Charles Wood
1854 -1945
1854 -1945
Born in Hull on November 21, 1854,, Charles – who suffered violently from sea-sickness - became apprenticed to strict disciplinarian Joseph Dawson at Bedford Lodge, Newmarket in 1867. Subjected to firm and judicious discipline, and set a fine example by stable jockey Tom French, he was in exactly the right environment to fulfil ambitions.
Born in Hull on November 21, 1854,, Charles – who suffered violently from sea-sickness - became apprenticed to strict disciplinarian Joseph Dawson at Bedford Lodge, Newmarket in 1867. Subjected to firm and judicious discipline, and set a fine example by stable jockey Tom French, he was in exactly the right environment to fulfil ambitions.
He rode his first winner, Henri lV (8/11), on September 25th, 1872 at Newmarket, beating the great George Fordham in a match. Another early success came in the 1875 Royal Hunt Cup on Thuringian Prince. He rode principally for Sir George Chetwyn, but it was a doomed partnership – Wood rode many of his own horses which was strictly forbidden, and how he rode them depended entirely on Sir George’s wagers. Jockey and owner were warned off for ten years but, incredibly, Wood bounced back to win the Triple Crown in 1897 on Galtee More.
He rode his first winner, Henri lV (8/11), on September 25th, 1872 at Newmarket, beating the great George Fordham in a match. Another early success came in the 1875 Royal Hunt Cup on Thuringian Prince. He rode principally for Sir George Chetwyn, but it was a doomed partnership – Wood rode many of his own horses which was strictly forbidden, and how he rode them depended entirely on Sir George’s wagers. Jockey and owner were warned off for ten years but, incredibly, Wood bounced back to win the Triple Crown in 1897 on Galtee More.
On November 25th 1887, the Licensed Victualler’s Gazette said that Wood ‘nearly pulled the head off’ the horse Success at Lewes and Alexandra Park. Wood considered this statement libellous, construing it to mean that he had unfairly and dishonestly ridden the horse. The publishers of the paper replied that there was no malicious or false publication in regard to Wood, but that the statements made were, in fact, true as Wood did not do his best to win at either racecourse. Wood sued the paper for £5,000, won his case, but had only one farthing damages awarded to him.
On November 25th 1887, the Licensed Victualler’s Gazette said that Wood ‘nearly pulled the head off’ the horse Success at Lewes and Alexandra Park. Wood considered this statement libellous, construing it to mean that he had unfairly and dishonestly ridden the horse. The publishers of the paper replied that there was no malicious or false publication in regard to Wood, but that the statements made were, in fact, true as Wood did not do his best to win at either racecourse. Wood sued the paper for £5,000, won his case, but had only one farthing damages awarded to him.
Wood continued to ride with great success, and during Fred Archer’s life, stood second on the list of winning jockeys. When Archer died, he went to the head of the list. He was associated with St Simon, winning the 1884 Ascot and Goodwood Gold Cups. During his career he rode 1,750 winners - he won the Derby three times and the St Leger twice. He trained for a time after retiring from the saddle, helping his son James set up stables at Epsom. He was champion jockey in 1887 with 151 winners.
Wood continued to ride with great success, and during Fred Archer’s life, stood second on the list of winning jockeys. When Archer died, he went to the head of the list. He was associated with St Simon, winning the 1884 Ascot and Goodwood Gold Cups. During his career he rode 1,750 winners - he won the Derby three times and the St Leger twice. He trained for a time after retiring from the saddle, helping his son James set up stables at Epsom. He was champion jockey in 1887 with 151 winners.
One of the few jockeys never to have had trouble with his weight, he was still in excellent health at 80. In 1938 he lost the sight of an eye, and was completely blind at the time of his death. This occurred in Eastbourne on Saturday June 2nd 1945.
One of the few jockeys never to have had trouble with his weight, he was still in excellent health at 80. In 1938 he lost the sight of an eye, and was completely blind at the time of his death. This occurred in Eastbourne on Saturday June 2nd 1945.
On 1st September 1873, Charles married Hannah Burgess. He was a devoted family man who preferred nights in with the family to socialising. He celebrated his sixty-ninth wedding anniversary a year before he died.
On 1st September 1873, Charles married Hannah Burgess. He was a devoted family man who preferred nights in with the family to socialising. He celebrated his sixty-ninth wedding anniversary a year before he died.
Charles was indirectly responsible for American Tod Sloan coming over. Lord William Beresford wanted Charles to ride as first jockey for him, but, due to other commitments, he had to refuse. Beresford then arranged for Sloan to take the job.
Charles was indirectly responsible for American Tod Sloan coming over. Lord William Beresford wanted Charles to ride as first jockey for him, but, due to other commitments, he had to refuse. Beresford then arranged for Sloan to take the job.
Speaking in 1936, Charles Wood said “St Simon was the best horse I rode. I never knew how fast he could go because he was never extended.” He went on “I remember on one occasion when Fred Archer’s valet came to me and said ‘Mr Archer is very ill – he is worrying himself to death that you will beat him (in the jockeys’ championship) and he cannot stand it.’ Wood replied “Give my compliments to Mr Archer and tell him I won’t beat him. I’ll miss the meeting on Friday.” And he did.
Speaking in 1936, Charles Wood said “St Simon was the best horse I rode. I never knew how fast he could go because he was never extended.” He went on “I remember on one occasion when Fred Archer’s valet came to me and said ‘Mr Archer is very ill – he is worrying himself to death that you will beat him (in the jockeys’ championship) and he cannot stand it.’ Wood replied “Give my compliments to Mr Archer and tell him I won’t beat him. I’ll miss the meeting on Friday.” And he did.
Charles Wood’s classic wins:
Charles Wood’s classic wins:
Two Thousand Guineas: Galtee More (1897)
Two Thousand Guineas: Galtee More (1897)
One Thousand Guineas: Elizabeth (1880), St Marguerite (1882) and Reve D’Or (1887)
One Thousand Guineas: Elizabeth (1880), St Marguerite (1882) and Reve D’Or (1887)
The Derby: St Blaise (1883), St Gatien (1884, dead-heat) and Galtee More (1897)
The Derby: St Blaise (1883), St Gatien (1884, dead-heat) and Galtee More (1897)
The Oaks: Reve d’Or (1887)
The Oaks: Reve d’Or (1887)
St Leger: Galtee More (1897) and Wildflower (1898)
St Leger: Galtee More (1897) and Wildflower (1898)