Frederick Sonnex
Despite riding for more than four years, apprentice jockey Frederick William Sonnex did not manage to ride a winner.
Despite riding for more than four years, apprentice jockey Frederick William Sonnex did not manage to ride a winner.
He was initially apprenticed to William Larkin and made his debut at Newmarket on September 27, 1927 when finishing unplaced on Trecarne in the Apprentices’ Handicap.
He was initially apprenticed to William Larkin and made his debut at Newmarket on September 27, 1927 when finishing unplaced on Trecarne in the Apprentices’ Handicap.
Although he had plenty of mounts the following season, that first winner eluded him.
Although he had plenty of mounts the following season, that first winner eluded him.
His final ride was when finishing fourth of six runners on Two Royals in the Coventry Apprentice Plate at Worcester on November 4, 1931. He had to put up 5lb overweight to ride at 7st 13lb, an indication that rising weight may have been the cause of him calling time on his career. The successful jockey in that race was Bill Rickaby, who was riding only his second winner. From a well-known racing family, Rickaby went on to forge a successful career that lasted until 1968 and includes over 1,100 victories.
His final ride was when finishing fourth of six runners on Two Royals in the Coventry Apprentice Plate at Worcester on November 4, 1931. He had to put up 5lb overweight to ride at 7st 13lb, an indication that rising weight may have been the cause of him calling time on his career. The successful jockey in that race was Bill Rickaby, who was riding only his second winner. From a well-known racing family, Rickaby went on to forge a successful career that lasted until 1968 and includes over 1,100 victories.
As for Frederick Sonnex, he did not ride in Britain again.
As for Frederick Sonnex, he did not ride in Britain again.
A jockey named Barry Sonnex held a National Hunt jockey’s licence for just one season in 1961/62 but had very few rides. Among them was an unplaced effort on Illusion, trained by Bill Marshall, in the 27-runner Welford Selling Handicap Hurdle at Worcester on January 20, 1962. Whether he was a relative of Frederick Sonnex is not known but, given the unusual surname, there is a good chance that he may have been related in some way.
A jockey named Barry Sonnex held a National Hunt jockey’s licence for just one season in 1961/62 but had very few rides. Among them was an unplaced effort on Illusion, trained by Bill Marshall, in the 27-runner Welford Selling Handicap Hurdle at Worcester on January 20, 1962. Whether he was a relative of Frederick Sonnex is not known but, given the unusual surname, there is a good chance that he may have been related in some way.
Frederick's racecourse debut came at Newmarket on Trecarne, September 27, 1927.
Frederick's racecourse debut came at Newmarket on Trecarne, September 27, 1927.
Frederick's final ride: Two Royals at Worcester, November 4, 1931.
Frederick's final ride: Two Royals at Worcester, November 4, 1931.