Walter Earl
1891 - 1950
A genial and highly competent individual, Walter Earl was born on October 8, 1891, in Bohemia where his father had spent over 40 years training horses.
A genial and highly competent individual, Walter Earl was born on October 8, 1891, in Bohemia where his father had spent over 40 years training horses.
Walter was sent to England as a young man and became apprenticed to William Waugh at Kingsclere.
Walter was sent to England as a young man and became apprenticed to William Waugh at Kingsclere.
He rode his first winner on Scaraben in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Goodwood on August 1, 1906 but soon found himself struggling with his weight and for some years rode with success over the sticks.
He rode his first winner on Scaraben in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Goodwood on August 1, 1906 but soon found himself struggling with his weight and for some years rode with success over the sticks.
He rode his first winner under National Hunt rules on Bagotstown in the Wimbledon Three-Year-Old Hurdle at Kempton Park on December 1, 1910. The following year he achieved a career best total of 24 wins.
He rode his first winner under National Hunt rules on Bagotstown in the Wimbledon Three-Year-Old Hurdle at Kempton Park on December 1, 1910. The following year he achieved a career best total of 24 wins.
He did not ride any big winners. The nearest he got was finishing second in the 1914 Grand International Hurdle at Gatwick on Primrose Path and third in the 1912 Liverpool Hurdle on Selectman.
He did not ride any big winners. The nearest he got was finishing second in the 1914 Grand International Hurdle at Gatwick on Primrose Path and third in the 1912 Liverpool Hurdle on Selectman.
He registered his last win on Green Lane in the Woking Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on February 21, 1918. His final ride was also at Sandown, when finishing third on Morning Star in the Four-Year-Old Hurdle on February 27, 1919.
He registered his last win on Green Lane in the Woking Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on February 21, 1918. His final ride was also at Sandown, when finishing third on Morning Star in the Four-Year-Old Hurdle on February 27, 1919.
He switched to training in 1920. In 1924 he became private trainer to Solly Joel at Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket, winning the 1925 Eclipse Stakes for him with Polyphontes and the 1926 Goodwood Cup with Glommen. He trained Pons Asinorum to win the Ebor Handicap in 1926 and both the Manchester Cup and Doncaster Cup in 1928.
He switched to training in 1920. In 1924 he became private trainer to Solly Joel at Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket, winning the 1925 Eclipse Stakes for him with Polyphontes and the 1926 Goodwood Cup with Glommen. He trained Pons Asinorum to win the Ebor Handicap in 1926 and both the Manchester Cup and Doncaster Cup in 1928.
Following the death of Solly Joel in 1931, Walter ran a public stable until succeeding Colledge Leader as trainer to Lord Derby at Stanley House on January 1, 1939. He was responsible for six wartime Classic winners including the 1942 Derby victor Watling Street.
Following the death of Solly Joel in 1931, Walter ran a public stable until succeeding Colledge Leader as trainer to Lord Derby at Stanley House on January 1, 1939. He was responsible for six wartime Classic winners including the 1942 Derby victor Watling Street.
In 1943, he trained Herringbone to win both the 1,000 Guineas and St Leger. He saddled the filly Garden Path to beat the colts in the 1944 2,000 Guineas. Then in 1945 he trained Sun Stream to land the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks double.
In 1943, he trained Herringbone to win both the 1,000 Guineas and St Leger. He saddled the filly Garden Path to beat the colts in the 1944 2,000 Guineas. Then in 1945 he trained Sun Stream to land the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks double.
The last notable horse he trained was Lord Derby’s brilliant stayer Alycidon, who in 1949 completed the Gold Cup treble of the Ascot Gold Cup, the Goodwood Cup and the Doncaster Cup.
The last notable horse he trained was Lord Derby’s brilliant stayer Alycidon, who in 1949 completed the Gold Cup treble of the Ascot Gold Cup, the Goodwood Cup and the Doncaster Cup.
By that time, Walter was suffering from a tumour on the brain. In 1949, he collapsed during racing at Newmarket. He underwent brain surgery, but remained desperately ill until dying the following year on September 28, 1950. He left £6,283.
By that time, Walter was suffering from a tumour on the brain. In 1949, he collapsed during racing at Newmarket. He underwent brain surgery, but remained desperately ill until dying the following year on September 28, 1950. He left £6,283.
