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Eric Munday
Eric Munday
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Eric Richard Munday had plenty of rides over jumps during the 1950s and recorded six wins. His first ride was at Wincanton on May 1, 1952, when Colonel Bagwash finished unplaced in the Bussey Stool Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1).
Eric Richard Munday had plenty of rides over jumps during the 1950s and recorded six wins. His first ride was at Wincanton on May 1, 1952, when Colonel Bagwash finished unplaced in the Bussey Stool Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1).
He had to wait more than 18 months for a first success, which finally came at Ludlow on February 24, 1954, when Lonely Boy, owned and trained by Dick Langley at Beoley, near Redditch, won the Aldon Handicap Chase by 15 lengths. The winner may have been a touch fortunate as the was a melee four fences from home which saw four horses baulked and brought down.
He had to wait more than 18 months for a first success, which finally came at Ludlow on February 24, 1954, when Lonely Boy, owned and trained by Dick Langley at Beoley, near Redditch, won the Aldon Handicap Chase by 15 lengths. The winner may have been a touch fortunate as the was a melee four fences from home which saw four horses baulked and brought down.
Lonely Boy was a 14-year-old veteran and running in his 13th race of the season, which had included winning three in the space of 12 days in August when ridden by Matt McCourt. As the Ludlow race was confined to jockeys who had not ridden 14 winners, Eric was given the chance. He kept the ride for Lonely Boy’s next outing, which was at the rarified heights of Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting in the Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup. They finished eighth, with Eric putting up a pound overweight at 10st 5lb.
Lonely Boy was a 14-year-old veteran and running in his 13th race of the season, which had included winning three in the space of 12 days in August when ridden by Matt McCourt. As the Ludlow race was confined to jockeys who had not ridden 14 winners, Eric was given the chance. He kept the ride for Lonely Boy’s next outing, which was at the rarified heights of Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting in the Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup. They finished eighth, with Eric putting up a pound overweight at 10st 5lb.
Other jockeys then took over and Eric had to wait a further 18 months for another winner. This eventually came at Woore on October 20, 1955, when Van Eyck led all the way to land the Bearstone Novices’ Hurdle.
Other jockeys then took over and Eric had to wait a further 18 months for another winner. This eventually came at Woore on October 20, 1955, when Van Eyck led all the way to land the Bearstone Novices’ Hurdle.
Eric’s next success was on Boxing Day at Chepstow when Eton Lad won the Novices’ Chase. The following day he ventured to Wolverhampton where he added the Bilston Handicap Chase on Balkan Catch.
Eric’s next success was on Boxing Day at Chepstow when Eton Lad won the Novices’ Chase. The following day he ventured to Wolverhampton where he added the Bilston Handicap Chase on Balkan Catch.
His final win of the 1955/56 campaign came at Southwell on March 29, when his mount Giles Farnaby overhauled Stan Mellor on Midox in the closing stages to claim the Caunton Handicap Chase.
His final win of the 1955/56 campaign came at Southwell on March 29, when his mount Giles Farnaby overhauled Stan Mellor on Midox in the closing stages to claim the Caunton Handicap Chase.
Despite having more than 30 rides in the following season he managed only one win. That was when Aileen’s Cacador made practically all to land the Town Handicap Hurdle at Leicester by two lengths on December 3, 1956.
Despite having more than 30 rides in the following season he managed only one win. That was when Aileen’s Cacador made practically all to land the Town Handicap Hurdle at Leicester by two lengths on December 3, 1956.
He had no further wins and rode for the final time when Ellwood was a faller in the Club Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) at Manchester on December 31, 1960.
He had no further wins and rode for the final time when Ellwood was a faller in the Club Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) at Manchester on December 31, 1960.
Eric Munday’s winners were, in chronological order:
Eric Munday’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Lonely Voy, Ludlow, February 24, 1954
1. Lonely Voy, Ludlow, February 24, 1954
2. Van Eyck, Woore, October 20, 1955
2. Van Eyck, Woore, October 20, 1955
3. Eton Las, Chepstow, December 26, 1955
3. Eton Las, Chepstow, December 26, 1955
4. Balkan Catch, Wolverhampton, December 27, 1955
4. Balkan Catch, Wolverhampton, December 27, 1955
5. Giles Farnaby, Southwell, March 29, 1956
5. Giles Farnaby, Southwell, March 29, 1956
6. Aileen’s Cacador, Leicester, December 3, 1956
6. Aileen’s Cacador, Leicester, December 3, 1956
Lonely Boy, Eric Munday's first winner
Lonely Boy, Eric Munday's first winner
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