Edward Cracknell

Edward Cracknell

Article by Alan Trout

In contrast to Australian jockey Edwin (Eddie) Cracknell who rode successfully in Britain during the 1950s and 60s, apprentice Edward Cracknell failed to register a victory in his sole season of race-riding during World War One. Although he did not manage to ride a winner during 1915, he did finish second twice, but did not return the following year.

He was apprenticed to former jockey Fred Lynham, whose stables were at Rottingdean, in Sussex. Edward’s first ride was an unplaced effort on an unnamed colt of Lynham’s in the Surrey Two-Year-Old Selling Plate at Lingfield Park on April 6, 1915.

It was at Newmarket on June 29 that he had his first placed effort when Sprint was beaten three-quarters of a length by Prepaid, ridden by Arthur Smith, in the Visitors’ Apprentice Handicap.

Edward came even closer to winning on what turned out to be his final ride, when his mount Happy Warrior was beaten a short head by Pennant in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Newmarket on October 12. Neither Edward or Ernest Coe, who ride Pennant, were in action again after that season, but at least the latter had the satisfaction of having ridden one winner.