Henry Marney
Henry Marney
Henry Marney
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Henry Marney rode two winners over jumps in the early 1930s, then returned almost two decades later to add a further six to his total.
Henry Marney rode two winners over jumps in the early 1930s, then returned almost two decades later to add a further six to his total.
He made an inauspicious start to his race-riding career when his first ride, Vipond, was a faller in the Wye Selling Handicap Chase at that East Kent venue on November 3, 1930.
He made an inauspicious start to his race-riding career when his first ride, Vipond, was a faller in the Wye Selling Handicap Chase at that East Kent venue on November 3, 1930.
His initial success came when the six-year-old Tetracaun won the Alfriston Selling Chase at Newbury on December 5, 1931, scoring comfortably by four lengths. The partnership only managed two second places from Tetracaun’s next five starts, and it was not until the meeting at Fontwell Park on April 26, 1932 that Henry doubled his score when the seven-year-old Hippolytus landed the Ford Selling Handicap Chase, beating Clear The Way by eight lengths.
His initial success came when the six-year-old Tetracaun won the Alfriston Selling Chase at Newbury on December 5, 1931, scoring comfortably by four lengths. The partnership only managed two second places from Tetracaun’s next five starts, and it was not until the meeting at Fontwell Park on April 26, 1932 that Henry doubled his score when the seven-year-old Hippolytus landed the Ford Selling Handicap Chase, beating Clear The Way by eight lengths.
Henry continued riding until March 1934, after which there was a long gap – and a World War – before he resumed his career.
Henry continued riding until March 1934, after which there was a long gap – and a World War – before he resumed his career.
His ‘comeback’ win was gained on April 18, 1952 – 20 years after his previous success – aboard Onslow Boy in the Falmer Handicap Chase at Plumpton. Trained by Frank Pullen, the six-year-old beat Des Dartnall’s mount Kandy Boy by three lengths.
His ‘comeback’ win was gained on April 18, 1952 – 20 years after his previous success – aboard Onslow Boy in the Falmer Handicap Chase at Plumpton. Trained by Frank Pullen, the six-year-old beat Des Dartnall’s mount Kandy Boy by three lengths.
Pullen was also responsible for Henry’s next two wins the following the month: Renovate in the Fakenham Handicap Chase at West Norfolk Hunt, as Fakenham was then known, on May 17, and Hartley Minstrel in the Novices’ Hurdle at Towcester two weeks later.
Pullen was also responsible for Henry’s next two wins the following the month: Renovate in the Fakenham Handicap Chase at West Norfolk Hunt, as Fakenham was then known, on May 17, and Hartley Minstrel in the Novices’ Hurdle at Towcester two weeks later.
Henry had more than 30 rides during that 1951/52 season and was soon off the mark for the following campaign, when Waveaway took the Castle Novices’ Hurdle at Ludlow on September 24.
Henry had more than 30 rides during that 1951/52 season and was soon off the mark for the following campaign, when Waveaway took the Castle Novices’ Hurdle at Ludlow on September 24.
Six months elapsed before he next visited the winner’s enclosure, and that was in a dead-heat. On Easter Monday 1953 Henry on Noble Bill and Mick Morrissey on Giles Farnaby could not be separated at the end of the Raynham Chase at West Norfolk Hunt (Fakenham).
Six months elapsed before he next visited the winner’s enclosure, and that was in a dead-heat. On Easter Monday 1953 Henry on Noble Bill and Mick Morrissey on Giles Farnaby could not be separated at the end of the Raynham Chase at West Norfolk Hunt (Fakenham).
Noble Bill then won outright to give Henry his eighth and final winner when landing the Elmstead Handicap Chase at Wye on May 18, 1953, beating Resume, the mount of Fred Winter, soon to be crowned champion jockey for the first time, by two lengths.
Noble Bill then won outright to give Henry his eighth and final winner when landing the Elmstead Handicap Chase at Wye on May 18, 1953, beating Resume, the mount of Fred Winter, soon to be crowned champion jockey for the first time, by two lengths.
Henry’s career ended with an unplaced effort on Iron Grey in the Amberley Three-Year-Old hurdle at Fontwell Park on September 12, 1955. .
Henry’s career ended with an unplaced effort on Iron Grey in the Amberley Three-Year-Old hurdle at Fontwell Park on September 12, 1955. .
Henry Marney’s winners were, in chronological order:
Henry Marney’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Tetracaun, Newbury, December 5, 1931
1. Tetracaun, Newbury, December 5, 1931
2. Hippolytus, Fontwell Park, April 26, 1932
2. Hippolytus, Fontwell Park, April 26, 1932
3. Onslow Boy, Plumpton, April 18, 1952
3. Onslow Boy, Plumpton, April 18, 1952
4. Renovate, West Norfolk Hunt (Fakenham), May 17, 1952
4. Renovate, West Norfolk Hunt (Fakenham), May 17, 1952
5. Hartley Minstrel, Towcester, May 31, 1952
5. Hartley Minstrel, Towcester, May 31, 1952
6. Waveaway, Ludlow, September 24, 1952
6. Waveaway, Ludlow, September 24, 1952
7. Noble Bill, West Norfolk Hunt (Fakenham), April 6, 1953 (dead heat)
7. Noble Bill, West Norfolk Hunt (Fakenham), April 6, 1953 (dead heat)
8. Noble Bill, Wye, May 18, 1953
8. Noble Bill, Wye, May 18, 1953
Henry's seventh winner came by way of a dead heat in April 1953
Henry's seventh winner came by way of a dead heat in April 1953
Henry Marney's final winner: Noble Bill at Wye, May 18 1953
Henry Marney's final winner: Noble Bill at Wye, May 18 1953