Henri Jelliss
1891 - 1971
1891 - 1971
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 at Newmarket on April 6 1908.
His first winner was Beriberi in an apprentice race at Warwick at Newmarket 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.
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.
Henri continued his progress the next season, again landing a major betting coup when partnering Long Set to win the Cambridgeshire for Mr S.B. Joel.
Henri continued his progress the next season, again landing a major betting coup when partnering Long Set to win the Cambridgeshire for Mr S.B. Joel.
He secured his first classic when Pennycomequick obliged in the 1929 Oaks: two others were to come his way including a memorable ride aboard Quashed which saw a brilliant ride from Henri cumulating in a brilliant short head victory on what was the stable’s second string.
He secured his first classic when Pennycomequick obliged in the 1929 Oaks: two others were to come his way including a memorable ride aboard Quashed which saw a brilliant ride from Henri cumulating in a brilliant short head victory on what was the stable’s second string.
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.
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.
Jelliss continued training with modest success until the end of 1961 when Guitarist won for him at Newmarket, signalling the end of his career.
Jelliss continued training with modest success until the end of 1961 when Guitarist won for him at Newmarket, signalling the end of his career.
Aged 79, Henri died on January 16, 1971.
Aged 79, Henri died on January 16, 1971.
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 was best man at the wedding of fellow jockey Arthur Whalley.
Henri was best man at the wedding of fellow jockey Arthur Whalley.
Like Henri, jockeys Freddie Fox, Bobbie Dick and Johnny Dines all retired at the end of the 1936 season.
Like Henri, jockeys Freddie Fox, Bobbie Dick and Johnny Dines all retired at the end of the 1936 season.
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.
On 25 September, 1926, whilst driving, he killed two women. He was exonerated on 7 October, 1926 (accidental death).
On 25 September, 1926, whilst driving, he killed two women. He was exonerated on 7 October, 1926 (accidental death).
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.