Elijah Wheatley
Elijah (left) with George Colling
Elijah (left) with George Colling
1884 - 1951
1884 - 1951
Elijah Wheatley was born on 16 August 1884, in Ilkeston, Derbyshire (about 7 miles from Nottingham) and, because of his size, was known as ‘the Whippet’, quickly abbreviated to ‘The Whip’. After completing his apprenticeship, he worked at Dobson Peacock’s yard at Middleham, Yorkshire.
Elijah Wheatley was born on 16 August 1884, in Ilkeston, Derbyshire (about 7 miles from Nottingham) and, because of his size, was known as ‘the Whippet’, quickly abbreviated to ‘The Whip’. After completing his apprenticeship, he worked at Dobson Peacock’s yard at Middleham, Yorkshire.
His first winner was Zamiella at Warwick, April 10, 1901
His first winner was Zamiella at Warwick, April 10, 1901
He moved on to William Elsey’s yard at Baumber in Lincolnshire and was still an apprentice when he won the Jockey Championship in 1905 with 124 winners. To mark the occasion, a civic reception was held, plus a parade, with the music being provided by the clanging of dustbin lids.
He moved on to William Elsey’s yard at Baumber in Lincolnshire and was still an apprentice when he won the Jockey Championship in 1905 with 124 winners. To mark the occasion, a civic reception was held, plus a parade, with the music being provided by the clanging of dustbin lids.
Still a young man, he fell in love with a girl called Fanny Baddley, but his inn-keeper parents, for reasons unknown, forbade the marriage. He was eventually married in 1912 to Maud Grace Wood, the younger sister of Marie Lloyd (Wood), the famous music hall singer.
Still a young man, he fell in love with a girl called Fanny Baddley, but his inn-keeper parents, for reasons unknown, forbade the marriage. He was eventually married in 1912 to Maud Grace Wood, the younger sister of Marie Lloyd (Wood), the famous music hall singer.
A year later, he was successful in the St Leger riding the 50/1 chance Night Hawk to a two-length victory – he also won the 1919 Manchester November Handicap on King John. In 1923, Elijah received an invitation to race in Egypt which he readily accepted. He and Maud spent the rest of their time together there. In 1933, no longer riding, he began to train and was appointed trainer to the King of Egypt.
A year later, he was successful in the St Leger riding the 50/1 chance Night Hawk to a two-length victory – he also won the 1919 Manchester November Handicap on King John. In 1923, Elijah received an invitation to race in Egypt which he readily accepted. He and Maud spent the rest of their time together there. In 1933, no longer riding, he began to train and was appointed trainer to the King of Egypt.
Maud died in 1951, and Elijah returned from Cairo to England and lived with his sister (Mrs Tilforth) in Whitworth Road, Ilkeston. Elijah passed away on October 7, 1951, aged 67.
Maud died in 1951, and Elijah returned from Cairo to England and lived with his sister (Mrs Tilforth) in Whitworth Road, Ilkeston. Elijah passed away on October 7, 1951, aged 67.
Once, at the start of a four-horse race, Steve Donoghue said to him ‘Elijah, what about giving me a lead?’ Elijah replied that he had orders to wait. Steve tried the other two jockeys but got the same response. Consequently, when the starting barrier ascended, all four horses stood stock still. The starter rebuked them and threatened to report them to the stewards. Reluctantly, the runners broke into a sedate jog, and it was Steve Donoghue who broke the impasse. Raising his whip, he cracked Nassovian - Elijah’s mount – a fearful blow across its quarters. Startled, the horse immediately shot clear with Steve in hot pursuit. Steve eventually won and, in the paddock, saw Elijah trying to rub out a very pronounced weal on his horse’s quarters.
Once, at the start of a four-horse race, Steve Donoghue said to him ‘Elijah, what about giving me a lead?’ Elijah replied that he had orders to wait. Steve tried the other two jockeys but got the same response. Consequently, when the starting barrier ascended, all four horses stood stock still. The starter rebuked them and threatened to report them to the stewards. Reluctantly, the runners broke into a sedate jog, and it was Steve Donoghue who broke the impasse. Raising his whip, he cracked Nassovian - Elijah’s mount – a fearful blow across its quarters. Startled, the horse immediately shot clear with Steve in hot pursuit. Steve eventually won and, in the paddock, saw Elijah trying to rub out a very pronounced weal on his horse’s quarters.
‘What am I going to tell the trainer when he sees me?’ asked Elijah.
‘What am I going to tell the trainer when he sees me?’ asked Elijah.
‘Just tell him you’ve been promoted to lance-corporal and have got your first stripe,’ replied Steve.
‘Just tell him you’ve been promoted to lance-corporal and have got your first stripe,’ replied Steve.
Illness kept Elijah out of the saddle for the majority of the 1923 season.
Illness kept Elijah out of the saddle for the majority of the 1923 season.
Big races won include:
Big races won include:
1903: Ascot Stakes - Genius
1903: Ascot Stakes - Genius
1906: Ayr Gold Cup - Cyrus
1906: Ayr Gold Cup - Cyrus
1912: Chesterfield Cup - Southannan
1912: Chesterfield Cup - Southannan
1912: Goodwood Cup - Tullibardie
1912: Goodwood Cup - Tullibardie
1913: Portland Handicap - Hornets Beauty
1913: Portland Handicap - Hornets Beauty
1919: Manchester November Handicap - King John
1919: Manchester November Handicap - King John
