Ernest Acres

(1874 - 1949)

The son of a farmer, Ernest 'Snowy' Acres was born at Hunsdon, Hertfordshire, on January 14th 1874, and was apprenticed at Newmarket.

He became a successful jumps jockey and rode in four Grand Nationals.

He won Liverpool's Champion Chase on Moriarty on Saturday, March 30th  1895, and, on March 22nd 1901, rode four winners at Haydock.

He went on to ride a total of 214 winners. His best season came in 1900 with 32.

Snowy retired in 1913 and lived in Birmingham for about 40 years.

He worked for B.S.A. in Small Heath, Birmingham.

He was 75 when he died at Belgrave Road, Birmingham on September 18th 1949.

His jockey brother, Sullins Acres, died at Chelmsford on January 9th 1961, aged 84.

On September 7th 1945, Ernest and his wife - living at 56, Belgrave Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham - celebrated their golden wedding.

In August 1909, Ernest - then 35 years of age and the recent licensee of the Organ Inn, Ewell - was found guilty of receiving a quantity of wines and spirits from Stephen Manikiza, aged 19.

Ernest was sentenced to three months in the second division (a kind of open prison) whilst Manikiza received six months' hard labour.

Biggest win:

1895:  Champion Chase - Moriarty