Ernest Stelling
Ernest Stelling
Ernest Stelling
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Ernest Stelling rode for three seasons on the Flat during the tune of the First World War but did not ride a winner.
Ernest Stelling rode for three seasons on the Flat during the tune of the First World War but did not ride a winner.
For the 1914 season he was apprenticed to the stable of Lord George Dundas, but after a year he moved to that of former champion jockey Sam Loates. Sadly, neither trainer was able to provide him with that elusive first win.
For the 1914 season he was apprenticed to the stable of Lord George Dundas, but after a year he moved to that of former champion jockey Sam Loates. Sadly, neither trainer was able to provide him with that elusive first win.
Ernest’s first ride in public was at Nottingham on April 7, 1914 when he partnered Lord Zetland’s four-year-old gelding Sisera II, finishing unplaced in the five-furlong Bestwood Park Handicap, a race won by Freddie Fox on Nachdedorne, who defied a 10lb penalty for winning at Warwick eight days earlier. Sisera II had won two races the previous year but was unplaced in four subsequent outings, three of them with Ernest aboard, at Newmarket, Harpenden and Doncaster.
Ernest’s first ride in public was at Nottingham on April 7, 1914 when he partnered Lord Zetland’s four-year-old gelding Sisera II, finishing unplaced in the five-furlong Bestwood Park Handicap, a race won by Freddie Fox on Nachdedorne, who defied a 10lb penalty for winning at Warwick eight days earlier. Sisera II had won two races the previous year but was unplaced in four subsequent outings, three of them with Ernest aboard, at Newmarket, Harpenden and Doncaster.
Sam Loates regularly gave his apprentices a chance to ride on horses owned by himself or his wife, and did so with Ernest, but without success.
Sam Loates regularly gave his apprentices a chance to ride on horses owned by himself or his wife, and did so with Ernest, but without success.
Having failed to register a win in 1915, he had only one ride in 1916, at Newmarket on October 5, when he partnered the five-year-old Blue Danube, owned by Solly Joel, in the Clare Welter Handicap over the Rowley Mile. In the 21-runner field, Blue Danube was one of five horses who were slowly away and trailed home towards the rear.
Having failed to register a win in 1915, he had only one ride in 1916, at Newmarket on October 5, when he partnered the five-year-old Blue Danube, owned by Solly Joel, in the Clare Welter Handicap over the Rowley Mile. In the 21-runner field, Blue Danube was one of five horses who were slowly away and trailed home towards the rear.
Although Blue Danube went on to win a race in 1917, partnered by Steve Donoghue, Ernest Stelling’s career was over by then, having not ridden in public since that one mount at Newmarket the year before.
Although Blue Danube went on to win a race in 1917, partnered by Steve Donoghue, Ernest Stelling’s career was over by then, having not ridden in public since that one mount at Newmarket the year before.
