Ben Gillett
Ben Gillett
Ben Gillett
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Benjamin John Robert Gillett held a National Hunt jockey’s licence for three seasons in the mid-1950s and rode two winners, both in the spring of 1955.
Benjamin John Robert Gillett held a National Hunt jockey’s licence for three seasons in the mid-1950s and rode two winners, both in the spring of 1955.
His first success came on the six-year-old Mazarh in the Preston Handicap Hurdle at Warwick on March 12, 1955. Mazarh had only managed one second-place finish in eleven previous starts and was not able to build on that Warwick success. Ben had one further ride on the gelding, finishing second at Nottingham five days later, but was then replaced by Derek Weeden.
His first success came on the six-year-old Mazarh in the Preston Handicap Hurdle at Warwick on March 12, 1955. Mazarh had only managed one second-place finish in eleven previous starts and was not able to build on that Warwick success. Ben had one further ride on the gelding, finishing second at Nottingham five days later, but was then replaced by Derek Weeden.
Ben’s second win was fortunate, for at Wincanton on Easter Monday, April 11, he finished second on Golden Harvest in the Abloom Selling Handicap Hurdle, but the winning jockey, top amateur rider Bob McCreery, forgot to weigh in and was disqualified. What made it more embarrassing for the unfortunate Mr McCreery was that his father, General Dick McCreery, was one of the stewards that day, although he stood aside for the enquiry.
Ben’s second win was fortunate, for at Wincanton on Easter Monday, April 11, he finished second on Golden Harvest in the Abloom Selling Handicap Hurdle, but the winning jockey, top amateur rider Bob McCreery, forgot to weigh in and was disqualified. What made it more embarrassing for the unfortunate Mr McCreery was that his father, General Dick McCreery, was one of the stewards that day, although he stood aside for the enquiry.
Ben was having his first ride on Golden Harvest, who had managed just one third place in five previous outings, and he never rode the horse again. In fact, he only had a total of six mounts all that season. He relinquished his licence during the 1956/57 season.
Ben was having his first ride on Golden Harvest, who had managed just one third place in five previous outings, and he never rode the horse again. In fact, he only had a total of six mounts all that season. He relinquished his licence during the 1956/57 season.
Ben Gillett's first win: Mazrah at Warwick, March 12 1955
Ben Gillett's first win: Mazrah at Warwick, March 12 1955
Ben's second winner; Golden Harvest, Easter Monday, April 11, 1955
Ben's second winner; Golden Harvest, Easter Monday, April 11, 1955