Lester Reiff
1877 – 1948
1877 – 1948
The second of three sons of an Ohio blacksmith, Lester Berchart (sometimes written Birchard) Reiff was born on April 26, 1877, in Americus, Missouri. His elder brother, Deb, was the foreman at a racing stable in Cygnet, Ohio, and it was here that Lester learned his trade.
The second of three sons of an Ohio blacksmith, Lester Berchart (sometimes written Birchard) Reiff was born on April 26, 1877, in Americus, Missouri. His elder brother, Deb, was the foreman at a racing stable in Cygnet, Ohio, and it was here that Lester learned his trade.
He first rode in England in 1896, winning 16 races but was suspended by the Jockey Club in July for interfering with another horse in the Goodwood Cup and went back to America. His license reinstated, he returned to compete against other prominent American jockeys – Tod Sloan, Skeets Martin and Danny Maher – and became leading jockey in 1900 with 143 winners from 553 mounts, the first non-British jockey to accomplish this feat. He also rode Volodyovski to win the 1901 Derby.
He first rode in England in 1896, winning 16 races but was suspended by the Jockey Club in July for interfering with another horse in the Goodwood Cup and went back to America. His license reinstated, he returned to compete against other prominent American jockeys – Tod Sloan, Skeets Martin and Danny Maher – and became leading jockey in 1900 with 143 winners from 553 mounts, the first non-British jockey to accomplish this feat. He also rode Volodyovski to win the 1901 Derby.
Then his luck ran out. On 27th September 1901, he rode a horse at Manchester and was beaten a head by a horse ridden by his brother John. (Lord Durham also accused the brothers of being involved in a horse doping ring even though drug use was still permissible in the UK, not being outlawed until 1904). Lester Reiff, as a teenage jockey in America, had been suspended numerous times for throwing races and the Stewards felt that he had allowed his brother to win. He was warned off for three years.
Then his luck ran out. On 27th September 1901, he rode a horse at Manchester and was beaten a head by a horse ridden by his brother John. (Lord Durham also accused the brothers of being involved in a horse doping ring even though drug use was still permissible in the UK, not being outlawed until 1904). Lester Reiff, as a teenage jockey in America, had been suspended numerous times for throwing races and the Stewards felt that he had allowed his brother to win. He was warned off for three years.
Lester rode a total of 288 winners in England.
Lester rode a total of 288 winners in England.
Though his license was reinstated once again in 1904 he did not ride again. Instead, he became a real estate broker and venture capitalist.
Though his license was reinstated once again in 1904 he did not ride again. Instead, he became a real estate broker and venture capitalist.
He died, aged 71, on October 10th 1948 in Alameda and was buried in a family plot at Oak Hill Memorial.
He died, aged 71, on October 10th 1948 in Alameda and was buried in a family plot at Oak Hill Memorial.
1900 Champion Jockey with 143 winners
1900 Champion Jockey with 143 winners
