Percy Evans
1910 - 1974
1910 - 1974
Keen gardener & rugby enthusiast Percy Evans was born at Mastle Bridge, Pembrokeshire, on April 1, 1910.
Keen gardener & rugby enthusiast Percy Evans was born at Mastle Bridge, Pembrokeshire, on April 1, 1910.
He rode 50 winners in 1938, enjoying a remarkable April.
He rode 50 winners in 1938, enjoying a remarkable April.
This produced 17 wins, eight seconds and three thirds with just four running unplaced.....a remarkable achievement.
This produced 17 wins, eight seconds and three thirds with just four running unplaced.....a remarkable achievement.
Lightweight Welshman Percy served his apprenticeship - from 1927 to 1930 - with Bartram Mitford Bullock, who sent horses out from Newby Hill Stables, Skelton-on-Ure, Ripon, Yorks.
Lightweight Welshman Percy served his apprenticeship - from 1927 to 1930 - with Bartram Mitford Bullock, who sent horses out from Newby Hill Stables, Skelton-on-Ure, Ripon, Yorks.
It was for Bullock that Percy rode his first winner, Martyr at Hamilton on May 27, 1929.
It was for Bullock that Percy rode his first winner, Martyr at Hamilton on May 27, 1929.
He was later retained by trainer Arthur John Thomas whose stables, Silverbirches, stood in Pickford Grange Lane, Allesley, Coventry.
He was later retained by trainer Arthur John Thomas whose stables, Silverbirches, stood in Pickford Grange Lane, Allesley, Coventry.
The most amount of winners he rode in one season was 58 in 1946.
The most amount of winners he rode in one season was 58 in 1946.
Percy had an incredible strike rate in big races.
Percy had an incredible strike rate in big races.
These included the Stewards' Cup, Jockey Club Cup, Liverpool Spring Cup, Victoria Cup (twice), Rosebery Stakes, Great Yorkshire Stakes, Jubilee Handicap, Portland, Free Handicap, Cheveley Park, Ebor, Cambridgeshire, Manchester November Handicap, Newcastle Cup & the Brighton Cup.
These included the Stewards' Cup, Jockey Club Cup, Liverpool Spring Cup, Victoria Cup (twice), Rosebery Stakes, Great Yorkshire Stakes, Jubilee Handicap, Portland, Free Handicap, Cheveley Park, Ebor, Cambridgeshire, Manchester November Handicap, Newcastle Cup & the Brighton Cup.
He was associated with the Ellesmere House, Newmarket, stables of Robert John Colling's, with whom he stayed for eighteen years.
He was associated with the Ellesmere House, Newmarket, stables of Robert John Colling's, with whom he stayed for eighteen years.
During the war, Percy was in the Beds. & Herts. Regt., Royal Norfolk, R.A.V.C. for five and a half years.
During the war, Percy was in the Beds. & Herts. Regt., Royal Norfolk, R.A.V.C. for five and a half years.
Percy rode a winner on every British racecourse bar Salisbury.
Percy rode a winner on every British racecourse bar Salisbury.
He also rode 20 winners in India at Madras in 1935-36.
He also rode 20 winners in India at Madras in 1935-36.
Percy, who lived at Guy's Cliff Stables, Kenilworth Road, Warwick, was married to Margaret Ray. She gave him one son, Frederick, and three daughters, Jean, Janet & Dorothy.
Percy, who lived at Guy's Cliff Stables, Kenilworth Road, Warwick, was married to Margaret Ray. She gave him one son, Frederick, and three daughters, Jean, Janet & Dorothy.
Percy, the son of jump jockey George Essex Evans, died at Newmarket on August 9, 1974, aged 64.
Percy, the son of jump jockey George Essex Evans, died at Newmarket on August 9, 1974, aged 64.
He had retired in 1963 and had taken up training, with modest success.
He had retired in 1963 and had taken up training, with modest success.
His son (F. W. Evans) rode as a jockey in the late forties & early fifties.
His son (F. W. Evans) rode as a jockey in the late forties & early fifties.
Big winners
Big winners
1938: Stewards Cup – Harmachris
1938: Stewards Cup – Harmachris
1940: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Caxton
1940: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Caxton
1944: Ebor Handicap – The Kernel
1944: Ebor Handicap – The Kernel
1946: Jockey Club Cup – Felix II
1946: Jockey Club Cup – Felix II
1947: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Good Company
1947: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Good Company
1947: Cheveley Park Stakes – Ash Blonde
1947: Cheveley Park Stakes – Ash Blonde
1949: Free Handicap – Spy Legend
1949: Free Handicap – Spy Legend
1949: Portland Handicap – Le Lavendou
1949: Portland Handicap – Le Lavendou
1950: Victoria Cup – Star Signal
1950: Victoria Cup – Star Signal
1951: Union Stakes (Birmingham) – Lady Godiva
1951: Union Stakes (Birmingham) – Lady Godiva
1952: Victoria Cup – Star Signal
1952: Victoria Cup – Star Signal
1952: Manchester November Handicap – Summer Rain
1952: Manchester November Handicap – Summer Rain
1953: Great Jubilee Handicap – Durante
1953: Great Jubilee Handicap – Durante