Rene Emery
Born in Bordeaux, French jump jockey Rene Emery recorded several major victories on home soil, including the 1950 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris on Meli Melo and back-to-back renewals of the Le Prix La Haye Jousselin on the same horse.
Born in Bordeaux, French jump jockey Rene Emery recorded several major victories on home soil, including the 1950 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris on Meli Melo and back-to-back renewals of the Le Prix La Haye Jousselin on the same horse.
He came to England in 1949 and had his first ride at Towcester on October 29 that year, when Vatel finished unplaced in the Greens Norton Handicap Hurdle. His first win came just five days later when Rigolo, trained by fellow Frenchman Bobby Bates, landed the Ferring Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) at Fontwell Park. The winner took the lead before the final flight and went on to beat Bentley, the mount of Tommy Cusack, by five lengths.
He came to England in 1949 and had his first ride at Towcester on October 29 that year, when Vatel finished unplaced in the Greens Norton Handicap Hurdle. His first win came just five days later when Rigolo, trained by fellow Frenchman Bobby Bates, landed the Ferring Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) at Fontwell Park. The winner took the lead before the final flight and went on to beat Bentley, the mount of Tommy Cusack, by five lengths.
His most successful season was in 1953/54 when he rode 58 winners and finished runner-up to Dick Francis in the jockeys’ table.
His most successful season was in 1953/54 when he rode 58 winners and finished runner-up to Dick Francis in the jockeys’ table.
His major victories included the Mildmay Memorial Chase twice on Whispering Steel (1953) and Pondapatarri (1956), the Imperial Cup twice on Mister Bidar (1951) and Camugliano (1957), and, at Cheltenham in 1954, the Cotswold (now the Arkle) Chase on Armorial and Gloucestershire (now Supreme Novices) Hurdle on Tasmin.
His major victories included the Mildmay Memorial Chase twice on Whispering Steel (1953) and Pondapatarri (1956), the Imperial Cup twice on Mister Bidar (1951) and Camugliano (1957), and, at Cheltenham in 1954, the Cotswold (now the Arkle) Chase on Armorial and Gloucestershire (now Supreme Novices) Hurdle on Tasmin.
He rode in three Grand Nationals but failed to complete the course, falling on Broomfield in 1953, pulling up on Little Yid in 1955, and falling again on Mariner’s Log in 1956. His other rides over the Liverpool fences were Tiber Flight, who finished third in the 1953 Becher Chase, and Shock Tactics, a faller in the 1954 Topham Trophy.
He rode in three Grand Nationals but failed to complete the course, falling on Broomfield in 1953, pulling up on Little Yid in 1955, and falling again on Mariner’s Log in 1956. His other rides over the Liverpool fences were Tiber Flight, who finished third in the 1953 Becher Chase, and Shock Tactics, a faller in the 1954 Topham Trophy.
He rode in five Champion Hurdles, finishing third on Tout ou Rien in 1957. His only ride in the Cheltenham Gold Cup was on Vigor, who finished second to Limber Hill in 1956.
He rode in five Champion Hurdles, finishing third on Tout ou Rien in 1957. His only ride in the Cheltenham Gold Cup was on Vigor, who finished second to Limber Hill in 1956.
Rene’s last was on Sire de l’Ardour II in the Bull Barn Novices’ Hurdle at Plumpton on April 8, 1959. He had his final ride the following day when Karen's Choice was a faller in the Leamington Handicap Hurdle (Division 1) at Stratford-on-Avon.
Rene’s last was on Sire de l’Ardour II in the Bull Barn Novices’ Hurdle at Plumpton on April 8, 1959. He had his final ride the following day when Karen's Choice was a faller in the Leamington Handicap Hurdle (Division 1) at Stratford-on-Avon.
He began training at Lewes and then moved to Portland House, Epsom in 1960 but had little success. In 1962 he returned to France, where he became private trainer to Marcel Boussac, based at Chantilly.
He began training at Lewes and then moved to Portland House, Epsom in 1960 but had little success. In 1962 he returned to France, where he became private trainer to Marcel Boussac, based at Chantilly.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1949: Le Prix La Haye Jousselin – Meli Melo
1949: Le Prix La Haye Jousselin – Meli Melo
1950: Le Prix La Haye Jousselin – Meli Melo
1950: Le Prix La Haye Jousselin – Meli Melo
1950: Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris – Meli Melo
1950: Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris – Meli Melo
1951: Imperial Cup – Master Bidar
1951: Imperial Cup – Master Bidar
1953: Mildmay Memorial Chase – Whispering Steel
1953: Mildmay Memorial Chase – Whispering Steel
1954: Gloucestershire Hurdle – Tasmin
1954: Gloucestershire Hurdle – Tasmin
1954: Cotswold Chase – Armorial
1954: Cotswold Chase – Armorial
1955: Lancashire Hurdle – Didonic
1955: Lancashire Hurdle – Didonic
1956: Sandown Open Chase – Vigor
1956: Sandown Open Chase – Vigor
1956: Mildmay of Flete Chase – Pondapatarri
1956: Mildmay of Flete Chase – Pondapatarri
1957: Imperial Cup – Camugliano
1957: Imperial Cup – Camugliano
