Charles Graham
Charles Graham
Charles Graham
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born in 1875, Charles Graham was a National Hunt jockey from Ireland who made occasional forays to England between 1903 and 1911. They usually resulted in one victory a year, except for a productive period in 1907 which saw him win nine races in a two-month period, including three doubles.
Born in 1875, Charles Graham was a National Hunt jockey from Ireland who made occasional forays to England between 1903 and 1911. They usually resulted in one victory a year, except for a productive period in 1907 which saw him win nine races in a two-month period, including three doubles.
Altogether, he had 16 wins in Britain, the first of these coming on December 30, 1903, when Warlock won the December Handicap Chase at Keele Park, the only occasion on which he rode the eight-year-old. One victory followed in 1904, following which there was a three-year gap before his most successful period. This included four wins at Wetherby’s two-day Easter meeting and a double at Brocklesby Hunt, although one of those wins was a walkover.
Altogether, he had 16 wins in Britain, the first of these coming on December 30, 1903, when Warlock won the December Handicap Chase at Keele Park, the only occasion on which he rode the eight-year-old. One victory followed in 1904, following which there was a three-year gap before his most successful period. This included four wins at Wetherby’s two-day Easter meeting and a double at Brocklesby Hunt, although one of those wins was a walkover.
He also had a ride in the 1907 Grand National aboard the Irish-trained Bouchal Ogue, who he had ridden to victory at Haydock Park just six days earlier. They were prominent when being brought down at the Canal Turn. On their next outing they finished sixth in the Scottish Grand National at Bogside. Charles had one more attempt at the Liverpool fences when partnering Jack Spratt in that year’s Grand Sefton Chase in November but was again among the fallers.
He also had a ride in the 1907 Grand National aboard the Irish-trained Bouchal Ogue, who he had ridden to victory at Haydock Park just six days earlier. They were prominent when being brought down at the Canal Turn. On their next outing they finished sixth in the Scottish Grand National at Bogside. Charles had one more attempt at the Liverpool fences when partnering Jack Spratt in that year’s Grand Sefton Chase in November but was again among the fallers.
Charles won the last race of the final meeting ever held at the South Wold Hunt at Louth, on Thursday, April 1, 1909, when 5-4 on favourite More Scotch beat two rivals to take the two-mile Kiddington Chase. The four-year-old was the only one to have a clear round, although George Lyall remounted Nugget IV to claim second prize.
Charles won the last race of the final meeting ever held at the South Wold Hunt at Louth, on Thursday, April 1, 1909, when 5-4 on favourite More Scotch beat two rivals to take the two-mile Kiddington Chase. The four-year-old was the only one to have a clear round, although George Lyall remounted Nugget IV to claim second prize.
The first steeplechase at Louth took place in 1836, the result of a decision to hold a private match. Both participants subsequently agreed to throw the race open to horses of equal merit. Despite the short notice given, a field of seven runners was assembled. Among the riders taking part was William Loft, best known as the rider of Cure-All, the 1845 Grand National winner.
The first steeplechase at Louth took place in 1836, the result of a decision to hold a private match. Both participants subsequently agreed to throw the race open to horses of equal merit. Despite the short notice given, a field of seven runners was assembled. Among the riders taking part was William Loft, best known as the rider of Cure-All, the 1845 Grand National winner.
In 1838, the annual meeting was called the Louth and South Wold Steeplechases, a name it would retain for 70 years. The fixture alternated between Horncastle and Louth from the 1870s, but in the 1880s the organisers opted for a change of venue, choosing a course at Brackenborough, about a mile from Louth railway station. From 1892 there were two separate meetings, one under the name of ‘South Wold Hunt’ at Horncastle in March, the other simply called ‘Louth Hunt’ at Louth in April. The Horncastle course was used for the last time in 1903. From then on, the fixture was held only at Louth.
In 1838, the annual meeting was called the Louth and South Wold Steeplechases, a name it would retain for 70 years. The fixture alternated between Horncastle and Louth from the 1870s, but in the 1880s the organisers opted for a change of venue, choosing a course at Brackenborough, about a mile from Louth railway station. From 1892 there were two separate meetings, one under the name of ‘South Wold Hunt’ at Horncastle in March, the other simply called ‘Louth Hunt’ at Louth in April. The Horncastle course was used for the last time in 1903. From then on, the fixture was held only at Louth.
Charles’s last win came courtesy of a horse named Uncle, who took the Elmdon Selling Handicap Hurdle at Birmingham on March 14, 1911, winning by a head. It was the gelding’s first run under National Hunt rules. He had his final ride in England when a faller on Fortunate Robert in the Open Selling Hurdle at Newbury on February 24, 1912.
Charles’s last win came courtesy of a horse named Uncle, who took the Elmdon Selling Handicap Hurdle at Birmingham on March 14, 1911, winning by a head. It was the gelding’s first run under National Hunt rules. He had his final ride in England when a faller on Fortunate Robert in the Open Selling Hurdle at Newbury on February 24, 1912.
Charles Graham’s winners were, in chronological order:
Charles Graham’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Warlock, Keele Park, December 30, 1903
1. Warlock, Keele Park, December 30, 1903
2. Murlingden, Haydock Park, March 18, 1904
2. Murlingden, Haydock Park, March 18, 1904
3. Lothians King, Chelmsford, March 5, 1907
3. Lothians King, Chelmsford, March 5, 1907
4. Bouchal Ogue, Haydock Park, March 16, 1907
4. Bouchal Ogue, Haydock Park, March 16, 1907
5. St Monica, Wetherby, April 1, 1907
5. St Monica, Wetherby, April 1, 1907
6. Dark Saint, Wetherby, April 1, 1907
6. Dark Saint, Wetherby, April 1, 1907
7. Dark Saint, Wetherby, April 2, 1907
7. Dark Saint, Wetherby, April 2, 1907
8. St Monica, Wetherby, April 2, 1907
8. St Monica, Wetherby, April 2, 1907
9. Potterdale, Brocklesby Hunt, April 17, 1907 (walkover)
9. Potterdale, Brocklesby Hunt, April 17, 1907 (walkover)
10. Dark Saint, Brocklesby Hunt, April 17, 1907
10. Dark Saint, Brocklesby Hunt, April 17, 1907
11. Nigger Joe, Doncaster, May 7, 1907
11. Nigger Joe, Doncaster, May 7, 1907
12. Paymaster, Sandown Park, October 26, 1907
12. Paymaster, Sandown Park, October 26, 1907
13. Gaylad IV, Wetherby, April 23, 1908
13. Gaylad IV, Wetherby, April 23, 1908
14. More Scotch, South Wold Hunt (Louth), April 1, 1909
14. More Scotch, South Wold Hunt (Louth), April 1, 1909
15. The Murragh, Hooton Park, December 26, 1910
15. The Murragh, Hooton Park, December 26, 1910
16. Uncle, Birmingham, March 14, 1911
16. Uncle, Birmingham, March 14, 1911
Warlock, Keele Park, December 30, 1903, was Charles Graham's first winner. Telegraphic arrangements broke down on the course during the afternoon, causing great inconvenience.
Warlock, Keele Park, December 30, 1903, was Charles Graham's first winner. Telegraphic arrangements broke down on the course during the afternoon, causing great inconvenience.
Uncle was Charles Graham's final winner, which caused a mild surprise by beating five opponents after an absence from the racecourse of nearly five years. Uncle was retained at 115 guineas. The day's racing was marred by a serious accident to Hugh Jackson, who was taken to hospital after suffering from a fractured skull and other injuries when falling from Night Star in the Selling Steeplechase.