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I am indebted to John Turley who wrote this article for Jockeypedia.
I am indebted to John Turley who wrote this article for Jockeypedia.
Ken Mullins
Ken Mullins
1922 - 1997
1922 - 1997
Kenneth Richard Mullins – known throughout his life as Ken – was from a family of horsemen, his elder brother, Alf, also being a jockey.
Kenneth Richard Mullins – known throughout his life as Ken – was from a family of horsemen, his elder brother, Alf, also being a jockey.
Ken was born on October 3, 1922. He started out with trainer Jock “Stanger” Langlands in Lewes where he was pals with Bob Butchers, who was also part of racing family and went on to become Newsboy in the Daily Mirror.
Ken was born on October 3, 1922. He started out with trainer Jock “Stanger” Langlands in Lewes where he was pals with Bob Butchers, who was also part of racing family and went on to become Newsboy in the Daily Mirror.
But Ken soon moved on to Vic Smyth’s larger operation at Epsom. His first ride was on Smyth’s selling plater Litigation in an apprentices’ race at Newmarket in October 1937, and the following year, on May 20, 1938, Ken had his first winner on Truckle in the Old Mill Handicap at Lingfield.
But Ken soon moved on to Vic Smyth’s larger operation at Epsom. His first ride was on Smyth’s selling plater Litigation in an apprentices’ race at Newmarket in October 1937, and the following year, on May 20, 1938, Ken had his first winner on Truckle in the Old Mill Handicap at Lingfield.
By far the best horse Ken rode on the flat was Growing Confidence, trained by George Beeby. The pair came close to winning the 1944 Two Thousand Guineas, just failing to get up to beat Harry Wragg on the filly Garden Path.
By far the best horse Ken rode on the flat was Growing Confidence, trained by George Beeby. The pair came close to winning the 1944 Two Thousand Guineas, just failing to get up to beat Harry Wragg on the filly Garden Path.
Having so nearly won the Two Thousand Guineas, Ken and Growing Confidence were made favourites at 9-2 for the wartime Derby, held at Newmarket on June 17, but they never looked like winning and finished well down the field.
Having so nearly won the Two Thousand Guineas, Ken and Growing Confidence were made favourites at 9-2 for the wartime Derby, held at Newmarket on June 17, but they never looked like winning and finished well down the field.
By now Ken was getting too heavy for the Flat and in 1947 was concentrating more on National Hunt. He quickly established himself as a top hurdles jockey, striking up a formidable partnership with Aston Tirrold trainer John Goldsmith. Many of Goldsmith’s string were acquired from France, where he had developed contacts while operating as a spy in the War (chronicled in Goldsmith’s excellent book ‘Accidental Agent’).
By now Ken was getting too heavy for the Flat and in 1947 was concentrating more on National Hunt. He quickly established himself as a top hurdles jockey, striking up a formidable partnership with Aston Tirrold trainer John Goldsmith. Many of Goldsmith’s string were acquired from France, where he had developed contacts while operating as a spy in the War (chronicled in Goldsmith’s excellent book ‘Accidental Agent’).
A measure of Ken’s reputation came when Fulke Walwyn turned to him when stable jockey Bryan Marshall was injured and Ken promptly rode half a dozen winners for the great trainer.
A measure of Ken’s reputation came when Fulke Walwyn turned to him when stable jockey Bryan Marshall was injured and Ken promptly rode half a dozen winners for the great trainer.
After a couple of years riding over hurdles Ken started taking rides over fences. He rode the striking grey Soda II in the 1950 Grand National but was well behind when falling. He thus became one of only a few jockeys to have ridden in both the Epsom Derby and Grand National.
After a couple of years riding over hurdles Ken started taking rides over fences. He rode the striking grey Soda II in the 1950 Grand National but was well behind when falling. He thus became one of only a few jockeys to have ridden in both the Epsom Derby and Grand National.
By now Ken was based in Lambourn and had married local girl Edie Bowsher. Most of his winners were now being provided by trainers Henry Gordon-Bowsher (no relation to Edie!) and Aldwyn Hammond. But it was for the great Willie Stephenson that Ken rode his only Cheltenham Festival winner on Portarlington in the 1952 Mildmay of Flete Chase.
By now Ken was based in Lambourn and had married local girl Edie Bowsher. Most of his winners were now being provided by trainers Henry Gordon-Bowsher (no relation to Edie!) and Aldwyn Hammond. But it was for the great Willie Stephenson that Ken rode his only Cheltenham Festival winner on Portarlington in the 1952 Mildmay of Flete Chase.
Ken continued to ride through the 1950s, with a number of the smaller local trainers taking advantage of his skills. He was highly regarded right up the end of his riding career, his final outing coming at Sandown on March 14, 1959, when riding Siamois in the most prestigious handicap hurdle of the season, the Imperial Cup, for that supreme trainer Ryan Price.
Ken continued to ride through the 1950s, with a number of the smaller local trainers taking advantage of his skills. He was highly regarded right up the end of his riding career, his final outing coming at Sandown on March 14, 1959, when riding Siamois in the most prestigious handicap hurdle of the season, the Imperial Cup, for that supreme trainer Ryan Price.
On retiring Ken was able to focus on his farming business at Bockhampton Farm, which straddles the river Lambourn on the eastern edge of the village.
On retiring Ken was able to focus on his farming business at Bockhampton Farm, which straddles the river Lambourn on the eastern edge of the village.
In all Ken rode 80 winners on the flat and 266 over the jumps. He passed away on July 3, 1997, aged 74.
In all Ken rode 80 winners on the flat and 266 over the jumps. He passed away on July 3, 1997, aged 74.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1950: Princess Royal Handicap Hurdle – Vatelys
1950: Princess Royal Handicap Hurdle – Vatelys
1952: Mildmay of Flete Chase – Portarlington
1952: Mildmay of Flete Chase – Portarlington
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