Ernest Coe

Article by Alan Trout

Ernest Coe rode for three seasons as an apprentice on the Flat and had one win. 

He was apprenticed initially to Herbert Metcalfe at Newmarket and had his first ride in public for him at Kempton Park on August 13, 1913, when finishing unplaced on Jeroboam in the Vauxhall Selling Plate, having been badly away at the start. The race was won by Bill Saxby on 6-1 chance Light Charge. 

Before the start of the 1914 season Ernest’s indentures were transferred to former champion jockey Frank Wootton, who had just started his training career from stables based in Epsom. This might explain why he was not seen in action until the last week of the season, when he finished unplaced on Guiscard, owned by Frank Wootton’s father Richard, in the Durham Handicap at Hurst Park on November 21. 

Ernest finally rode a winner at Newmarket on October 12, 1915 when, in a tight finish to the Apprentices’ Handicap, his mount Pennant prevailed by a short head from Happy Warrior, with Clever Dick a neck away in third. 

Just three days later, Ernest Coe had his final ride at the same course when unplaced on Towyn in the Mile Selling Handicap, won by Vic Smyth on Leven Bridge. As with his first ride in public, Ernest lost all chance when his mount was badly left at the start.