Edward Gardner
Ted Gardner
Ted Gardner
1895 - 1982
1895 - 1982
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When Steve Donoghue switched to being a freelance jockey in 1921, it became vital for Lord Derby and his trainer, the Hon. George Lambton, to seek a suitable replacement. The stable was then one of the three most powerful in the country and the prestigious position could not be filled lightly. The name that sprang to Lambton’s mind was the unassuming Edward (Ted) Gardner – the son of a Tattersalls bookmaker – who readily accepted his offer.
When Steve Donoghue switched to being a freelance jockey in 1921, it became vital for Lord Derby and his trainer, the Hon. George Lambton, to seek a suitable replacement. The stable was then one of the three most powerful in the country and the prestigious position could not be filled lightly. The name that sprang to Lambton’s mind was the unassuming Edward (Ted) Gardner – the son of a Tattersalls bookmaker – who readily accepted his offer.
Edward Victor Gardner, always known as Ted, was born in Reading on October 9, 1895. He had been riding since he was sixteen and had made a perfect start to his career by winning on his debut ride at Newmarket aboard 100-8 chance Coral on Tuesday, April 16, 1912. Coral had been trained by H. J. Hallick, who had taught Ted (and other apprentices) how to ride. Ted then promptly won on his next two mounts – few apprentices kick off with a winning treble. When Hallick died, Ted’s indentures were transferred to Frank Barling at Newmarket.
Edward Victor Gardner, always known as Ted, was born in Reading on October 9, 1895. He had been riding since he was sixteen and had made a perfect start to his career by winning on his debut ride at Newmarket aboard 100-8 chance Coral on Tuesday, April 16, 1912. Coral had been trained by H. J. Hallick, who had taught Ted (and other apprentices) how to ride. Ted then promptly won on his next two mounts – few apprentices kick off with a winning treble. When Hallick died, Ted’s indentures were transferred to Frank Barling at Newmarket.
His first major win come on Friday, June 19, 1914, when driving the 100-7 shot Mount William up to snatch a half-length victory in the Wokingham Stakes at Ascot. He won the 1916 Lincolnshire Handicap on Clap Gate, then from 1916-18 he served in the Motor Transport Division during the First World War.
His first major win come on Friday, June 19, 1914, when driving the 100-7 shot Mount William up to snatch a half-length victory in the Wokingham Stakes at Ascot. He won the 1916 Lincolnshire Handicap on Clap Gate, then from 1916-18 he served in the Motor Transport Division during the First World War.
Ted had only been regarded as being a top flight pilot for the previous couple of seasons when offered the post of Lord Derby’s retained jockey. That position enabled him to gain his two greatest successes, on Pogrom in the 1922 Oaks and Tranquil in the 1923 1,000 Guineas. He also recorded his best season in 1922 with 67 winners.
Ted had only been regarded as being a top flight pilot for the previous couple of seasons when offered the post of Lord Derby’s retained jockey. That position enabled him to gain his two greatest successes, on Pogrom in the 1922 Oaks and Tranquil in the 1923 1,000 Guineas. He also recorded his best season in 1922 with 67 winners.
He was expected to win the 1923 Derby on Pharos, thought to be ideally suited to the Epsom switchback. Turning into the straight from Tattenham Corner, there were only two in it – Pharos and Steve Donoghue’s mount Papyrus. Ted got Pharos to the front for a stride or two, but then Donoghue, riding one of his strongest finishes, drove Papyrus forward to win by three-quarters of a length.
He was expected to win the 1923 Derby on Pharos, thought to be ideally suited to the Epsom switchback. Turning into the straight from Tattenham Corner, there were only two in it – Pharos and Steve Donoghue’s mount Papyrus. Ted got Pharos to the front for a stride or two, but then Donoghue, riding one of his strongest finishes, drove Papyrus forward to win by three-quarters of a length.
For reasons best known to himself, Ted immediately asked to be released from his retainer, a request that was granted. He then turned freelance. On September 21 that year he rode Dumas when that horse was one of three dead-heaters, the other two being Marvex and Dinkie, in the Royal Borough Handicap at Windsor, that being the last occasion (to date) in which a British Flat race resulted in a triple dead-heat. He subsequently rode Marvex to win the 1924 Ebor Handicap.
For reasons best known to himself, Ted immediately asked to be released from his retainer, a request that was granted. He then turned freelance. On September 21 that year he rode Dumas when that horse was one of three dead-heaters, the other two being Marvex and Dinkie, in the Royal Borough Handicap at Windsor, that being the last occasion (to date) in which a British Flat race resulted in a triple dead-heat. He subsequently rode Marvex to win the 1924 Ebor Handicap.
During the first part of the 1930s he was based mainly in Ireland, where he won the 1935 Irish 1,000 Guineas and Irish Oaks on Smokeless, and the Irish St Leger twice on Hill Song (1932) and Battle Song (1936). He was Ireland’s champion jockey in 1936.
During the first part of the 1930s he was based mainly in Ireland, where he won the 1935 Irish 1,000 Guineas and Irish Oaks on Smokeless, and the Irish St Leger twice on Hill Song (1932) and Battle Song (1936). He was Ireland’s champion jockey in 1936.
Eventually he retired to Wiltshire and pursued his hobbies of golf and lawn tennis.
Eventually he retired to Wiltshire and pursued his hobbies of golf and lawn tennis.
Ted Gardner died in Savernake Hospital in Marlborough on August 2, 1982, aged 86.
Ted Gardner died in Savernake Hospital in Marlborough on August 2, 1982, aged 86.
His son, Victor, also became a jockey while another son, James, became an actor. James died in 2010, aged 85.
His son, Victor, also became a jockey while another son, James, became an actor. James died in 2010, aged 85.
British Classic winners:
British Classic winners:
1922 Oaks (Pogrom)
1922 Oaks (Pogrom)
1923 1,000 Guineas (Tranquil)
1923 1,000 Guineas (Tranquil)
Irish Classic winners:
Irish Classic winners:
1932 Irish St Leger (Hill Song)
1932 Irish St Leger (Hill Song)
1935 Irish 1,000 Guineas (Smokeless)
1935 Irish 1,000 Guineas (Smokeless)
1935 Irish Oaks (Smokeless)
1935 Irish Oaks (Smokeless)
1936 Irish St Leger (Battle Song)
1936 Irish St Leger (Battle Song)
Other major wins:
Other major wins:
1914: Wokingham – Mount William
1914: Wokingham – Mount William
1916: Lincolnshire – Clap Gate
1916: Lincolnshire – Clap Gate
1922: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Selene
1922: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Selene
1923: Victoria Cup – Top Gallant
1923: Victoria Cup – Top Gallant
1924: Ebor Handicap – Marvex
1924: Ebor Handicap – Marvex
