Stanley Gorst

Stanley Gorst

Article by Alan Trout

Born in 1903, Stanley Gorst failed to ride a winner as an apprentice on the Flat but won four races under National Hunt rules during the second half of the 1920s. He was denied a fifth win when disqualified after passing the post first at Monmouth. 

Associated with the stable of Vernon Casebourne, who was just winding down his career as a professional jump jockey, Stanley had his first ride when fourth of six runners in the Hackfall Apprentice Plate at Ripon on August 2, 1920. 

He rode on the Flat again the following year but had to wait until December 10, 1926 before he gained his first success when Fairy Priestess won the Elvaston Chase at Derby, beating Swift Maiden, the mount of Bill Gurney, by eight lengths. Trained by Robert Thompson, the 11-year-old had been ridden by Stanley in three of her previous outings without being placed. 

It was not until Easter Monday, April 18, 1927 at Cardiff that he had his second win. His mount, Zenon, finished second in the Easter Handicap Chase but the horse’s trainer, Robert Thompson, objected to the winner on grounds of ‘crossing’. First past the post East Africa, the 11-4 favourite partnered by Billy Parvin, was duly disqualified and Zenon awarded the race. 

Fairy Priestess won for Stanley again, this time at the Isle of Wight meeting on May 5, beating Fair Avis, ridden by Eric Foster to take the Teignbridge Handicap Chase by 15 lengths; and the mare followed that with victory in the Ely Handicap Chase at Cardiff on May 25 to give her jockey his fourth success. 

Nearly a year later he was still waiting for his first win of the season when heading out to ride Flame Dancer, the outsider of four, in the Ladies Plate Chase at Monmouth on May 9, 1928. His three rivals were the amateur-ridden Royal Wilts, and two experienced professionals in Jack Moloney on Herbert’s Choice and Fred Brookes on Shiva. Flame Dancer beat Royal Wilts by eight lengths with Shiva a distance away in third. However, Fred Brookes objected to the first two on grounds of taking the wrong course. His objection was upheld and both were disqualified. Both Stanley and Mr Broad, the rider of Royal Wilts, were reprimanded for their carelessness.

Later that month, Stanley had his final ride when unplaced on Kilmeague in the valuable Godfrey Long Handicap Chase at Wetherby on Whit Monday. May 28, 1928. 

Stanley Gorst’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Fairy Priestess, Derby, December 10, 1926

2. Zenon, Cardiff, April 18, 1927

3. Fairy Priestess, Isle of Wight, May 5, 1927

4. Fairy Priestess, Cardiff, May 27, 1927