Herbert Southey
Herbert Southey
Herbert Southey
1877 -1965
1877 -1965
The son of a coachman, Herbert George Southey was born in Paddington on December 18, 1877, along with a twin sister, Gertrude. Aged just 11, he was apprenticed to Charles Peck at Newmarket. It was there that he acquired his nickname ‘Tiny’, by which he was known throughout his career.
The son of a coachman, Herbert George Southey was born in Paddington on December 18, 1877, along with a twin sister, Gertrude. Aged just 11, he was apprenticed to Charles Peck at Newmarket. It was there that he acquired his nickname ‘Tiny’, by which he was known throughout his career.
He rode his first winner on 16-1 chance St Vaast in the Visitors’ Handicap Plate at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting on April 11, 1899. That was the first of two winners he rode that season.
He rode his first winner on 16-1 chance St Vaast in the Visitors’ Handicap Plate at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting on April 11, 1899. That was the first of two winners he rode that season.
He gained his biggest success when steering Lord Harewood’s colt Cantilever to a head victory in the 1913 Cambridgeshire at 33-1. Remarkably, that was his first winner since the two he’d had 14 years earlier. Winning trainer Colledge Leader gave him a present of £300, a lot of money in those days.
He gained his biggest success when steering Lord Harewood’s colt Cantilever to a head victory in the 1913 Cambridgeshire at 33-1. Remarkably, that was his first winner since the two he’d had 14 years earlier. Winning trainer Colledge Leader gave him a present of £300, a lot of money in those days.
‘Tiny’ served in the army during World War One, looking after horses and donkeys. When hostilities ended, he attempted to resume his career a jockey but opportunities were limited and he found himself little more than a stable lad.
‘Tiny’ served in the army during World War One, looking after horses and donkeys. When hostilities ended, he attempted to resume his career a jockey but opportunities were limited and he found himself little more than a stable lad.
He rode a total of just nine winners during his career, with a best seasonal score of three in 1920. The last of those nine was gained on the filly Jessie Agnes, trained by Colledge Leader, in the Tyne Three-Year-Old Handicap at Newcastle on Easter Monday, March 28, 1921.
He rode a total of just nine winners during his career, with a best seasonal score of three in 1920. The last of those nine was gained on the filly Jessie Agnes, trained by Colledge Leader, in the Tyne Three-Year-Old Handicap at Newcastle on Easter Monday, March 28, 1921.
He rode for the final time when finishing unplaced on Never Will in the Savile Plate at Nottingham on July 7, 1924. He then worked as travelling head lad to Colledge Leader at Newmarket, later becoming landlord of the Carpenter's Arms in Newmarket for a short while.
He rode for the final time when finishing unplaced on Never Will in the Savile Plate at Nottingham on July 7, 1924. He then worked as travelling head lad to Colledge Leader at Newmarket, later becoming landlord of the Carpenter's Arms in Newmarket for a short while.
‘Tiny’ Southey died at Newmarket on Saturday, October 16, 1965, at the age of 87.
‘Tiny’ Southey died at Newmarket on Saturday, October 16, 1965, at the age of 87.
His son, also christened Herbert George, was born on March 25, 1910. He followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a jockey and gained his biggest win on Leonidas II in the 1933 Lincolnshire Handicap. He died on December 21, 1993, aged 83.
His son, also christened Herbert George, was born on March 25, 1910. He followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a jockey and gained his biggest win on Leonidas II in the 1933 Lincolnshire Handicap. He died on December 21, 1993, aged 83.
Their graves at All Saints Church, Newmarket, adjoin each other.
Their graves at All Saints Church, Newmarket, adjoin each other.
Herbert Southey’s wins were, in chronological order:
Herbert Southey’s wins were, in chronological order:
1. St Vaast, Newmarket, April 11, 1899
1. St Vaast, Newmarket, April 11, 1899
2. Armiger, York, September 17, 1899
2. Armiger, York, September 17, 1899
3. Cantilever, Newmarket, October 29, 1913
3. Cantilever, Newmarket, October 29, 1913
4. Variety, Newmarket, April 16, 1914
4. Variety, Newmarket, April 16, 1914
5. Willbrook, Nottingham, July 7, 1914
5. Willbrook, Nottingham, July 7, 1914
6. A.T.N., Lingfield Park, May 28, 1920
6. A.T.N., Lingfield Park, May 28, 1920
7. Juli, Ripon, August 2, 1920
7. Juli, Ripon, August 2, 1920
8. Jessie Agnes, Ripon, August 3, 1920
8. Jessie Agnes, Ripon, August 3, 1920
9. Jessie Agnes, Newcastle, March 28, 1921
9. Jessie Agnes, Newcastle, March 28, 1921
The finish of the 1913 Cambridgeshire : Cantilever (above) is the centre horse of the leading three.
The finish of the 1913 Cambridgeshire : Cantilever (above) is the centre horse of the leading three.