Henri Jellis
1891 - 1971
1891 - 1971
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Henri Albert Jelliss was born in Mons, Belgium, on November 23, 1891, where his father, Charles, was champion jockey 13 times. Henri served a full and thorough apprenticeship with Tom Jennings Junior, and under such wholesome tutelage, it was little wonder that he became so polished a rider.
Henri Albert Jelliss was born in Mons, Belgium, on November 23, 1891, where his father, Charles, was champion jockey 13 times. Henri served a full and thorough apprenticeship with Tom Jennings Junior, and under such wholesome tutelage, it was little wonder that he became so polished a rider.
He sprang before the public eye in the summer of 1910 when, weighing just six stone, he rode 39 winners.
He sprang before the public eye in the summer of 1910 when, weighing just six stone, he rode 39 winners.
His first winner was Beriberi in an apprentice race at Warwick on April 6 1908.
His first winner was Beriberi in an apprentice race at Warwick on April 6 1908.
Holding his own against such seasoned professionals as Frank Wootton and Danny Maher, Henri cemented his potential with a fine win on The Valet in the following year’s Manchester November Handicap, landing a massive gamble for his stable in the process - November 26 1910.
Holding his own against such seasoned professionals as Frank Wootton and Danny Maher, Henri cemented his potential with a fine win on The Valet in the following year’s Manchester November Handicap, landing a massive gamble for his stable in the process - November 26 1910.
Having won the Cambridgeshire on Long Set in 1911, Henri had to wait ten years for the other half of the Aurumn Double, when he won the Cesarewitch of 1921 on Yutoi.
The story of the 1911 Cambridgeshire is one of redemption for the horse and a masterstroke of betting for his owner, Solly Joel. Long Set had been bred in France and was originally considered a failure. In fact, he had been sold out of the stable of the famous trainer Batho earlier in the year for a modest sum, only for Solly Joel to buy him back and return him to Batho’s care.
Heading into the Cambridgeshire, Long Set was overlooked by the public, starting at long odds of 33/1. The race was run in the traditional "autumnal gloom" of Newmarket. Long Set, carrying a relatively light weight of 6st 12lb (approx. 43.5kg), showed an incredible burst of speed in the final two furlongs.
He stayed on strongly up the Rowley Mile to defeat the heavily-fancied Mustapha (who finished second in the race for the third year in a row—a tragic record in its own right).
On November 25 1913, Henri acted as Best Man at the wedding of fellow jockey Albert Whalley - St Mary's Church, Swaffham, Cambridgeshire.
Henri's first winner, Beriberi, (named after the vitamin deficiency disease, a common practice of naming horses after medical or scientific terms at the time),
Henri again landing a major betting coup when partnering Long Set to win the 1911 Cambridgeshire for Mr S.B. Joel. October 25 1911.
Henri again landing a major betting coup when partnering Long Set to win the 1911 Cambridgeshire for Mr S.B. Joel. October 25 1911.
September 1926
June 7 1929. Henri wins his first classic
The 1929 Oaks is remembered for the exceptional temperament of the winner. En route to the start, the filly reared and threw Henri. In an era where loose horses often caused chaos at the start, Pennycomequick famously stood perfectly still, waiting for him to recover and remount.
Despite the pre-race scare, she dominated the field of 13 runners. After turning into the straight, she surged clear of Golden Silence to secure Lord Astor’s third victory in the race. This win solidified her sire, Hurry On, as one of the most influential stallions of the early 20th century.
June 7 1935. Henri wins his third classic
Quashed was considered the "stable second string" and started as a massive outsider at 33/1. Despite her long odds, she engaged in a desperate, lung-bursting duel with the favorite, Ankaret, and the French challenger, Mesa. Under a powerful ride from Jelliss, Quashed put her head down at the post to win by a short head.
The winner's mother, Verdict, was technically considered "half-bred" by the rigid standards of the time, meaning Quashed was initially excluded from the General Stud Book. Her victory in the Oaks (and her later historic defeat of the American Triple Crown winner Omaha in the 1936 Ascot Gold Cup) eventually forced the racing authorities to rethink their rules on pedigree eligibility.
Doncaster September 7 1927. Henri wins his final classic.
Before 1927, Lord Astor had become famously (and frustratingly) associated with second-place finishes in the Classics. Book Law herself had continued this trend earlier in the year, finishing a narrow second in both the 1,000 Guineas and The Oaks.
However, at Doncaster on September 7, she and Henri Jelliss finally broke the streak. Starting as the 7/4 favorite, Book Law proved her superior stamina over the 1 mile, 6 furlongs, and 132 yards trip. Henrirode a patient race, keeping her in a prominent position before she surged clear to win comfortably.
This win was historically significant as it marked the final St Leger winner for the legendary "Wizard of Manton," trainer Alec Taylor Jr., before his retirement, and it firmly established Jelliss as a top-tier Classic jockey.
Henri in 1936, his last season as a jockey
Friday September 21 1934. Henri wins the Ayr Gold Cup
Due to his weight, Henri’s opportunities were limited and, in 1936, he retired, but not before he had won the 1934 Ayr Gold Cup on Figaro and, the following season, both the Nunthorpe and Portland Handicap on the speedy Shalfleet. The next year he won the Portland for a second time: it was to be his last big winner as a jockey.
Due to his weight, Henri’s opportunities were limited and, in 1936, he retired, but not before he had won the 1934 Ayr Gold Cup on Figaro and, the following season, both the Nunthorpe and Portland Handicap on the speedy Shalfleet. The next year he won the Portland for a second time: it was to be his last big winner as a jockey.
Using the stables of his father-in-law George Blackwell at Beverley House, Newmarket, Henri set up as trainer and included Lord Willoughby de Broke and Sir William Cooke - for whom, after the war, he would train a classic winner - among his patrons.
Using the stables of his father-in-law George Blackwell at Beverley House, Newmarket, Henri set up as trainer and included Lord Willoughby de Broke and Sir William Cooke - for whom, after the war, he would train a classic winner - among his patrons.
Trainer Henri Jellis in 1946
The first runner he sent out from his yard was the Bill Rickaby-ridden Paladin, who won the Chaplin Plate at Lincoln on the second day of the season. Two years later he achieved a notable success when America, ridden by R.A.Jones won Royal Ascot’s Wokingham Stakes.
The first runner he sent out from his yard was the Bill Rickaby-ridden Paladin, who won the Chaplin Plate at Lincoln on the second day of the season. Two years later he achieved a notable success when America, ridden by R.A.Jones won Royal Ascot’s Wokingham Stakes.
Henri continued training with modest success until the end of 1961 when Guitarist won for him at Newmarket, signalling the end of his career.
Henri continued training with modest success until the end of 1961 when Guitarist won for him at Newmarket, signalling the end of his career.
In his retirement, he turned to golf and gardening to fill the hours. He was also a keen motorist.
In his retirement, he turned to golf and gardening to fill the hours. He was also a keen motorist.
Henri Jellis died on January 16 1971.
Henri Jellis died on January 16 1971.
Henri Jelliss’ classic wins:
Henri Jelliss’ classic wins:
The Oaks: Pennycomequick (1929) and Quashed (1935)
The Oaks: Pennycomequick (1929) and Quashed (1935)
St Leger: Book Law (1927)
St Leger: Book Law (1927)
He rode over hurdles finishing unplaced on his first ride, Little by Little, at Leicester on January 26, 1915.
He rode over hurdles finishing unplaced on his first ride, Little by Little, at Leicester on January 26, 1915.
His son, Charles Henri (1916 - 1982) also became a jockey and rode his first winner, Ole King Cole, at Yarmouth on May 18, 1932.
His son, Charles Henri (1916 - 1982) also became a jockey and rode his first winner, Ole King Cole, at Yarmouth on May 18, 1932.
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