Percy Gray
1891 - 1984
1891 - 1984
Not a lot is known about Percy William Gray who held a British Flat jockey's licence for the years 1914-15 and 1934-46.
Not a lot is known about Percy William Gray who held a British Flat jockey's licence for the years 1914-15 and 1934-46.
His name appears in the list of apprentices in the 1914 Sporting Chronicle Racing-up-to-Date form book as being apprenticed to Matt Peacock at Middleham.
His name appears in the list of apprentices in the 1914 Sporting Chronicle Racing-up-to-Date form book as being apprenticed to Matt Peacock at Middleham.
He is listed as weighing 7st 10lb (heavy for the time, when the average weight for apprentice jockeys varied between 5st 7lb and 7st). He's also listed in the 1915 edition (weighing 7st 8lb, so lost 2lb!).
He is listed as weighing 7st 10lb (heavy for the time, when the average weight for apprentice jockeys varied between 5st 7lb and 7st). He's also listed in the 1915 edition (weighing 7st 8lb, so lost 2lb!).
In the 1937 edition of Horses in Training (year picked at random) he's listed among the jockeys, weighing 7st 7lb and attached to H Peacock's stable at Richmond, Yorkshire.
In the 1937 edition of Horses in Training (year picked at random) he's listed among the jockeys, weighing 7st 7lb and attached to H Peacock's stable at Richmond, Yorkshire.
At Catterick's two-day meeting on April 2nd & 3rd 1937, he rode Coronation Girl in the Zetland (2yo) Plate on the Friday and Quilty in the Brough Hall Handicap on the Saturday (both unplaced).
At Catterick's two-day meeting on April 2nd & 3rd 1937, he rode Coronation Girl in the Zetland (2yo) Plate on the Friday and Quilty in the Brough Hall Handicap on the Saturday (both unplaced).
Though he met with some success in England, it was in Denmark and Sweden that he won quite a few top races, including the 1922 Danish Derby. His family are in possession of an inscribed cigarette case, probably a gift from a grateful owner.
Though he met with some success in England, it was in Denmark and Sweden that he won quite a few top races, including the 1922 Danish Derby. His family are in possession of an inscribed cigarette case, probably a gift from a grateful owner.
There is a plaque at a racecourse in Denmark - presumably at Klampenborg - honouring the jockey.
There is a plaque at a racecourse in Denmark - presumably at Klampenborg - honouring the jockey.
Three of his winners in England are listed below.
Three of his winners in England are listed below.
Tyne Handicap on Vieni Presto. Newcastle on 2 April 1934.
Tyne Handicap on Vieni Presto. Newcastle on 2 April 1934.
Kirkleatham Handicap on Sepphoris. Redcar on 1 June 1936
Kirkleatham Handicap on Sepphoris. Redcar on 1 June 1936
Fishergreen Two-Year-Old Plate on Scarlett Princess. Ripon on 3 August 1936.
Fishergreen Two-Year-Old Plate on Scarlett Princess. Ripon on 3 August 1936.
All three were trained by Harry Peacock at Middleham.
All three were trained by Harry Peacock at Middleham.