Edgar Taylor
1905 - 1987
1905 - 1987
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Edgar Cecil Taylor, more popularly known as Eddie Taylor, also answered to the nickname of ‘Taffy’, thus reflecting his Welsh roots.
Edgar Cecil Taylor, more popularly known as Eddie Taylor, also answered to the nickname of ‘Taffy’, thus reflecting his Welsh roots.
He was born at Merthyr Tydfil on September 29, 1905, the son of a butcher. None of his family was connected with racing but he showed at an early age that he had a way with horses. Some friends of the Taylor family introduced him to the former Australian trainer Tim O’Sullivan, who was by then training in Malton, and on leaving school Taffy left home for O’Sullivan’s Yorkshire stable where he served his apprenticeship.
He was born at Merthyr Tydfil on September 29, 1905, the son of a butcher. None of his family was connected with racing but he showed at an early age that he had a way with horses. Some friends of the Taylor family introduced him to the former Australian trainer Tim O’Sullivan, who was by then training in Malton, and on leaving school Taffy left home for O’Sullivan’s Yorkshire stable where he served his apprenticeship.
Weight prevented him from riding much on the Flat and, while still an apprentice, he had his first ride over jumps on a four-year-old hurdler named John Wyse at Manchester on March 6, 1925. It was not an auspicious introduction as John Wyse fell, but the next time he rode the horse in public, at Wetherby eight months later (November 4, 1925), John Wyse gave him his first success by winning at 100/8.
Weight prevented him from riding much on the Flat and, while still an apprentice, he had his first ride over jumps on a four-year-old hurdler named John Wyse at Manchester on March 6, 1925. It was not an auspicious introduction as John Wyse fell, but the next time he rode the horse in public, at Wetherby eight months later (November 4, 1925), John Wyse gave him his first success by winning at 100/8.
After completing his apprenticeship, Taffy was associated in turn with the stables of Owen Anthony, Sam Armstrong and Tom Coulthwaite before setting in Epsom in 1931, when he rode for Jack Pendarves, Cecil Langlands and Walter Nightingall.
After completing his apprenticeship, Taffy was associated in turn with the stables of Owen Anthony, Sam Armstrong and Tom Coulthwaite before setting in Epsom in 1931, when he rode for Jack Pendarves, Cecil Langlands and Walter Nightingall.
Probably the best horse he rode, potentially at least, was Silver Bow II, a chaser owned and trained by Walter Nightingall who gave Captain Peter Herbert several winning rides just before the war. Taffy only rode him twice, firstly when finishing runner-up to Rightun in the Grand International Chase at Sandown in February 1938. Sadly, on his other ride just seven days later, Silver Bow II fell in the Troytown Chase at Lingfield and died of a haemorrhage. He was only seven years old and looked destined for a promising future.
Probably the best horse he rode, potentially at least, was Silver Bow II, a chaser owned and trained by Walter Nightingall who gave Captain Peter Herbert several winning rides just before the war. Taffy only rode him twice, firstly when finishing runner-up to Rightun in the Grand International Chase at Sandown in February 1938. Sadly, on his other ride just seven days later, Silver Bow II fell in the Troytown Chase at Lingfield and died of a haemorrhage. He was only seven years old and looked destined for a promising future.
Nightingall’s handicap hurdler was Taffy’s first winner of the 1938/39 campaign when scoring at Fontwell Park on October 19. Victory in a pair of close finishes on Just Jack (by a neck) and Severn Salmon (by a head) – the latter gained in the stewards’ room following the disqualification of the winner for bumping and boring – gave Taffy an Easter Monday double at Wincanton in 1939. Another bank holiday winner, No Parking at Towcester on Whit Monday gave Taffy the perfect end to the season.
Nightingall’s handicap hurdler was Taffy’s first winner of the 1938/39 campaign when scoring at Fontwell Park on October 19. Victory in a pair of close finishes on Just Jack (by a neck) and Severn Salmon (by a head) – the latter gained in the stewards’ room following the disqualification of the winner for bumping and boring – gave Taffy an Easter Monday double at Wincanton in 1939. Another bank holiday winner, No Parking at Towcester on Whit Monday gave Taffy the perfect end to the season.
During the war Taffy worked alongside other jump jockeys, spending five and a half years in a factory manufacturing aircraft instruments. After the war he resumed his career and soon proved that, despite having been deprived of five years at the height of his career, he had lost none of his ability as a jockey.
During the war Taffy worked alongside other jump jockeys, spending five and a half years in a factory manufacturing aircraft instruments. After the war he resumed his career and soon proved that, despite having been deprived of five years at the height of his career, he had lost none of his ability as a jockey.
The return of NH racing in Britain at the end of 1945 was welcomed by all. Taffy was soon back among the winners, landing a Hereford novices’ chase on Tom Rimell’s Granitza on March 30, 1946, then notching an Easter Monday double at Market Rasen on Earache and Annulet.
The return of NH racing in Britain at the end of 1945 was welcomed by all. Taffy was soon back among the winners, landing a Hereford novices’ chase on Tom Rimell’s Granitza on March 30, 1946, then notching an Easter Monday double at Market Rasen on Earache and Annulet.
He ended the 1946/47 campaign in similarly successful style, winning on Sandleigh at Newton Abbot on May 21 and Ur, who landed the Empire Day Cup Handicap Hurdle at Fontwell three days later. He rounded off the 1947/48 season at Wincanton’s Whit Monday fixture, winning a two-mile hurdle on Invertown. Bank Holidays were right up his street – on Easter Monday 1949 he was at Huntingdon, winning the two-mile handicap hurdle on Crimson Lake.
He ended the 1946/47 campaign in similarly successful style, winning on Sandleigh at Newton Abbot on May 21 and Ur, who landed the Empire Day Cup Handicap Hurdle at Fontwell three days later. He rounded off the 1947/48 season at Wincanton’s Whit Monday fixture, winning a two-mile hurdle on Invertown. Bank Holidays were right up his street – on Easter Monday 1949 he was at Huntingdon, winning the two-mile handicap hurdle on Crimson Lake.
At Worcester on December 3, 1949, Taffy won a selling hurdle on Bob Cole, to give former jockey Ted Goddard his first success as a trainer. Taffy rode a tremendous finish from the last hurdle and it was only his strength that got the horse home a winner. Eleven days later, Taffy again showed his strength in a finish when winning on Florogen over hurdles at Plumpton. That victory gave trainer Tommy Griffiths his first winner of the season. Taffy ended that month with a Boxing Day winner on Master Dun at Newton Abbot.
At Worcester on December 3, 1949, Taffy won a selling hurdle on Bob Cole, to give former jockey Ted Goddard his first success as a trainer. Taffy rode a tremendous finish from the last hurdle and it was only his strength that got the horse home a winner. Eleven days later, Taffy again showed his strength in a finish when winning on Florogen over hurdles at Plumpton. That victory gave trainer Tommy Griffiths his first winner of the season. Taffy ended that month with a Boxing Day winner on Master Dun at Newton Abbot.
Both of his winners for the 1950/51 were gained on the same day, courtesy of an Easter Monday double in the last two races on Newton Abbot’s card, aboard Epsom trainer Peter Thrale’s Dorodon and Ted Goddard’s novice hurdler Elsinore Castle.
Both of his winners for the 1950/51 were gained on the same day, courtesy of an Easter Monday double in the last two races on Newton Abbot’s card, aboard Epsom trainer Peter Thrale’s Dorodon and Ted Goddard’s novice hurdler Elsinore Castle.
It was Easter Monday twelve months later before Taffy rode his first winner of the 1951/52 campaign, on the Ted Goddard-trained Persian Monarch in the Brampton Hurdle at Huntingdon. He doubled his score for the season when winning on Goddard’s selling hurdler Diocletien at Plumpton.
It was Easter Monday twelve months later before Taffy rode his first winner of the 1951/52 campaign, on the Ted Goddard-trained Persian Monarch in the Brampton Hurdle at Huntingdon. He doubled his score for the season when winning on Goddard’s selling hurdler Diocletien at Plumpton.
Taffy rode his last winner on Peter Thrale’s Pre Fleuri in a mile-and-a-half three-year-old hurdle at Towcester on November 15, 1952. He hung up his boots and saddle at the end of that season.
Taffy rode his last winner on Peter Thrale’s Pre Fleuri in a mile-and-a-half three-year-old hurdle at Towcester on November 15, 1952. He hung up his boots and saddle at the end of that season.
Edgar ‘Taffy’ Taylor died in February 1987, aged 81.
Edgar ‘Taffy’ Taylor died in February 1987, aged 81.