Edward Benneyworth

Born on July 29, 1916, Edward Benneyworth was a Flat race jockey retained after World War Two by Newmarket trainer Squadron Leader Percy Allden at his Gondola Stables in Bury Road.

Apprenticed to Fred Pratt at Lambourn, young Edward had had his first ride in public on Fair Copy, owned by Mrs Percy Allden, finishing unplaced in the Egmont Selling Plate at Epsom on April 18, 1932.

He rode his first winner on May Law, trained by Fred Pratt, in the Apprentice Plate at Bath on August 22, 1934, carrying one pound overweight at 6st 1lb. It was his only success of the season. 

His second win came in the corresponding race at Bath 12 months later, on Wednesday, 21 August 1935, when he partnered 7-1 shot Caddle Combe, owned and trained by Fred Pratt and carrying 6st 8lb, to a six-length victory.

During World War Two, Edward spent over five years in the Army Catering Corps. and lived at 1, Nursery Cottage, Queen Street, Newmarket. After the war, his riding weight had risen to 7st 4 lb. He had one winner from 15 mounts in 1946, that being on Bold Atom, trained by Percy Allden, in a match for the City Selling Stakes at Chester on Tuesday, May 7, beating his sole opponent Ever So by 12 lengths. It was to be the final win of his career.

The best horse he rode was Esqumelling. Edward reflected that the highlight of his career had been when beating Gordon Richards by a short-head in the Birmingham Stakes.

Edward rode many winners in India and also in the Channel Islands.

He rode for the last time on June 9, 1952 when finishing last of eight on 20-1 shot Emperor’s Dance in the Castle Rock Three-Year-Old Selling Plate at Nottingham. 

Edward Benneyworth died in 1996.