Peter Ennis
National Hunt jockey Peter Joseph Ennis was born in Dublin on 11 October 1946. Despite having no family background in racing, that was the direction he decided to take after leaving school.
National Hunt jockey Peter Joseph Ennis was born in Dublin on 11 October 1946. Despite having no family background in racing, that was the direction he decided to take after leaving school.
Peter served his apprenticeship with Jimmy Brogan, Charlie Weld and Pat Rooney, riding his first winner on Arctic Find, trained by Rooney, in division one of the Fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse’s Easter meeting on 19 April 1965. In September that year he won the valuable Carroll Handicap Hurdle at Dundalk on 20-1 outsider Blue Blazes.
Peter served his apprenticeship with Jimmy Brogan, Charlie Weld and Pat Rooney, riding his first winner on Arctic Find, trained by Rooney, in division one of the Fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse’s Easter meeting on 19 April 1965. In September that year he won the valuable Carroll Handicap Hurdle at Dundalk on 20-1 outsider Blue Blazes.
In search of better opportunities, Peter crossed the Irish Sea at the end of 1968 to ride as second jockey to Barry Brogan for Scottish Borders trainer Ken Oliver. He wasted little time in getting off the mark, riding Fooasaboot – a Scottish word for being ‘Brahms and Liszt’ – to victory in the Stockton Novices’ Hurdle at Sedgefield on 25 January 1969. He finished that season with eight wins from just 33 rides.
In search of better opportunities, Peter crossed the Irish Sea at the end of 1968 to ride as second jockey to Barry Brogan for Scottish Borders trainer Ken Oliver. He wasted little time in getting off the mark, riding Fooasaboot – a Scottish word for being ‘Brahms and Liszt’ – to victory in the Stockton Novices’ Hurdle at Sedgefield on 25 January 1969. He finished that season with eight wins from just 33 rides.
Riding for Oliver, Peter enjoyed his most successful season numerically in 1969/70 with 24 wins from 146 mounts. They included the 1970 Eider Handicap Chase on China Cloed.
Riding for Oliver, Peter enjoyed his most successful season numerically in 1969/70 with 24 wins from 146 mounts. They included the 1970 Eider Handicap Chase on China Cloed.
The following season he achieved his greatest success when winning the 1971 Scottish Grand National, ending the campaign with a score of 18 wins from 129 mounts. He also had his only ride in the Grand National that year, falling at the first fence on 80-1 longshot Craigbrock.
The following season he achieved his greatest success when winning the 1971 Scottish Grand National, ending the campaign with a score of 18 wins from 129 mounts. He also had his only ride in the Grand National that year, falling at the first fence on 80-1 longshot Craigbrock.
He won twice more on Young Ash Leaf the following term, landing Carlisle’s Windermere Handicap Chase in October 1971 and the Doncaster Pattern Chase, beating Titus Oates by four lengths, in November. However, his number of winners fell to 13 from 158 mounts that season.
He won twice more on Young Ash Leaf the following term, landing Carlisle’s Windermere Handicap Chase in October 1971 and the Doncaster Pattern Chase, beating Titus Oates by four lengths, in November. However, his number of winners fell to 13 from 158 mounts that season.
Sadly, from then on, Peter’s seasonal scores fell to single figures. He rode what proved to be his last winner on Mockey Joe in the Furness Selling Handicap Chase at Cartmel on Saturday, 29 May 1976.
Sadly, from then on, Peter’s seasonal scores fell to single figures. He rode what proved to be his last winner on Mockey Joe in the Furness Selling Handicap Chase at Cartmel on Saturday, 29 May 1976.
Peter Ennis winning the 1971 Doncaster Pattern Chase on Young Ash Leaf, leading Titus Oates (Ron Barry) over the last fence.
Peter Ennis winning the 1971 Doncaster Pattern Chase on Young Ash Leaf, leading Titus Oates (Ron Barry) over the last fence.