Godfrey Brightling

National Hunt jockey Godfrey George Brightling held a licence for just two seasons in the mid-1950s and rode three winners, all on the same horse, a three-mile chaser named Souffle Supreme. The first of those wins came at Wye on May 14, 1956, for King’s Lynn owner-trainer Alfred Skinner.

Charing, Kent trainer Chris Nesfield took over the training of Souffle Supreme the following season, although he was still owned by Mr Skinner. Godfrey won on him at Worcester and at Sandown in November 1956, but it all went quickly downhill from there. On their next start together, at Plumpton on December 5, Godfrey was unseated at the eighth fence after losing his irons. Two days later, they finished sixth of nine finishers at Lingfield. Godfrey never rode the horse again.

Later that same season, Souffle Supreme got up to force a dead-heat for first place in Worcester’s flagship race, the Worcester Royal Porcelain Chase. Leading amateur rider Bob McCreery rode him that day.

Godfrey Brightling’s career was short-lived. He finished third on a novice chaser named Bebe Flame at Folkestone’s United Hunts Meeting on April 29, 1957, but fell three out on her on their next outing, at Wye on May 13. That looks to have been the last ride of his career, hence it is possible that he was obliged to give up through injury.

Godfrey Brightling’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Souffle Supreme, Wye, May 14, 1956

2. Souffle Supreme, Worcester, November 10, 1956

3. Souffle Supreme, below, Sandown Park, November 23, 1956