Ken Cooper

Ken Cooper was killed when The Kernal fell in a hurdle race at Southwell on October 11, 1948.

The son of a trainer, he was born on October 16, 1927. A top apprentice, he had been riding since the age of 14 and won on his very first ride, Blue White, at Manchester, on November 1, 1941.

He rode his first winner over jumps on Star Song in a Wetherby novices’ hurdle on March 17, 1945, winning on him again over course and distance two weeks later.

Ken rode several winners during the 1947/48 campaign, including back-to-back victories on Salmon Port at Haydock and Nottingham. His last win of that season was on novice hurdler Thyme at Bangor-on-Dee on April 24, 1948.

He was just beginning to make a name for himself when his life was tragically cut short later that year, five days before his 21st birthday. He died intestate, leaving £338.