Leslie Cordell

Leslie Cordell, a promising young jockey, was apprenticed to Stanley Wootton at Epsom and quickly established himself as a keen and conscientious rider. He was just 14 when he rode his first winner, Adage, in the Apprentices’ Plate at Epsom on April 21, 1926.

In 1928, he became joint-champion apprentice with George Baines, both jockeys having ridden 33 winners. Leslie's wins included the Prince Edward Handicap at Manchester and the Newbury Autumn Cup, both on Troubadour. The following year he won the Derby Cup on Sir Joshua.  

He went to France in 1930 and rode as first jockey to leading owner Monsieur Edward Esmond. He met with an accident whilst playing football and was out of the saddle for a long time. 

Although much better known as a Flat jockey, rising weight meant that Leslie did have a few mounts over jumps and rode one winner. That came at Kempton Park on December 3, 1936, when he steered the three-year-old Kota to victory in the Barnes Selling Hurdle. The winner was owned and trained by Stanley Wootton.

Despite the switch to National Hunt racing, Leslie fought a losing battle with the scales which eventually forced him to retire.

His last ride was at Hurst Park on January 14, 1937, when he partnered Kota, the 13-8 favourite, into third place in the Berrylands Selling Hurdle, a race won by Davy Jones on Noverton Lane.

He was taken ill in the early part of July 1937, and, on Monday, July 21, he collapsed and was rushed to hospital in Epsom.

Leslie Cordell died the next day from meningitis. He was 25.