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Karoly Szente
Karoly Szente
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Karoly Szente was born in Hungary in the mid-1880s. He rode in Britain under National Hunt rules in the years prior to World War One and had five wins.
Karoly Szente was born in Hungary in the mid-1880s. He rode in Britain under National Hunt rules in the years prior to World War One and had five wins.
His first ride in England was on December 22, 1910, when finishing unplaced on Pummelo in the Winchcombe Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham. His first win was at Plumpton on January 6, 1911, when Renovant scored in the Hopeful Hurdle, beating Armourer by a length. According to the Sporting Life, the winner was “cleverly handled”.
His first ride in England was on December 22, 1910, when finishing unplaced on Pummelo in the Winchcombe Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham. His first win was at Plumpton on January 6, 1911, when Renovant scored in the Hopeful Hurdle, beating Armourer by a length. According to the Sporting Life, the winner was “cleverly handled”.
Karoly only stayed a few more weeks then returned to Hungary where he became champion jockey in 1911 with 27 wins and 15 seconds from 68 rides.
Karoly only stayed a few more weeks then returned to Hungary where he became champion jockey in 1911 with 27 wins and 15 seconds from 68 rides.
He did not ride in Britain again until January 1913, and on the 22nd he won the Maiden Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Newbury on Lilaline, who was making her debut over jumps. She came with a strong finish to overhaul the long time leader Royal Collar and score by three lengths.
He did not ride in Britain again until January 1913, and on the 22nd he won the Maiden Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Newbury on Lilaline, who was making her debut over jumps. She came with a strong finish to overhaul the long time leader Royal Collar and score by three lengths.
Following defeat by a head at Birmingham on February 11, Karoly and Lilaline journeyed to Sandown Park 16 days later for his last ride in England that year, and this time they won the Aissele Handicap Hurdle, beating Bill Hives on Levanter.
Following defeat by a head at Birmingham on February 11, Karoly and Lilaline journeyed to Sandown Park 16 days later for his last ride in England that year, and this time they won the Aissele Handicap Hurdle, beating Bill Hives on Levanter.
By the time he arrived back in England in 1914, Lilaline had a new owner, fellow Hungarian Niklos de Szemere, and horse and jockey resumed winning ways by taking the Warrington Handicap Hurdle at Haydock Park on January 9, beating Ivor Anthony on Growler by three-quarters of a length.
By the time he arrived back in England in 1914, Lilaline had a new owner, fellow Hungarian Niklos de Szemere, and horse and jockey resumed winning ways by taking the Warrington Handicap Hurdle at Haydock Park on January 9, beating Ivor Anthony on Growler by three-quarters of a length.
Their last success together came when landing the prestigious Sandown Great Prize, a handicap hurdle, at that Esher venue on February 6, beating General’s Pride by a length after a prolonged duel from the last flight.
Their last success together came when landing the prestigious Sandown Great Prize, a handicap hurdle, at that Esher venue on February 6, beating General’s Pride by a length after a prolonged duel from the last flight.
Karoly rode for the last time in England when unplaced on Lilaline in Sandown’s Imperial Cup on February 28, 1914. He returned to Hungary and rode 47 winners from 190 mounts between 1914 and 1916. He then retired from the saddle and embarked on a training career.
Karoly rode for the last time in England when unplaced on Lilaline in Sandown’s Imperial Cup on February 28, 1914. He returned to Hungary and rode 47 winners from 190 mounts between 1914 and 1916. He then retired from the saddle and embarked on a training career.
Karoly Szente’s British winners were, in chronological order:
Karoly Szente’s British winners were, in chronological order:
1. Renovant, Plumpton, January 6, 1911
1. Renovant, Plumpton, January 6, 1911
2. Lilaline, Newbury, January 22, 1913
2. Lilaline, Newbury, January 22, 1913
3. Lilaline, Sandown Park, February 27, 1913
3. Lilaline, Sandown Park, February 27, 1913
4. Lilaline, Haydock Park, January 9, 1914
4. Lilaline, Haydock Park, January 9, 1914
5. Lilaline, Sandown Park, February 6, 1914
5. Lilaline, Sandown Park, February 6, 1914
Note: I am indebted to Derek Gay for information concerning Karoly outside Britain, and also for the mention of Mr. Szemere.
Note: I am indebted to Derek Gay for information concerning Karoly outside Britain, and also for the mention of Mr. Szemere.
Karoly Szente's final winner: Lilaline, Sandown Park, February 6, 1914
Karoly Szente's final winner: Lilaline, Sandown Park, February 6, 1914
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