Charles Higham
Charles Higham
Charles Higham
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Charles Higham rode six winners over jumps in the early 20th century. His first success came when Abbeywood, the 8-1 outsider of five, won the County Hurdle by half a length at Warwick on February 25, 1903, beating The General, ridden by Percy Woodland, who became champion jockey that year. They struck again on April 15 when taking the Tarporley Handicap Chase at that Cheshire venue’s annual fixture by a length.
Charles Higham rode six winners over jumps in the early 20th century. His first success came when Abbeywood, the 8-1 outsider of five, won the County Hurdle by half a length at Warwick on February 25, 1903, beating The General, ridden by Percy Woodland, who became champion jockey that year. They struck again on April 15 when taking the Tarporley Handicap Chase at that Cheshire venue’s annual fixture by a length.
There were two second places after that, but Charles had to wait until March 8 of the following year for further success. This came at Leicester where Wiedersehen was a comfortable eight-length winner of the Blaby Selling Handicap Chase. Just six days later he added another when Red Hand won the Spondon Selling Chase at Derby. As the six-year-old was sold at the post-race auction, Charles had no further chances to ride him. He had one more opportunity on Wiedersehen, finishing third, before he too was sold.
There were two second places after that, but Charles had to wait until March 8 of the following year for further success. This came at Leicester where Wiedersehen was a comfortable eight-length winner of the Blaby Selling Handicap Chase. Just six days later he added another when Red Hand won the Spondon Selling Chase at Derby. As the six-year-old was sold at the post-race auction, Charles had no further chances to ride him. He had one more opportunity on Wiedersehen, finishing third, before he too was sold.
His final win of the year came at Bridgnorth on April 19, when Octroi won the Tradesmen’s Selling Hurdle by a head from Edie Violet, the mount of amateur rider Norman Cuthbertson. The four-year-old had shown little for Charles in four previous runs and was sent to Holland after his victory.
His final win of the year came at Bridgnorth on April 19, when Octroi won the Tradesmen’s Selling Hurdle by a head from Edie Violet, the mount of amateur rider Norman Cuthbertson. The four-year-old had shown little for Charles in four previous runs and was sent to Holland after his victory.
Success on Gayboy in the Cromwell Selling Handicap Hurdle at Manchester on Easter Monday 1905 was the last time Charles visited the winner’s enclosure. Again, his mount had shown little in previous outings, but now won by eight lengths, possibly helped by the odds-on favourite Ardandra breaking down. Once again, though, his winner changed stables at the post-race auction.
Success on Gayboy in the Cromwell Selling Handicap Hurdle at Manchester on Easter Monday 1905 was the last time Charles visited the winner’s enclosure. Again, his mount had shown little in previous outings, but now won by eight lengths, possibly helped by the odds-on favourite Ardandra breaking down. Once again, though, his winner changed stables at the post-race auction.
Charles had no further success, although he continued to have the occasional mount under both codes. He had his last ride on the Flat in 1908, and his last over jumps in 1910 when Miss Grigg, owned by Mr R. S. Grigg, finished fifth of six runners in the Ashford Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Wye on January 4, 1910.
Charles had no further success, although he continued to have the occasional mount under both codes. He had his last ride on the Flat in 1908, and his last over jumps in 1910 when Miss Grigg, owned by Mr R. S. Grigg, finished fifth of six runners in the Ashford Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Wye on January 4, 1910.
Charles Higham’s winners were, in chronological order:
Charles Higham’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Abbeywood, Warwick, February 25, 1903
1. Abbeywood, Warwick, February 25, 1903
2. Abbeywood, Tarporley Hunt, April 15, 1903
2. Abbeywood, Tarporley Hunt, April 15, 1903
3. Wiedersehen, Leicester, March 8, 1904
3. Wiedersehen, Leicester, March 8, 1904
4. Red Hand, Derby, March 14, 1904
4. Red Hand, Derby, March 14, 1904
5. Octroi, Bridgnorth, April 19, 1904
5. Octroi, Bridgnorth, April 19, 1904
6. Gayboy, Manchester, April 24, 1905
6. Gayboy, Manchester, April 24, 1905
Charles Higham's first winner: Abbeywood at Warwick
Charles Higham's first winner: Abbeywood at Warwick