Ernest Sully
Ernest Sully
Ernest Sully
1894-1961
1894-1961
National Hunt jockey Ernest Reuben Sully was born in 1894 and rode a total of 44 winners over jumps – 10 of them at Market Rasen – during the 1920s and early 30s.
National Hunt jockey Ernest Reuben Sully was born in 1894 and rode a total of 44 winners over jumps – 10 of them at Market Rasen – during the 1920s and early 30s.
Ernest made an inauspicious start to his race-riding career when falling on a horse named Lincoln II in the Woolaton Chase at Nottingham on January 29, 1923. He rode his first winner later that year on 10-1 shot Pharoah II in the Hall Orchards Selling Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby on November 3, 1923.
Ernest made an inauspicious start to his race-riding career when falling on a horse named Lincoln II in the Woolaton Chase at Nottingham on January 29, 1923. He rode his first winner later that year on 10-1 shot Pharoah II in the Hall Orchards Selling Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby on November 3, 1923.
He enjoyed his most successful year in 1925 with 14 wins, the only time he achieved a double-figure score. They included a treble at Market Rasen on September 12, winning the Juvenile Hurdle on Pomade, the Market Handicap Hurdle on Doubler, and the Novices’ Chase on Chicot. He won four times on Chicot that year, following that Market Rasen success with victories at Perth later in September, Hexham in October and Cheltenham’s Cotswold Chase (a different race from the one of that name held at the National Hunt Meeting) in November.
He enjoyed his most successful year in 1925 with 14 wins, the only time he achieved a double-figure score. They included a treble at Market Rasen on September 12, winning the Juvenile Hurdle on Pomade, the Market Handicap Hurdle on Doubler, and the Novices’ Chase on Chicot. He won four times on Chicot that year, following that Market Rasen success with victories at Perth later in September, Hexham in October and Cheltenham’s Cotswold Chase (a different race from the one of that name held at the National Hunt Meeting) in November.
Among the four winners he rode during the 1927/28 campaign was Collindale at Wetherby’s 1928 Easter fixture. He then rode Collindale, who was trained by William Binnie at Middleham, in that year’s Scottish Grand National. Alas, there was no happy ending for that rare big race ride, as Collindale was pulled up.
Among the four winners he rode during the 1927/28 campaign was Collindale at Wetherby’s 1928 Easter fixture. He then rode Collindale, who was trained by William Binnie at Middleham, in that year’s Scottish Grand National. Alas, there was no happy ending for that rare big race ride, as Collindale was pulled up.
He rode three winners in the 1928/29 season, four in 1929/30 and four again in 1930/31, the last of which was on 5-1 chance Cabriolet in the Averham Selling Handicap Chase at Southwell on April 4, 1931. That would prove to be the last win of his career.
He rode three winners in the 1928/29 season, four in 1929/30 and four again in 1930/31, the last of which was on 5-1 chance Cabriolet in the Averham Selling Handicap Chase at Southwell on April 4, 1931. That would prove to be the last win of his career.
Following three blank seasons, he had his final ride when finishing unplaced on 20-1 outsider Phantom Jim in the Hipswell Selling Handicap Chase at Catterick Bridge on November 17, 1934.
Following three blank seasons, he had his final ride when finishing unplaced on 20-1 outsider Phantom Jim in the Hipswell Selling Handicap Chase at Catterick Bridge on November 17, 1934.
Ernest Sully died on November 8, 1961, aged 67.
Ernest Sully died on November 8, 1961, aged 67.
