Edward Lawn
Edward Lawn
Edward Lawn
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Although far better known as a National Hunt jockey, Edward Lawn did have some success on the Flat in England, riding seven winners at the start of the 20th century before embarking on a career over jumps.
Although far better known as a National Hunt jockey, Edward Lawn did have some success on the Flat in England, riding seven winners at the start of the 20th century before embarking on a career over jumps.
Born around 1885, he was apprenticed to William Thornton (c1867-1947) who had just started training after a successful career as a National Hunt jockey, which included winning the 1893 Scottish Grand National.
Born around 1885, he was apprenticed to William Thornton (c1867-1947) who had just started training after a successful career as a National Hunt jockey, which included winning the 1893 Scottish Grand National.
Edward’s first ride was at Thirsk on May 3, 1900 when Suezala finished unplaced in the Hambleton Plate won by veteran jockey Jim Fagan on Electric Current.
Edward’s first ride was at Thirsk on May 3, 1900 when Suezala finished unplaced in the Hambleton Plate won by veteran jockey Jim Fagan on Electric Current.
Progress was slow but he made a promising start to the 1902 campaign when beaten only a head on Overbury in the Apprentices’ Handicap at York on May 27. Then came his first success, Suezath, a two-length winner the Welton Plate at Beverley on June 12. The three-year-old won twice more for Edward before the end of the season, and he recorded four victories in all.
Progress was slow but he made a promising start to the 1902 campaign when beaten only a head on Overbury in the Apprentices’ Handicap at York on May 27. Then came his first success, Suezath, a two-length winner the Welton Plate at Beverley on June 12. The three-year-old won twice more for Edward before the end of the season, and he recorded four victories in all.
He finished his apprenticeship before the start of the 1903 season and so rode as a fully licensed professional. Suezath provided him with both his wins that year. His final winner on the Flat in England came at Worcester on October 14, 1904 when Hillwood, carrying 9st 9lb, won the All-Aged Selling Plate by a neck.
He finished his apprenticeship before the start of the 1903 season and so rode as a fully licensed professional. Suezath provided him with both his wins that year. His final winner on the Flat in England came at Worcester on October 14, 1904 when Hillwood, carrying 9st 9lb, won the All-Aged Selling Plate by a neck.
Edward had by then taken out a licence for the 1904 National Hunt season, but as on the Flat, it took some time to ride his first winner over jumps. When it did come, it was a special occasion, not only for the young jockey but also for Newbury Racecourse.
Edward had by then taken out a licence for the 1904 National Hunt season, but as on the Flat, it took some time to ride his first winner over jumps. When it did come, it was a special occasion, not only for the young jockey but also for Newbury Racecourse.
On October 30, 1906, Edward won the first steeplechase ever held at the Berkshire course on the six-year-old Eremon, the winning margin being eight lengths. The combination then had their first attempt at the Liverpool fences in the Grand Sefton on November 8, but Eremon ran out when well behind. Soon afterwards, Edward lost the ride. A new jockey, Alf Newey, won twice on the Tom Coulthwaite-trained gelding before heading to Liverpool for the 1907 Grand National.
On October 30, 1906, Edward won the first steeplechase ever held at the Berkshire course on the six-year-old Eremon, the winning margin being eight lengths. The combination then had their first attempt at the Liverpool fences in the Grand Sefton on November 8, but Eremon ran out when well behind. Soon afterwards, Edward lost the ride. A new jockey, Alf Newey, won twice on the Tom Coulthwaite-trained gelding before heading to Liverpool for the 1907 Grand National.
Despite having only had that one win over jumps, Edward had a mount in that 1907 Grand National, called The Foreman. However, The Foreman had not run for eleven months, and one third place effort from six starts was all that had been achieved in 1906. The Foreman fell at the 13th fence, while Eremon, despite Alf Newey’s stirrup leather having broken at the 18th fence, went on to record a famous victory.
Despite having only had that one win over jumps, Edward had a mount in that 1907 Grand National, called The Foreman. However, The Foreman had not run for eleven months, and one third place effort from six starts was all that had been achieved in 1906. The Foreman fell at the 13th fence, while Eremon, despite Alf Newey’s stirrup leather having broken at the 18th fence, went on to record a famous victory.
Edward rode three winners in 1908 but, again, had no luck over the Aintree fences. Goodson, his mount in the Stanley Chase on March 26, was a faller, and in the Grand Sefton on November 5 he pulled up. His mount on the latter occasion was the seven-year-old Jenkinstown, who went on to win the 1910 Grand National, ridden by Bob Chadwick.
Edward rode three winners in 1908 but, again, had no luck over the Aintree fences. Goodson, his mount in the Stanley Chase on March 26, was a faller, and in the Grand Sefton on November 5 he pulled up. His mount on the latter occasion was the seven-year-old Jenkinstown, who went on to win the 1910 Grand National, ridden by Bob Chadwick.
So, although Edward failed to finish a race around the Aintree fences in five attempts, he did ride two Grand National winners over them.
So, although Edward failed to finish a race around the Aintree fences in five attempts, he did ride two Grand National winners over them.
Edward had only one win in both 1909 and 1910, but 1912 brought victories at Haydock on successive days. The first of those was 13-year-old Seisdon Prince, who won the March Handicap Chase by a head on March 22. The following day Super Tax won the St Helens Maiden Chase.
Edward had only one win in both 1909 and 1910, but 1912 brought victories at Haydock on successive days. The first of those was 13-year-old Seisdon Prince, who won the March Handicap Chase by a head on March 22. The following day Super Tax won the St Helens Maiden Chase.
Six days later, March 29, Edward had his second ride in the Grand National when Great Cross lined up alongside 23 others for the big race. Having his fourth race in the space of 34 days, Great Cross fell at the fourth fence. Last of three finishers in the Newton Handicap Chase just six days earlier, Great Cross had been in the news at Cheltenham earlier that month when winning the National Hunt Handicap Chase. The Stewards had called in his trainer, Tom Coulthwaite, and asked him to explain the horse’s running in that race compared to his previous outing when unplaced in the Grand National Trial Chase at Newbury on February 23. Having heard the evidence, the stewards “considered the case open to the gravest suspicion, and severely cautioned Mr. Coulthwaite as to his future conduct”.
Six days later, March 29, Edward had his second ride in the Grand National when Great Cross lined up alongside 23 others for the big race. Having his fourth race in the space of 34 days, Great Cross fell at the fourth fence. Last of three finishers in the Newton Handicap Chase just six days earlier, Great Cross had been in the news at Cheltenham earlier that month when winning the National Hunt Handicap Chase. The Stewards had called in his trainer, Tom Coulthwaite, and asked him to explain the horse’s running in that race compared to his previous outing when unplaced in the Grand National Trial Chase at Newbury on February 23. Having heard the evidence, the stewards “considered the case open to the gravest suspicion, and severely cautioned Mr. Coulthwaite as to his future conduct”.
Edward spent much of the following years in Ireland. He finished second on 10-1 chance Punch in the 1913 Irish Grand National. They were beaten fair and square by Little Hack II, who was winning the race for the second time, having previously scored four years earlier.
Edward spent much of the following years in Ireland. He finished second on 10-1 chance Punch in the 1913 Irish Grand National. They were beaten fair and square by Little Hack II, who was winning the race for the second time, having previously scored four years earlier.
It was not until the last month of 1920 that Edward found himself back in an English winner’s enclosure. The eight-year hiatus ended at Kempton Park on December 4 when Southampton, trained by Bob Gore at Findon, came home an easy six-length winner of the Richmond Chase.
It was not until the last month of 1920 that Edward found himself back in an English winner’s enclosure. The eight-year hiatus ended at Kempton Park on December 4 when Southampton, trained by Bob Gore at Findon, came home an easy six-length winner of the Richmond Chase.
That was followed by a Sandown double seven days later, with Craganock winning the Oxshott Selling Handicap Hurdle and Impressioner landing the Park Handicap Chase. Then, two days before Christmas, Southampton followed up his Kempton victory by winning the Lonsdale Chase at Hurst Patk.
That was followed by a Sandown double seven days later, with Craganock winning the Oxshott Selling Handicap Hurdle and Impressioner landing the Park Handicap Chase. Then, two days before Christmas, Southampton followed up his Kempton victory by winning the Lonsdale Chase at Hurst Patk.
The early months of 1921 were even more lucrative, resulting in eight winners by the middle of March, including a double at Birmingham on January 8, and two more wins on both Southampton and Impressioner.
The early months of 1921 were even more lucrative, resulting in eight winners by the middle of March, including a double at Birmingham on January 8, and two more wins on both Southampton and Impressioner.
Royal Truce was Edward’s ninth and final win of 1921 when winning at Wolverhampton’s Christmas meeting. That same horse then became Edward’s first winner of 1922 when scoring at Newbury in January.
Royal Truce was Edward’s ninth and final win of 1921 when winning at Wolverhampton’s Christmas meeting. That same horse then became Edward’s first winner of 1922 when scoring at Newbury in January.
He gained his next win in unusual circumstances at Uttoxeter on Monday, April 3, 1922, when there was a dead-heat for the Marston Selling Hurdle between Edward on Regicles and Robert Clark on General Reede. There was a deciding run-off between the pair, for which Clark was replaced by the vastly more experienced Frank Wootton. However, General Reed broke down, leaving Regicles to come home alone.
He gained his next win in unusual circumstances at Uttoxeter on Monday, April 3, 1922, when there was a dead-heat for the Marston Selling Hurdle between Edward on Regicles and Robert Clark on General Reede. There was a deciding run-off between the pair, for which Clark was replaced by the vastly more experienced Frank Wootton. However, General Reed broke down, leaving Regicles to come home alone.
The following day, the second of the two-day Uttoxeter fixture, Edward registered a double, winning the Burslem Selling Handicap Chase on Royal Truce and the Tean Handicap Hurdle on Clarkia.
The following day, the second of the two-day Uttoxeter fixture, Edward registered a double, winning the Burslem Selling Handicap Chase on Royal Truce and the Tean Handicap Hurdle on Clarkia.
Edward’s last win came at Southwell on Easter Saturday, April 15, 1922, when Tally-Ho won the Newark Handicap Chase.
Edward’s last win came at Southwell on Easter Saturday, April 15, 1922, when Tally-Ho won the Newark Handicap Chase.
Edward Lawn’s Flat winners were, in chronological order:
Edward Lawn’s Flat winners were, in chronological order:
1. Suezath, Beverely, June 12, 1902
1. Suezath, Beverely, June 12, 1902
2. Suezath, Redcar, August 15, 1902
2. Suezath, Redcar, August 15, 1902
3. Maccoon, Haydock Park, October 10, 1902
3. Maccoon, Haydock Park, October 10, 1902
4. Suezath, Thirsk, October 24, 1902
4. Suezath, Thirsk, October 24, 1902
5. Suezath, Catterick Bridge, April 16, 1903
5. Suezath, Catterick Bridge, April 16, 1903
6. Suezath, Ripon, May 8, 1903
6. Suezath, Ripon, May 8, 1903
7. Hillwood, Worcester, October 14, 1904
7. Hillwood, Worcester, October 14, 1904
His British National Hunt winners were, in chronological order:
His British National Hunt winners were, in chronological order:
1. Eremon, Newbury, October 30, 1906
1. Eremon, Newbury, October 30, 1906
2. Goodson, Haydock Park, March 20, 1908
2. Goodson, Haydock Park, March 20, 1908
3. Sweet Nelly, Southwell, April 13, 1908
3. Sweet Nelly, Southwell, April 13, 1908
4. King Furze II, Torquay, April 21, 1908
4. King Furze II, Torquay, April 21, 1908
5. Noyau, Hexham, May 5, 1909
5. Noyau, Hexham, May 5, 1909
6. Piff, Manchester, March 29, 1910
6. Piff, Manchester, March 29, 1910
7. Seisdon Prince, Haydock Park, March 22, 1912
7. Seisdon Prince, Haydock Park, March 22, 1912
8. Super Tax, Haydock Park, March 23, 1912
8. Super Tax, Haydock Park, March 23, 1912
9. Southampton, Kempton Park, December 4, 1920
9. Southampton, Kempton Park, December 4, 1920
10. Craganock, Sandown Park, December 11, 1930
10. Craganock, Sandown Park, December 11, 1930
11. Impressioner, Sandown Park, December 11, 1920
11. Impressioner, Sandown Park, December 11, 1920
12. Southampton, Hurst Park, December 23, 1920
12. Southampton, Hurst Park, December 23, 1920
13. Impressioner, Gatwick, January 5, 1921
13. Impressioner, Gatwick, January 5, 1921
14. Golden Daisy, Birmingham, January 8, 1921
14. Golden Daisy, Birmingham, January 8, 1921
15. Lady Noggs, Birmingham, January 8, 1921
15. Lady Noggs, Birmingham, January 8, 1921
16. Galroy, Kempton Park, January 28, 1921
16. Galroy, Kempton Park, January 28, 1921
17. Southampton, Sandown Park, February 8, 1921
17. Southampton, Sandown Park, February 8, 1921
18. Impressioner, Gatwick, February 19, 1921
18. Impressioner, Gatwick, February 19, 1921
19. Mayhap, Lingfield Park, February 25, 1921
19. Mayhap, Lingfield Park, February 25, 1921
20. Southampton, Sandown Park, March 10, 1921
20. Southampton, Sandown Park, March 10, 1921
21. Royal Truce, Wolverhampton, December 27, 1921
21. Royal Truce, Wolverhampton, December 27, 1921
22. Royal Truce, Newbury, January 19, 1922
22. Royal Truce, Newbury, January 19, 1922
23. Regicles, Uttoxeter, April 3, 1922
23. Regicles, Uttoxeter, April 3, 1922
24. Royal Truce, Uttoxeter, April 4, 1922
24. Royal Truce, Uttoxeter, April 4, 1922
25. Clarkia, Uttoxeter, April 4, 1922
25. Clarkia, Uttoxeter, April 4, 1922
26. Tally-Ho, Southwell, April 15, 1922
26. Tally-Ho, Southwell, April 15, 1922
