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Louis Stoddard was an American amateur rider who rode 18 winners in Britain, 16 of them over jumps. These included two doubles at Taunton. He rode in two Grand Nationals and finished second in a Welsh Grand National.
Louis Stoddard was an American amateur rider who rode 18 winners in Britain, 16 of them over jumps. These included two doubles at Taunton. He rode in two Grand Nationals and finished second in a Welsh Grand National.
Aged nineteen, Louis made a successful début on a British racecourse when winning Hurst Park’s Mortlake Moderate Handicap Hurdle on Blue Mirage on Thursday, January 18, 1934. Riding ‘short’ in the American style, he rode a perfectly judged race. He did not begin to move until the straight was reached. When he did make his effort, he was seen to great advantage in a strong and powerful finish.
Aged nineteen, Louis made a successful début on a British racecourse when winning Hurst Park’s Mortlake Moderate Handicap Hurdle on Blue Mirage on Thursday, January 18, 1934. Riding ‘short’ in the American style, he rode a perfectly judged race. He did not begin to move until the straight was reached. When he did make his effort, he was seen to great advantage in a strong and powerful finish.
He said afterwards: “I greatly enjoyed my ride and am so pleased to have won at my first attempt here. I am staying in England until April, but have no intention of riding in the Grand National. I have two horses in training with Ivor Anthony, Evolution and Blue Banner.”
He said afterwards: “I greatly enjoyed my ride and am so pleased to have won at my first attempt here. I am staying in England until April, but have no intention of riding in the Grand National. I have two horses in training with Ivor Anthony, Evolution and Blue Banner.”
At that time, Louis had only just left college but had already proved himself an accomplished rider, riding six winners in America. His father, Mr Louis E. Stoddard, was then chairman of the American Polo Association, and was a member on one occasion of the America versus England international polo team.
At that time, Louis had only just left college but had already proved himself an accomplished rider, riding six winners in America. His father, Mr Louis E. Stoddard, was then chairman of the American Polo Association, and was a member on one occasion of the America versus England international polo team.
In May, 1933, Louis took a bad fall while schooling at Belmont Park and was unconscious for several weeks. He arrived in England that December, but the Wroughton trainer, Ivor Anthony, would not allow him to take a mount until his nerve was fully restored.
In May, 1933, Louis took a bad fall while schooling at Belmont Park and was unconscious for several weeks. He arrived in England that December, but the Wroughton trainer, Ivor Anthony, would not allow him to take a mount until his nerve was fully restored.
His second success in Britain was gained on Milano, trained by Ivor Anthony, in the valuable Diamond Jubilee Hurdle at Sandown Park – a race celebrating 60 years of racing at the Surrey track – on February 16, 1935. Milano would go on to provide Louis with five wins, including one on the Flat, and would later be his mount in a Grand National.
His second success in Britain was gained on Milano, trained by Ivor Anthony, in the valuable Diamond Jubilee Hurdle at Sandown Park – a race celebrating 60 years of racing at the Surrey track – on February 16, 1935. Milano would go on to provide Louis with five wins, including one on the Flat, and would later be his mount in a Grand National.
He recorded a double at Taunton the following month, then Milano carried him to victory in the Lydiate Welter Handicap, an amateur riders’ flat race, at Liverpool on March 28. Among the 14 jockeys behind him that day were former Grand National-winning rider Billy Dutton, future royal trainer Peter Cazalet, and Alec Marsh, later to be the starter of many Classic races and Grand Nationals.
He recorded a double at Taunton the following month, then Milano carried him to victory in the Lydiate Welter Handicap, an amateur riders’ flat race, at Liverpool on March 28. Among the 14 jockeys behind him that day were former Grand National-winning rider Billy Dutton, future royal trainer Peter Cazalet, and Alec Marsh, later to be the starter of many Classic races and Grand Nationals.
Louis rode in the Grand National for the fist time in 1936 on Rod And Gun, owned by fellow American Jock Whitney, but their race ended with a fall at the eleventh fence.
Louis rode in the Grand National for the fist time in 1936 on Rod And Gun, owned by fellow American Jock Whitney, but their race ended with a fall at the eleventh fence.
He then finished second in the 1936 Welsh Grand National aboard Free Wheeler, on which he had already won three races. He was beaten a length by Danny Morgan on Sorley Boy.
He then finished second in the 1936 Welsh Grand National aboard Free Wheeler, on which he had already won three races. He was beaten a length by Danny Morgan on Sorley Boy.
Louis was absent for much of 1937 and 1938 but returned to win on Milano, who was by then owned by his wife, at Lingfield Park in February 1939. Carrying 7lb overweight, he enjoyed a good ride on Milano in the 1939 Grand National until falling at Becher’s the second time round.
Louis was absent for much of 1937 and 1938 but returned to win on Milano, who was by then owned by his wife, at Lingfield Park in February 1939. Carrying 7lb overweight, he enjoyed a good ride on Milano in the 1939 Grand National until falling at Becher’s the second time round.
Four days later, March 28, Louis registered his second British Flat success on the four-year-old Vieux Temps in the Debdale Amateur Riders’ Plate at Warwick, beating John Hislop, one of the most successful amateur riders of all time, on the odds-on favourite Rodeo II by a head.
Four days later, March 28, Louis registered his second British Flat success on the four-year-old Vieux Temps in the Debdale Amateur Riders’ Plate at Warwick, beating John Hislop, one of the most successful amateur riders of all time, on the odds-on favourite Rodeo II by a head.
Louis rode what would turn out to be his last winner on British soil on Straw Boss in the Glanely Novices’ Chase at Cardiff on Easter Monday, April 19, 1939.
Louis rode what would turn out to be his last winner on British soil on Straw Boss in the Glanely Novices’ Chase at Cardiff on Easter Monday, April 19, 1939.
Because of the war, Louis was unable to ride Milano in the following year's National, the ride being taken by Danny Morgan. Milano was pulled up in the race. Aintree was then turned over to the War Department for the duration of hostilities.
Because of the war, Louis was unable to ride Milano in the following year's National, the ride being taken by Danny Morgan. Milano was pulled up in the race. Aintree was then turned over to the War Department for the duration of hostilities.
Louis served with the American Forces during the war.
Louis served with the American Forces during the war.
Louis Stoddard’s wins in Britain were, in chronological order:
Louis Stoddard’s wins in Britain were, in chronological order:
1. Blue Mirage, Hurst Park, January 18, 1934
1. Blue Mirage, Hurst Park, January 18, 1934
2. Milano, Sandown Park, February 16, 1935
2. Milano, Sandown Park, February 16, 1935
3. Hillwood, Taunton, March 21, 1935
3. Hillwood, Taunton, March 21, 1935
4. Blue Banner II, Taunton, March 21, 1935
4. Blue Banner II, Taunton, March 21, 1935
5. Milano, Liverpool, March 28, 1935 (Flat)
5. Milano, Liverpool, March 28, 1935 (Flat)
6. Milano, Uttoxeter, April 8, 1935
6. Milano, Uttoxeter, April 8, 1935
7. Free Wheeler, Chepstow, April 20, 1935
7. Free Wheeler, Chepstow, April 20, 1935
8. Free wheeler, Cardiff, April 22, 1935
8. Free wheeler, Cardiff, April 22, 1935
9. Boldero, Towcester, April 23, 1935
9. Boldero, Towcester, April 23, 1935
10. Hillwood, Taunton, February 6, 1936
10. Hillwood, Taunton, February 6, 1936
11. Blue Banner II, Taunton, February 6, 1936
11. Blue Banner II, Taunton, February 6, 1936
12. Milano, Windsor, February 20, 1936
12. Milano, Windsor, February 20, 1936
13. Blue Banner II, Birmingham, February 24, 1936
13. Blue Banner II, Birmingham, February 24, 1936
14. Blue Banner II, Hurst Park, March 13, 1936
14. Blue Banner II, Hurst Park, March 13, 1936
15. Free Wheeler, Sandown Park, March 31, 1936
15. Free Wheeler, Sandown Park, March 31, 1936
16. Milano, Lingfield Park, February 11, 1939
16. Milano, Lingfield Park, February 11, 1939
17. Vieux Temps, Warwick, March 28, 1939 (Flat)
17. Vieux Temps, Warwick, March 28, 1939 (Flat)
18. Straw Boss, Cardiff, April 10, 1939.
18. Straw Boss, Cardiff, April 10, 1939.
The only rider seriously injured in the Grand National just days earlier (he had to have several stitches in his head as a result of a fall from Milano) Louis rode a dashing race on Vieux Temps to beat the odds-on favourite at Warwick (March 28). This was Louis' first win on the Flat in England,
The only rider seriously injured in the Grand National just days earlier (he had to have several stitches in his head as a result of a fall from Milano) Louis rode a dashing race on Vieux Temps to beat the odds-on favourite at Warwick (March 28). This was Louis' first win on the Flat in England,
Jockeys Louis Stoddard (left) and Pete Bostwick in 1935.
Jockeys Louis Stoddard (left) and Pete Bostwick in 1935.
Louis' father in 1921
Louis' father in 1921
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