Charles was born at Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham, on June 7, 1856, and was apprenticed to Newmarket trainer Peter Price for five years from 1869.
His first ride came on Gouvier at Newmarket in 1872.
His first winner came a year later on the same course riding Lord Derby.
Charles rode Munden to win the 1875 Ayr Gold Cup and Aldrich to win the 1874 City & Suburban. He also won the 1876 Northumberland Plate on The Snail.
After a successful career as a jockey, he became a farmer, racehorse owner & gambler.
He owned Red Eyes, which dead-heated for the 1893 Cesarewitch.
Charles died at Soham, near Newmarket, on November 9, 1938, aged 82.