Walter Griggs
1888 – 1933
1888 – 1933
The son of a Canterbury butcher (and small-time bookmaker) Griggs, along with his brother William, was apprenticed (at the age of thirteen) to Newmarket trainer Robert Sherwood. His first winner was Gamaliel in an apprentice race at Gatwick on May 20, 1905.
The son of a Canterbury butcher (and small-time bookmaker) Griggs, along with his brother William, was apprenticed (at the age of thirteen) to Newmarket trainer Robert Sherwood. His first winner was Gamaliel in an apprentice race at Gatwick on May 20, 1905.
Born in Gillingham, Kent, on October 13, 1888, he became first jockey to Mr Jack Joel, enjoying great success when winning the St. James’s Palace Stakes at Ascot, the 1908 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown , the St. George’s Stakes at Liverpool and the St Leger, all on the same horse, Your Majesty.
Born in Gillingham, Kent, on October 13, 1888, he became first jockey to Mr Jack Joel, enjoying great success when winning the St. James’s Palace Stakes at Ascot, the 1908 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown , the St. George’s Stakes at Liverpool and the St Leger, all on the same horse, Your Majesty.
The Griggs brothers were popular jockeys during the first quarter of the century: Walter undoubtedly was the more successful of the two. In 1914, Black Jester gave him a second St. Leger win and, in 1909, he rode Dean Swift to victory in the 1909 Coronation Cup. He also took the 1915 substitute Oaks aboard Snow Marten. He was the rider of My Prince, just a moderately successful horse on the flat but the sire of four Grand National winners (one won twice).
The Griggs brothers were popular jockeys during the first quarter of the century: Walter undoubtedly was the more successful of the two. In 1914, Black Jester gave him a second St. Leger win and, in 1909, he rode Dean Swift to victory in the 1909 Coronation Cup. He also took the 1915 substitute Oaks aboard Snow Marten. He was the rider of My Prince, just a moderately successful horse on the flat but the sire of four Grand National winners (one won twice).
Relative to a discussion as to which English jockey had won the most prize-money, a Sporting Life contributor credited Griggs with that honour. ‘It is the ten-thousand pounders which count,’ he wrote. ‘Walter Griggs has won two ten-thousand-pounders, won two St Legers and the big two-year-old race at Sandown of the value of £5,000, to say nothing of races innumerable worth practically the same money. Walter Griggs, in short, has won races the value of which, roughly, have amounted to £70,000, and it is doubtful whether any jockey, not even excluding Maher and Stern, has beaten this. It is, at any rate, a matter for argument.’
Relative to a discussion as to which English jockey had won the most prize-money, a Sporting Life contributor credited Griggs with that honour. ‘It is the ten-thousand pounders which count,’ he wrote. ‘Walter Griggs has won two ten-thousand-pounders, won two St Legers and the big two-year-old race at Sandown of the value of £5,000, to say nothing of races innumerable worth practically the same money. Walter Griggs, in short, has won races the value of which, roughly, have amounted to £70,000, and it is doubtful whether any jockey, not even excluding Maher and Stern, has beaten this. It is, at any rate, a matter for argument.’
Griggs relinquished about £2,000 a year in riding fees in order to enlist as a private in the Royal Navy Air Service where, later, he was given a commission.
Griggs relinquished about £2,000 a year in riding fees in order to enlist as a private in the Royal Navy Air Service where, later, he was given a commission.
After the war, Griggs – having trouble with his weight – retired as a jockey and began training at Exeter House, Newmarket. He became an expert in having horses fit for the early part of the season.
After the war, Griggs – having trouble with his weight – retired as a jockey and began training at Exeter House, Newmarket. He became an expert in having horses fit for the early part of the season.
His two nephews, Fred and Willie Rickaby, had lost their father as babies – he was killed while serving in the Royal Tank Corps in France in 1918 – and, after finishing at prep school, they were apprenticed to their Uncle and guardian Walter and were still apprenticed to him at the time of his death. The honest and hard-working Griggs was a genial and amusing man – no one enjoyed a party more than he. A week before his death he was the cheerful guest of the annual Polo Dance at Newmarket.
His two nephews, Fred and Willie Rickaby, had lost their father as babies – he was killed while serving in the Royal Tank Corps in France in 1918 – and, after finishing at prep school, they were apprenticed to their Uncle and guardian Walter and were still apprenticed to him at the time of his death. The honest and hard-working Griggs was a genial and amusing man – no one enjoyed a party more than he. A week before his death he was the cheerful guest of the annual Polo Dance at Newmarket.
Walter Griggs suffered a fatal heart attack on Sunday March 19th 1933. He had been taken ill about 9 o’clock the previous evening. He was 44 years old. His funeral was held at St Agnes’s Church, Newmarket. Fellow jockeys Joe Childs, Fred Lane and Harry Wragg attended.
Walter Griggs suffered a fatal heart attack on Sunday March 19th 1933. He had been taken ill about 9 o’clock the previous evening. He was 44 years old. His funeral was held at St Agnes’s Church, Newmarket. Fellow jockeys Joe Childs, Fred Lane and Harry Wragg attended.
He left £12,537
He left £12,537
Exeter House stables were bought from Mrs Walter Giggs by Mr J.U.Gaskell who subsequently trained from there for a number of years.
Exeter House stables were bought from Mrs Walter Giggs by Mr J.U.Gaskell who subsequently trained from there for a number of years.
Your Majesty, 100/8 winner of the 1908 Eclipse run on Friday, July 17th, was soundly booed – as was Walter Griggs, his jockey – such was the unexpectedness of their win.
Your Majesty, 100/8 winner of the 1908 Eclipse run on Friday, July 17th, was soundly booed – as was Walter Griggs, his jockey – such was the unexpectedness of their win.
Walter once had money stolen from his bedroom while sleeping in a Liverpool hotel.
Walter once had money stolen from his bedroom while sleeping in a Liverpool hotel.
On 4th October 1909, eight runners assembled at the start for the Nottingham Handicap. They included the Walter Griggs-ridden Shuletoi and Bushranger, ridden by Madden. Both horses went temporarily mad. Shuletoi started it, Bushranger retaliated. The two horses stood up on their hind legs and fought each other like wild animals. Then Shuletoi went for Bushranger’s jockey and tore the hapless Madden from the saddle. Walter leaped for his life and escaped without injury. Neither jockey had let go of the bridle, and the horses were eventually pulled apart.
On 4th October 1909, eight runners assembled at the start for the Nottingham Handicap. They included the Walter Griggs-ridden Shuletoi and Bushranger, ridden by Madden. Both horses went temporarily mad. Shuletoi started it, Bushranger retaliated. The two horses stood up on their hind legs and fought each other like wild animals. Then Shuletoi went for Bushranger’s jockey and tore the hapless Madden from the saddle. Walter leaped for his life and escaped without injury. Neither jockey had let go of the bridle, and the horses were eventually pulled apart.
Walter had a passion for skating and was an expert both on the ice and rollers.
Walter had a passion for skating and was an expert both on the ice and rollers.
Walter’s nephew Fred was an instant success as a jockey, riding his first winner on Fifty-50 at Newmarket in 1930. He was aged just thirteen and then apprenticed to his uncle, William.
Walter’s nephew Fred was an instant success as a jockey, riding his first winner on Fifty-50 at Newmarket in 1930. He was aged just thirteen and then apprenticed to his uncle, William.
Walter was married on 17th December 1913 at St Agnes Church, Newmarket to Miss Florence Rickaby, eldest daughter of Frederick Rickaby. After his death, Florence remarried, becoming the wife of Fred Lane, the jockey, who had ridden the previous year’s Derby winner, April the Fifth. The wedding took place just before Christmas 1933. Mrs Griggs was the sister of Fred Rickaby, the Stanley House Jockey, who died on active service during the war. She was also the aunt of jockeys Fred and William Rickaby,
Walter was married on 17th December 1913 at St Agnes Church, Newmarket to Miss Florence Rickaby, eldest daughter of Frederick Rickaby. After his death, Florence remarried, becoming the wife of Fred Lane, the jockey, who had ridden the previous year’s Derby winner, April the Fifth. The wedding took place just before Christmas 1933. Mrs Griggs was the sister of Fred Rickaby, the Stanley House Jockey, who died on active service during the war. She was also the aunt of jockeys Fred and William Rickaby,
