Milton Henry
Milton Henry
Milton Henry
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born in America circa 1882, Milton Henry was one of the leading jockeys in France for many years. He often crossed the Channel to ride in England, and won the only English Classic of his career during his first stay. Although his total number of British winners was only six, he rode in many of the big races, including perhaps the most infamous Derby of all.
Born in America circa 1882, Milton Henry was one of the leading jockeys in France for many years. He often crossed the Channel to ride in England, and won the only English Classic of his career during his first stay. Although his total number of British winners was only six, he rode in many of the big races, including perhaps the most infamous Derby of all.
Milton was already beginning to make a name for himself in France when he first came to ride at Epsom in 1901. His first mount was Farceur, who finished unplaced in the Wallington Plate on Tuesday, June 4, the opening day of the Derby meeting. His ride on 25-1 chance Olympian in the Derby itself was equally unsuccessful.
Milton was already beginning to make a name for himself in France when he first came to ride at Epsom in 1901. His first mount was Farceur, who finished unplaced in the Wallington Plate on Tuesday, June 4, the opening day of the Derby meeting. His ride on 25-1 chance Olympian in the Derby itself was equally unsuccessful.
By the time he came to ride the 9-4 favourite Cap And Bells II in the Oaks on Friday 7, his score was four rides, none placed. However, Cap And Bells II proved far too good for the rest of the field, winning by six lengths and becoming the first American-bred filly to triumph in the Epsom Classic.
By the time he came to ride the 9-4 favourite Cap And Bells II in the Oaks on Friday 7, his score was four rides, none placed. However, Cap And Bells II proved far too good for the rest of the field, winning by six lengths and becoming the first American-bred filly to triumph in the Epsom Classic.
Milton stayed until the end of July, winning four more races. His second win came at Kempton Park the day after his Oaks victory, when Mountain Buck won the Windsor Castle Selling Handicap, but he suffered a reverse later in the afternoon when his mount Scottish Archer was disqualified from first place for ‘bumping and boring’ in the St Margaret’s Two-Year-Old Selling Plate.
Milton stayed until the end of July, winning four more races. His second win came at Kempton Park the day after his Oaks victory, when Mountain Buck won the Windsor Castle Selling Handicap, but he suffered a reverse later in the afternoon when his mount Scottish Archer was disqualified from first place for ‘bumping and boring’ in the St Margaret’s Two-Year-Old Selling Plate.
His third win came at Royal Ascot, when Olympian partly made up for his Derby failure by winning the New Biennial Stakes. At Sandown on July 19 he rode Virginia Earle to win the Surbiton Handicap. In the previous race that afternoon he had finished a close third in the Eclipse Stakes, beaten two heads by Epsom Lad, ridden by Santiago Gomez, and Ian, the mount of ‘Skeets’ Martin.
His third win came at Royal Ascot, when Olympian partly made up for his Derby failure by winning the New Biennial Stakes. At Sandown on July 19 he rode Virginia Earle to win the Surbiton Handicap. In the previous race that afternoon he had finished a close third in the Eclipse Stakes, beaten two heads by Epsom Lad, ridden by Santiago Gomez, and Ian, the mount of ‘Skeets’ Martin.
Milton returned most summers during the early years of the 20th century, although his only other British victory came at Sandown Park on June 28, 1907 when Syphon won the New Stand Handicap.
Milton returned most summers during the early years of the 20th century, although his only other British victory came at Sandown Park on June 28, 1907 when Syphon won the New Stand Handicap.
He rode in the Derby five times, achieving his best position when placed fourth (promoted from fifth) on Nimbus in the notorious 1913 race. Impeded early in the race when going well, Nimbus again suffered interference when the King’s horse Anmer was brought down at Tattenham Corner, and was then among the unlucky ones in the closing stages when the scrimmaging took place which led to the first past the post, Craganour, being disqualified.
He rode in the Derby five times, achieving his best position when placed fourth (promoted from fifth) on Nimbus in the notorious 1913 race. Impeded early in the race when going well, Nimbus again suffered interference when the King’s horse Anmer was brought down at Tattenham Corner, and was then among the unlucky ones in the closing stages when the scrimmaging took place which led to the first past the post, Craganour, being disqualified.
Milton’s last ride in England was at Sandown Park on July 16, 1920 when Insensible finished sixth of seven behind Buchan in the Eclipse Stakes.
Milton’s last ride in England was at Sandown Park on July 16, 1920 when Insensible finished sixth of seven behind Buchan in the Eclipse Stakes.
In France his big race tally had included the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby), the Grand Prix de Paris and a host of other triumphs. When he retired in the mid-1920s, he and his wife concentrated on their celebrated bar in Paris, known popularly as ‘Milton Henry’s Place’.
In France his big race tally had included the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby), the Grand Prix de Paris and a host of other triumphs. When he retired in the mid-1920s, he and his wife concentrated on their celebrated bar in Paris, known popularly as ‘Milton Henry’s Place’.
Milton Henry’s British winners were, in chronological order:
Milton Henry’s British winners were, in chronological order:
1. Cap And Bells II, Epsom, June 7, 1901
1. Cap And Bells II, Epsom, June 7, 1901
2. Mountain Buck, Kempton Park, June 8, 1901
2. Mountain Buck, Kempton Park, June 8, 1901
3. Olympian, Ascot, June 20, 1901
3. Olympian, Ascot, June 20, 1901
4. Angel Court, Nottingham, July 8, 1901
4. Angel Court, Nottingham, July 8, 1901
5. Virginia Earle, Sandown Park, July 19, 1901
5. Virginia Earle, Sandown Park, July 19, 1901
6. Syphon, Sandown Park, June 28, 1907
6. Syphon, Sandown Park, June 28, 1907
