Eric Knight

Eric Knight

Article by Alan Trout

National Hunt jockey Eric Knight rode seven winners within the space of a year in the mid-1920s, including an Easter Monday treble at Torquay. 

He had his first ride on Glanville, unplaced in the Elmley Novices’ Hurdle at Pershore on May 7, 1923. However, it was not until November 16, 1925, that he tasted success when Cashlie, the 2-1 favourite, won the Coddington Selling Handicap Chase at Colwall Park, beating Sir Eyre, partnered by the competent amateur rider Kenyon Goode, by three-quarters of a length.

Two more wins followed in December, and at Torquay on Easter Monday, April 5, 1936, Eric recorded a treble, landing the Torquay Selling Handicap Hurdle on Cashlie, the Ladies’ Handicap Hurdle on Clarobie, and the Watcombe Hurdle on Sound Asleep. All three winners were trained by Upminster-based George de Winton, who completed a four-timer of his own for the day, as he also saddled the winner of the West of England Handicap Chase, 2-1 favourite Apple Pie, ridden by Harold Jepson. 

However, apart from a win on Bedeguar in the Marlow Three-Year-Old Optional Selling Hurdle at Hawthorn Hill on November 23, 1926, Eric had no further success. His last ride was when finishing third on Comether in the Wincanton Handicap Hurdle at that course on Easter Monday, April 18, 1927, just twelve months after his Torquay treble. 

Eric Knight’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Cashlie, Colwall Park, November 16, 1925

2. Rocking Horse, Newbury, December 3, 1925

3. Fourposter, Windsor, December 9, 1925

4. Cashlie, Torquay, April 5, 1926 

5. Clarobie, Torquay, April 5, 1926

6. Sound Asleep, Torquay, April 5, 1926

7. Bedeguar, Hawthorn Hill, November 13, 1926