King George on Supreme Court (beating a 15-year-old Lester Piggott into second place). Elliot retired from the saddle in 1953, spending the next five years as private trainer to Marcel Boussac in Chantilly. He finally retired in 1963 and suddenly it was all over.
Elliott retired from the saddle in 1953, spending the next five years as private After the war he rode for George Colling’s stable, and during the latter’s illness prepared Nimbus to win the 2,000 and Derby. He won the first-ever running (1951) of the King George on Supreme Court (beating a 15-year-old Lester Piggott into second place). Elliot retired from the saddle in 1953, spending the next five years as private trainer to Marcel Boussac in Chantilly. He finally retired in 1963 and suddenly it was all over.
He had known wonderful success but now the dazzling career was behind him.
He had known wonderful success but now the dazzling career was behind him.
When Scobie Breasley rode at his first meeting in England (Liverpool), Charlie told him of the advantage in heavy going of coming out wide on reaching the straight. Scobie took his advice and thereby won his first race, on Promotion.
When Scobie Breasley rode at his first meeting in England (Liverpool), Charlie told him of the advantage in heavy going of coming out wide on reaching the straight. Scobie took his advice and thereby won his first race, on Promotion.
Speaking about his 1938 Derby win on Bois Roussel he said ‘Halfway through the race I never thought I had a chance. Sixteen or seventeen horses were in front of me. I would have laid odds of a thousand to one against a win. But as we rounded Tattenham Corner, I touched Bois Roussel twice with the whip. He responded amazingly. As we were coming up to the winning post he just shot forward and finished in a canter.’
Speaking about his 1938 Derby win on Bois Roussel he said ‘Halfway through the race I never thought I had a chance. Sixteen or seventeen horses were in front of me. I would have laid odds of a thousand to one against a win. But as we rounded Tattenham Corner, I touched Bois Roussel twice with the whip. He responded amazingly. As we were coming up to the winning post he just shot forward and finished in a canter.’
The 1946 Arc De Triomphe was another memorable race. Charlie was on the exceptionally good-looking colt Caracalla who was unbeaten in its previous seven races. This was to be its last race, and Charlie was keen for the horse to retire undefeated. With barely a hundred yards to go, Prince Chevalier looked certain to win. Then Charlie switched his mount to the outside and reduced the Prince’s lead to half a length. With three strides to go, Charlie virtually lifted his horse across the line to force a photo finish.
The 1946 Arc De Triomphe was another memorable race. Charlie was on the exceptionally good-looking colt Caracalla who was unbeaten in its previous seven races. This was to be its last race, and Charlie was keen for the horse to retire undefeated. With barely a hundred yards to go, Prince Chevalier looked certain to win. Then Charlie switched his mount to the outside and reduced the Prince’s lead to half a length. With three strides to go, Charlie virtually lifted his horse across the line to force a photo finish.
It was impossible to say which had one. For two minutes of awful suspense Charlie, still on his mount, fixed his eye on the blank result board 200 yards away. An unbeaten record and a first prize of two million francs were at stake. Then the winner’s number was hoisted.
It was impossible to say which had one. For two minutes of awful suspense Charlie, still on his mount, fixed his eye on the blank result board 200 yards away. An unbeaten record and a first prize of two million francs were at stake. Then the winner’s number was hoisted.
Caracalla! Charlie had got up to win by a nose.
Caracalla! Charlie had got up to win by a nose.
Charlie’s father was an agricultural labourer at Newmarket: his sister worked as a barmaid in a licensed house there.
Charlie’s father was an agricultural labourer at Newmarket: his sister worked as a barmaid in a licensed house there.
First winners: Rakings & Golden Myth, Nottingham, March 22, 1921
First winners: Rakings & Golden Myth, Nottingham, March 22, 1921
Grand Prix de Paris winner: Pharis (1939)
Grand Prix de Paris winner: Pharis (1939)
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winners: Corrida (1936, 1937), Caracalla (1946)
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winners: Corrida (1936, 1937), Caracalla (1946)
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner: Supreme Court (1951)
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner: Supreme Court (1951)
Derby winners: Call Boy (1927), Bois Roussel (1938), Nimbus (1949)
Derby winners: Call Boy (1927), Bois Roussel (1938), Nimbus (1949)
Other English Classic winners: Ellangowan (1923 2,000 Guineas), Plack (1924 1,000 Guineas), Flamingo (1928 2,000 Guineas), Four Course (1931 1,000 Guineas), Brulette (1931 Oaks), Kandy (1932 1,000 Guineas), Djebel (1940 2,000 Guineas), Lambert Simnel (1941 2,000 Guineas), Why Hurry (1943 Oaks), Picture Play (1944 1,000 Guineas), Nimbus (1949 2,000 Guineas)
Other English Classic winners: Ellangowan (1923 2,000 Guineas), Plack (1924 1,000 Guineas), Flamingo (1928 2,000 Guineas), Four Course (1931 1,000 Guineas), Brulette (1931 Oaks), Kandy (1932 1,000 Guineas), Djebel (1940 2,000 Guineas), Lambert Simnel (1941 2,000 Guineas), Why Hurry (1943 Oaks), Picture Play (1944 1,000 Guineas), Nimbus (1949 2,000 Guineas)
Prix du Jockey-Club winners: Tourbillon (1931), Thor (1933), Cillas (1938), Pharis (1939)
Prix du Jockey-Club winners: Tourbillon (1931), Thor (1933), Cillas (1938), Pharis (1939)
Other French Classic winners: Asterus (1926 Poule d'Essai des Poulains), Pearl Cap (1931
Other French Classic winners: Asterus (1926 Poule d'Essai des Poulains), Pearl Cap (1931
Prix de Diane The Prix de Diane is a Group 1 flat horse race in France for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies at Chantilly Racecourse. The race is run annually on the second Sunday in June and is competed at a distance of 2,100 metres (approximately 1 mile 2½ furlongs). ), Adargatis (1934 Prix de Diane)
Prix de Diane The Prix de Diane is a Group 1 flat horse race in France for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies at Chantilly Racecourse. The race is run annually on the second Sunday in June and is competed at a distance of 2,100 metres (approximately 1 mile 2½ furlongs). ), Adargatis (1934 Prix de Diane)
Ascot Gold Cup winners: Golden Myth (1922), Caracalla (1946), Arbar (1948), Souepi (1953)
Ascot Gold Cup winners: Golden Myth (1922), Caracalla (1946), Arbar (1948), Souepi (1953)
Champion jockey in Britain: 1923 (joint), 1924
Champion jockey in Britain: 1923 (joint), 1924
Most wins in a British season: 106 (1924)
Most wins in a British season: 106 (1924)
Stables as trainer: curie Djebel, Chantilly 1954-58; Machell Place, Newmarket 1959-63
Stables as trainer: curie Djebel, Chantilly 1954-58; Machell Place, Newmarket 1959-63
Notable winners as trainer: Elpenor (1954 Ascot Gold Cup, 1955 Prix du Cadran The Prix du Cadran is a Group 1 flat horse race in France for four-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 4,000 metres (approximately 2 miles 4 furlongs) at Longchamp Racecourse during the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe meeting in early October. ), Macip (1955 Prix Royal-Oak, 1956 Ascot Gold Cup), Apollonia (1955 Grand Criterium, 1956 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches The Poule d'Essai des Pouliches is a Group 1 flat horse race in France for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 1,600 metres (approximately 1 mile) at Longchamp Racecourse in May. It is the French equivalent of the English 1,000 Guineas. , Prix de Diane), Philius (1956 Prix du Jockey-Club), Janiari (1956 Prix Vermeille), Arbencia (1957 Prix Vermeille).
Notable winners as trainer: Elpenor (1954 Ascot Gold Cup, 1955 Prix du Cadran The Prix du Cadran is a Group 1 flat horse race in France for four-year-old and above thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 4,000 metres (approximately 2 miles 4 furlongs) at Longchamp Racecourse during the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe meeting in early October. ), Macip (1955 Prix Royal-Oak, 1956 Ascot Gold Cup), Apollonia (1955 Grand Criterium, 1956 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches The Poule d'Essai des Pouliches is a Group 1 flat horse race in France for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 1,600 metres (approximately 1 mile) at Longchamp Racecourse in May. It is the French equivalent of the English 1,000 Guineas. , Prix de Diane), Philius (1956 Prix du Jockey-Club), Janiari (1956 Prix Vermeille), Arbencia (1957 Prix Vermeille).
When he finally retired in 1963, he fell on hard times, eventually being caught shop-lifting.
When he finally retired in 1963, he fell on hard times, eventually being caught shop-lifting.
Died: Paddington, London, January 6, 1979, aged 74
Died: Paddington, London, January 6, 1979, aged 74