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1879 - 1958
1879 - 1958
One highlight of the 1895 flat racing season was the degree of excellence shown by several of the younger generation of jockeys and no one’s star shone brighter than that of Herbert Grimshaw, the precocious son of ‘Jemmy’ Grimshaw, one of the most brilliant riders of his day. His many victories that autumn culminated with a stunning success on Ivor in the Manchester November H’cap.
One highlight of the 1895 flat racing season was the degree of excellence shown by several of the younger generation of jockeys and no one’s star shone brighter than that of Herbert Grimshaw, the precocious son of ‘Jemmy’ Grimshaw, one of the most brilliant riders of his day. His many victories that autumn culminated with a stunning success on Ivor in the Manchester November H’cap.
Born at Pressburg, Austria on March 20th 1879, Herbert Robert Grimshaw became apprenticed to T. Jennings and rode his first winner, Sacristy, at Hurst Park in August 1894. Grimshaw beat the favourite, Madam Neruda, on an outsider, the filly Sacristy: from then on he was quickly in demand. He took the Manchester Midland Counties Handicap on Easter Gilt and won the Liverpool Autumn Cup on The Rush. He showed tremendous confidence and determination beyond his years.
Born at Pressburg, Austria on March 20th 1879, Herbert Robert Grimshaw became apprenticed to T. Jennings and rode his first winner, Sacristy, at Hurst Park in August 1894. Grimshaw beat the favourite, Madam Neruda, on an outsider, the filly Sacristy: from then on he was quickly in demand. He took the Manchester Midland Counties Handicap on Easter Gilt and won the Liverpool Autumn Cup on The Rush. He showed tremendous confidence and determination beyond his years.
An angelic looker, he nonetheless riled many with an inappropriate exuberance, and his rising star fell as quickly as it had risen. He turned to a long life of crime – at 34, already a hardened criminal, he appeared in court charged with the theft of 1,000 pearls worth £40,000 – a vast sum at the time. The jewels were contained in a leather bag carried by Mr Fritz L. Goldschmidt, a Parisian broker in precious stones. Grimshaw snatched the bag from Mr Goldschmidt’s hands as he was entering the café lavatory. Grimshaw, who had been convicted on three other occasions, was eventually caught and sentenced to three years’ penal servitude.
An angelic looker, he nonetheless riled many with an inappropriate exuberance, and his rising star fell as quickly as it had risen. He turned to a long life of crime – at 34, already a hardened criminal, he appeared in court charged with the theft of 1,000 pearls worth £40,000 – a vast sum at the time. The jewels were contained in a leather bag carried by Mr Fritz L. Goldschmidt, a Parisian broker in precious stones. Grimshaw snatched the bag from Mr Goldschmidt’s hands as he was entering the café lavatory. Grimshaw, who had been convicted on three other occasions, was eventually caught and sentenced to three years’ penal servitude.
But the story didn’t finish there. Incredibly, at the age of 78, he appeared at the London Sessions on a charge of receiving stolen goods. The Judge recorded Grimshaw’s twenty-third conviction. With tears in his eyes, Grimshaw said “I suppose I must have spent £100,000 on gambling.” He continued “I gave up riding in 1914 after getting in trouble. I’ve been trying to go straight ever since.”
But the story didn’t finish there. Incredibly, at the age of 78, he appeared at the London Sessions on a charge of receiving stolen goods. The Judge recorded Grimshaw’s twenty-third conviction. With tears in his eyes, Grimshaw said “I suppose I must have spent £100,000 on gambling.” He continued “I gave up riding in 1914 after getting in trouble. I’ve been trying to go straight ever since.”
Grimshaw was sent home, smiling and free – having been given one last chance by the Judge.
Grimshaw was sent home, smiling and free – having been given one last chance by the Judge.
He died in 1958, aged 79.
He died in 1958, aged 79.
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