Les Miles
1919 - 1991
1919 - 1991
Leslie Edgar Kenvyn Miles was born on December 18, 1919. He was apprenticed to Fred Darling and rode on the Flat from 1934 as an apprentice. He held a Flat jockey’s licence between 1939 and 1945 and thereafter rode solely over jumps.
Leslie Edgar Kenvyn Miles was born on December 18, 1919. He was apprenticed to Fred Darling and rode on the Flat from 1934 as an apprentice. He held a Flat jockey’s licence between 1939 and 1945 and thereafter rode solely over jumps.
He rode primarily for Dick Holland. All his three victories for the 1948/49 season came courtesy of Holland’s juvenile hurdler Hunting Gate, on whom Les won at Devon & Exeter and Ludlow in September and at Worcester in December.
He rode primarily for Dick Holland. All his three victories for the 1948/49 season came courtesy of Holland’s juvenile hurdler Hunting Gate, on whom Les won at Devon & Exeter and Ludlow in September and at Worcester in December.
Riding Hal’s Venture at Stratford on March 19, 1949 he was lying fourth going into the first hurdle when a horse in front kicked back on landing and broke Les’s leg. The pain was so acute throughout the race that he blacked out but still managed to finish second, beaten only a head. He had to be carried by the horse’s trainer Dick Holland to the scales to weigh in. Meanwhile, the winner of the race collapsed and died.
Riding Hal’s Venture at Stratford on March 19, 1949 he was lying fourth going into the first hurdle when a horse in front kicked back on landing and broke Les’s leg. The pain was so acute throughout the race that he blacked out but still managed to finish second, beaten only a head. He had to be carried by the horse’s trainer Dick Holland to the scales to weigh in. Meanwhile, the winner of the race collapsed and died.
However, Hal’s Venture made amends when becoming the second leg of a double for Les when winning division two of the Castle Novices’ Hurdle at Ludlow on September 28, 1949. The double had been initiated by 7/4 favourite Ice-Bound in the first division of that race. They turned out to be the last two winners of his career.
However, Hal’s Venture made amends when becoming the second leg of a double for Les when winning division two of the Castle Novices’ Hurdle at Ludlow on September 28, 1949. The double had been initiated by 7/4 favourite Ice-Bound in the first division of that race. They turned out to be the last two winners of his career.
Sadly for Les, Hal’s Venture brought him more injury woe next time out when he was one of three first flight fallers at Fontwell on November 3. Hal’s Venture went on to win four more times that season and duly developed into a decent chaser, whereas Les rode for two more seasons but had no further winners.
Sadly for Les, Hal’s Venture brought him more injury woe next time out when he was one of three first flight fallers at Fontwell on November 3. Hal’s Venture went on to win four more times that season and duly developed into a decent chaser, whereas Les rode for two more seasons but had no further winners.
His riding career was ended by a schooling accident. After retiring, he had a builder’s business near Chippenham. He died on October 9, 1991, aged 71.
His riding career was ended by a schooling accident. After retiring, he had a builder’s business near Chippenham. He died on October 9, 1991, aged 71.