Charlie Gaston
1935 - 2021
1935 - 2021
Charles Bell Gaston served his apprenticeship with Fred Armstrong from 1951 - 1957.
Charles Bell Gaston served his apprenticeship with Fred Armstrong from 1951 - 1957.
Born on 1 September 1935, he lived at 32, Warren Road, Red Lodge, Freckenham, Suffolk, and, on Wednesday, 27 October 1954, rode Minstrel to victory in the Cambridgeshire.
Born on 1 September 1935, he lived at 32, Warren Road, Red Lodge, Freckenham, Suffolk, and, on Wednesday, 27 October 1954, rode Minstrel to victory in the Cambridgeshire.
Starting at 66/1, Charlie won by a neck from Queen's Beeches with Marshall Ney a length away in third.
Starting at 66/1, Charlie won by a neck from Queen's Beeches with Marshall Ney a length away in third.
Rain had fallen overnight making the going perfect. A great crowd turned up, but those who came by road from London had a difficult trip. An unsupervised automatic stop-and-go signal at road works caused the first two-mile queue of traffic.
Rain had fallen overnight making the going perfect. A great crowd turned up, but those who came by road from London had a difficult trip. An unsupervised automatic stop-and-go signal at road works caused the first two-mile queue of traffic.
Then, beside the Heath, a collision between a tanker and a lorry produced another three-mile tailback.
Then, beside the Heath, a collision between a tanker and a lorry produced another three-mile tailback.
Approaching the Bushes, Charlie & Minstrel, drawn 14, led the group on the stands side. Turk's Blood was well in front going into the Dip: suddenly his stamina gave out and Manny Mercer, on Queen's Beeches, caught him, but before the filly reached the post, Charlie put in a determined last effort under the stands rails, giving Minstrel victory.
Approaching the Bushes, Charlie & Minstrel, drawn 14, led the group on the stands side. Turk's Blood was well in front going into the Dip: suddenly his stamina gave out and Manny Mercer, on Queen's Beeches, caught him, but before the filly reached the post, Charlie put in a determined last effort under the stands rails, giving Minstrel victory.
This was the ninth winner for 19-year-old Charlie, who once delivered milk at Clydeside.
This was the ninth winner for 19-year-old Charlie, who once delivered milk at Clydeside.
A greater triumph came on Tuesday, 12 July 1955, when - still a 5 lb claiming apprentice - he forced Wildnor up on the line to win the Ascot Stakes by a neck from Bill Rickaby on Prescription. Perhaps Wildnor, carrying 6 st. 10 lb., was a lucky winner: entering the straight, Prescription was trapped behind horses and had to be checked and taken to the outside well inside the final furlong.
A greater triumph came on Tuesday, 12 July 1955, when - still a 5 lb claiming apprentice - he forced Wildnor up on the line to win the Ascot Stakes by a neck from Bill Rickaby on Prescription. Perhaps Wildnor, carrying 6 st. 10 lb., was a lucky winner: entering the straight, Prescription was trapped behind horses and had to be checked and taken to the outside well inside the final furlong.
He went under by a neck to Wildnor with Romney Legend - who would have been better suited by softer ground - a head away third. Little Cloud was half a length behind in fourth and would surely have been the winner had he not received a 10 lb. penalty for his win in the Northumberland Plate.
He went under by a neck to Wildnor with Romney Legend - who would have been better suited by softer ground - a head away third. Little Cloud was half a length behind in fourth and would surely have been the winner had he not received a 10 lb. penalty for his win in the Northumberland Plate.
The close finish called attention once more to Mr Geoffrey Freer's accurate handicapping.
The close finish called attention once more to Mr Geoffrey Freer's accurate handicapping.
Wildnor had previously won two hurdle races, at Towcester & Chepstow.
Wildnor had previously won two hurdle races, at Towcester & Chepstow.
The sun, this particular afternoon, shone without a break and the heat was quite unforgiving. In the paddock, the lime trees were dropping their scent on the warm air and for once the temperature brought out the full colour of the wonderful meeting.
The sun, this particular afternoon, shone without a break and the heat was quite unforgiving. In the paddock, the lime trees were dropping their scent on the warm air and for once the temperature brought out the full colour of the wonderful meeting.
There was no royal procession, the Queen arriving by car through the Queen's Gates, which had recently been installed at the back of the Royal Ascot enclosure. (This was the last Ascot without a royal procession.)
There was no royal procession, the Queen arriving by car through the Queen's Gates, which had recently been installed at the back of the Royal Ascot enclosure. (This was the last Ascot without a royal procession.)
That season (1955) Charlie rode 13 winners from 306 rides (4.24%).
That season (1955) Charlie rode 13 winners from 306 rides (4.24%).
Charlie rode extensively abroad, winning in India, Mauritius & Sweden. From November 1963 until April 1969, he rode over 200 winners in Pakistan.
Charlie rode extensively abroad, winning in India, Mauritius & Sweden. From November 1963 until April 1969, he rode over 200 winners in Pakistan.
He resumed riding in Britain and rode one more winner, Lord Gayle for Sam Armstrong at Teesside Park (Stockton) on May 23, 1970, before hanging up his boots and saddle in 1973.
He resumed riding in Britain and rode one more winner, Lord Gayle for Sam Armstrong at Teesside Park (Stockton) on May 23, 1970, before hanging up his boots and saddle in 1973.
He later worked for Michael Stoute, during which time he was usually known as 'Jock' Gaston. He was Zilzal's lad during that great miler's only season, 1981.
He later worked for Michael Stoute, during which time he was usually known as 'Jock' Gaston. He was Zilzal's lad during that great miler's only season, 1981.
His interests away from the racecourse included fishing & boxing.
His interests away from the racecourse included fishing & boxing.
Charlie Gaston died on 28 December 2021, aged 86. His funeral took place on 12 January 2022.
Charlie Gaston died on 28 December 2021, aged 86. His funeral took place on 12 January 2022.
Big winners
Big winners
1955: Winston Churchill Stakes – Wildnor
1955: Winston Churchill Stakes – Wildnor
1955: Ascot Stakes – Wildnor
1955: Ascot Stakes – Wildnor
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