Ernest Morgan
Born in Wales in 1881, National Hunt jockey Ernest Morgan had his first ride in public on a horse named Lady Fitztraver in the Penyfai Hurdle at Carmarthen Hunt on February 17, 1897. They finished third but were subsequently placed second after the winner was disqualified for carrying the wrong weight.
Born in Wales in 1881, National Hunt jockey Ernest Morgan had his first ride in public on a horse named Lady Fitztraver in the Penyfai Hurdle at Carmarthen Hunt on February 17, 1897. They finished third but were subsequently placed second after the winner was disqualified for carrying the wrong weight.
Carmarthen Hunt was also the venue for Ernest’s first win, aboard Pyracantha, the 6-4 favourite, in the Carmarthenshire Hurdle on February 10, 1898. Two months later, Ernest rode Pyracantha in the Welsh Grand National, finishing second to David Davies on Hedgehog, beaten two lengths after a hard-fought dual in the closing stages.
Carmarthen Hunt was also the venue for Ernest’s first win, aboard Pyracantha, the 6-4 favourite, in the Carmarthenshire Hurdle on February 10, 1898. Two months later, Ernest rode Pyracantha in the Welsh Grand National, finishing second to David Davies on Hedgehog, beaten two lengths after a hard-fought dual in the closing stages.
He didn’t have to wait overly long for his first notable success, winning the 1899 Abbeystead Chase for four-year-olds over part of the Grand National course on Zodiac. Those Aintree fences represented a tough test for a four-year-old. The race was rightly consigned to history after 1903.
He didn’t have to wait overly long for his first notable success, winning the 1899 Abbeystead Chase for four-year-olds over part of the Grand National course on Zodiac. Those Aintree fences represented a tough test for a four-year-old. The race was rightly consigned to history after 1903.
His best year numerically was in 1901 when he rode 20 winners. He again finished second in that year’s Welsh Grand National, this time on Kirkland, trained by Colonel Freddie Lort Phillips at Lawrenny Park, near Tenby in Pembrokeshire. They were beaten 15 lengths by Gangbridge, the mount of leading amateur rider Herbert Sidney. Kirkland’s finest moment would come in 1905 when winning the Grand National in the hands of ‘Tich’ Mason.
His best year numerically was in 1901 when he rode 20 winners. He again finished second in that year’s Welsh Grand National, this time on Kirkland, trained by Colonel Freddie Lort Phillips at Lawrenny Park, near Tenby in Pembrokeshire. They were beaten 15 lengths by Gangbridge, the mount of leading amateur rider Herbert Sidney. Kirkland’s finest moment would come in 1905 when winning the Grand National in the hands of ‘Tich’ Mason.
Ernest trained and rode Timothy Titus to win the 1905 Grand Annual Chase and then rode him in that year’s Grand National. They led the field past the stands but fell at the fence after Valentine’s on the second circuit. It was a similar story the following year, with Timothy Titus leading the field at halfway, only to fall at Canal Turn second time round. Ernest’s only other Grand National mount was in 1909 on 100-1 outsider Red Monk who was pulled up.
Ernest trained and rode Timothy Titus to win the 1905 Grand Annual Chase and then rode him in that year’s Grand National. They led the field past the stands but fell at the fence after Valentine’s on the second circuit. It was a similar story the following year, with Timothy Titus leading the field at halfway, only to fall at Canal Turn second time round. Ernest’s only other Grand National mount was in 1909 on 100-1 outsider Red Monk who was pulled up.
He rode a total of 73 winners during his career and was particularly effective round the South Wales tracks. He notched 14 winners at Cardiff, 10 at Tenby and nine at Carmarthen Hunt.
He rode a total of 73 winners during his career and was particularly effective round the South Wales tracks. He notched 14 winners at Cardiff, 10 at Tenby and nine at Carmarthen Hunt.
He retired on a winning note, guiding Rathvale to victory in the Birmingham Handicap Chase at the Bromford Bridge track on April 13, 1910.
He retired on a winning note, guiding Rathvale to victory in the Birmingham Handicap Chase at the Bromford Bridge track on April 13, 1910.
