Charlie Dowdall
1914 - 1995
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Flat jockey Charles Roy Dowdall was born in Ollerton on January 3, 1914, the son of a miner from Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. His greatest moment in the saddle came when winning the Manchester November Handicap in 1931 on a horse called North Drift.
Flat jockey Charles Roy Dowdall was born in Ollerton on January 3, 1914, the son of a miner from Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. His greatest moment in the saddle came when winning the Manchester November Handicap in 1931 on a horse called North Drift.
North Drift was sent off the 8/1 favourite for the mile-and-a-half handicap. He carried only 7st 6lb and with the help of a saddle borrowed from Tommy Weston, he landed one of the biggest gambles of the season.
North Drift was sent off the 8/1 favourite for the mile-and-a-half handicap. He carried only 7st 6lb and with the help of a saddle borrowed from Tommy Weston, he landed one of the biggest gambles of the season.
It was a typical Manchester foggy November day, with the 42 runners soon disappearing into the mist, coming back into view in the closing stages. Billy Nevett’s mount Redeswood swerved coming into the final furlong, leaving North Light to resist the challenges of Signifier and Pard and win by half a length.
It was a typical Manchester foggy November day, with the 42 runners soon disappearing into the mist, coming back into view in the closing stages. Billy Nevett’s mount Redeswood swerved coming into the final furlong, leaving North Light to resist the challenges of Signifier and Pard and win by half a length.
Charlie was only 17 at the time but, far from sparking off the teenager’s career, it was the catalyst for his fortunes to decline. He joined Newmarket trainer Colledge Leader, but was later beaten to a plum job with Colledge’s brother Ted by Eph Smith. He rode in pony races for three years at Northolt Park for trainer Bill Wightman.
Charlie was only 17 at the time but, far from sparking off the teenager’s career, it was the catalyst for his fortunes to decline. He joined Newmarket trainer Colledge Leader, but was later beaten to a plum job with Colledge’s brother Ted by Eph Smith. He rode in pony races for three years at Northolt Park for trainer Bill Wightman.
The army then intervened, in which Charlie did six years’ service, including four in Burma. When he swapped his uniform for jockey’s silks again, he found that he had put on too much weight to continue his career on the Flat.
The army then intervened, in which Charlie did six years’ service, including four in Burma. When he swapped his uniform for jockey’s silks again, he found that he had put on too much weight to continue his career on the Flat.
He joined jumps trainer Charlie Hall at Towton, near Wetherby, but spent some time on the sidelines after suffering a rupture. He decided then that it was time to call it a day on his riding career.
He joined jumps trainer Charlie Hall at Towton, near Wetherby, but spent some time on the sidelines after suffering a rupture. He decided then that it was time to call it a day on his riding career.
In 1981, the 50th anniversary of Charlie’s big race triumph, he was invited as a special guest of the Doncaster Racecourse executive for the November Handicap, by then being run on Town Moor, following the closure of Manchester’s Castle Irwell course in 1963.
In 1981, the 50th anniversary of Charlie’s big race triumph, he was invited as a special guest of the Doncaster Racecourse executive for the November Handicap, by then being run on Town Moor, following the closure of Manchester’s Castle Irwell course in 1963.
Charlie presented the jockey’s award to George Duffield, rider of that year’s winner, Lafontaine.
Charlie presented the jockey’s award to George Duffield, rider of that year’s winner, Lafontaine.
Charlie rarely went racing in later years, having become somewhat disillusioned with the sport, but he still had his scrapbook cuttings and his memories to remind him of his greatest day as a jockey. He died at Tadcaster in 1995, aged 81
Charlie rarely went racing in later years, having become somewhat disillusioned with the sport, but he still had his scrapbook cuttings and his memories to remind him of his greatest day as a jockey. He died at Tadcaster in 1995, aged 81
Charlie & North Drift (in black & white colours) winning the 1931 Manchester November Handicap.
Charlie & North Drift (in black & white colours) winning the 1931 Manchester November Handicap.
Charlie returns victoriously to the paddock
Charlie returns victoriously to the paddock