Owen Stanley
1889 - 1980
1889 - 1980
National Hunt jockey Owen Edward Stanley was born on November 28, 1889. He rode 36 winners over jumps, the majority as an amateur before belatedly turning professional.
National Hunt jockey Owen Edward Stanley was born on November 28, 1889. He rode 36 winners over jumps, the majority as an amateur before belatedly turning professional.
He had his first ride under NH rules when finishing second, beaten three lengths, on 20-1 outsider Knight of Scholl in the Henley Selling Handicap Hurdle at Shirley Park on September 6, 1920.
He had his first ride under NH rules when finishing second, beaten three lengths, on 20-1 outsider Knight of Scholl in the Henley Selling Handicap Hurdle at Shirley Park on September 6, 1920.
The Sporting Chronicle Racing-up-to-Date form book records his first win as being on Friar Tuck in the Farmers’ Cup Chase at the Eridge Huint bona fide meeting on April 16, 1921. However, wins in bona fide races did not count towards a rider’s score under National Hunt rules. Thus, he had to wait just over two weeks before Friar Tuck provided him with his first win under ‘proper’ NH rules when winning the United Hunts Chase at Lingfield Park’s United Hunts fixture on May 2, 1921. Remarkably – although it was less remarkable in those days – Friar Tuck was having his second run of the day, having finished runner-up in the first race on the card.
The Sporting Chronicle Racing-up-to-Date form book records his first win as being on Friar Tuck in the Farmers’ Cup Chase at the Eridge Huint bona fide meeting on April 16, 1921. However, wins in bona fide races did not count towards a rider’s score under National Hunt rules. Thus, he had to wait just over two weeks before Friar Tuck provided him with his first win under ‘proper’ NH rules when winning the United Hunts Chase at Lingfield Park’s United Hunts fixture on May 2, 1921. Remarkably – although it was less remarkable in those days – Friar Tuck was having his second run of the day, having finished runner-up in the first race on the card.
Owen rode Friar Tuck to another success at Lingfield’s United Hunts meeting in 1923. However, for all Friar Tuck’s endeavours, the horse that really got Owen established was a selling chaser named Tim. He was responsible for five of Owen’s ten winners in 1922, winning at Plymouth and Totnes in September, Wye in October, Newport in November and Newbury in December.
Owen rode Friar Tuck to another success at Lingfield’s United Hunts meeting in 1923. However, for all Friar Tuck’s endeavours, the horse that really got Owen established was a selling chaser named Tim. He was responsible for five of Owen’s ten winners in 1922, winning at Plymouth and Totnes in September, Wye in October, Newport in November and Newbury in December.
Tim also provided Owen with eight of his twelve victories in 1923, winning selling chases at Lingfield in January, Wye and Hawthorn Hill in March, Plymouth and Buckfastleigh in May, Cardiff in October, Newport in November and Windsor in December.
Tim also provided Owen with eight of his twelve victories in 1923, winning selling chases at Lingfield in January, Wye and Hawthorn Hill in March, Plymouth and Buckfastleigh in May, Cardiff in October, Newport in November and Windsor in December.
Owen turned professional in 1924 in time for the start of the new National Hunt season and finished the calendar year by equalling his best score of twelve wins (only two of them on Tim, on consecutive days at Buckfastleigh in June). However, his career stalled thereafter, for he achieved what proved to be his final success aboard 11-8 on favourite White Cockade, a five-length winner of the Dorsey Selling Chase at Windsor on January 24, 1925.
Owen turned professional in 1924 in time for the start of the new National Hunt season and finished the calendar year by equalling his best score of twelve wins (only two of them on Tim, on consecutive days at Buckfastleigh in June). However, his career stalled thereafter, for he achieved what proved to be his final success aboard 11-8 on favourite White Cockade, a five-length winner of the Dorsey Selling Chase at Windsor on January 24, 1925.
He rode for the final time when finishing unplaced on Red Or in the Brookside Selling Hurdle at Newton Abbot on August 2, 1927.
He rode for the final time when finishing unplaced on Red Or in the Brookside Selling Hurdle at Newton Abbot on August 2, 1927.
Owen Stanley lived to a fine old age, dying on June 21, 1980, aged 90.
Owen Stanley lived to a fine old age, dying on June 21, 1980, aged 90.
Owen Stanley's first winner
Owen Stanley's first winner