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Gerald Wright
Gerald Wright
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Gerald Wright rode winners on both sides of the First World War and ended his career with a dozen victories.
Gerald Wright rode winners on both sides of the First World War and ended his career with a dozen victories.
Born in 1886, he finished second on his first ride when Red Plume was beaten a length by Bantry Bay at the end of the Club Members Handicap Chase at Ludlow on April 28, 1911. The winner was ridden by Jack Anthony, still an amateur at the time but well on his way to being one of the great jump jockeys of the 20th century.
Born in 1886, he finished second on his first ride when Red Plume was beaten a length by Bantry Bay at the end of the Club Members Handicap Chase at Ludlow on April 28, 1911. The winner was ridden by Jack Anthony, still an amateur at the time but well on his way to being one of the great jump jockeys of the 20th century.
Gerald never got another chance on Red Plume and had to wait until the meeting at Haydock Park on January 5, 1912 for his first success. This came when Calliope beat five rivals to claim the Culcheth Selling Handicap Chase, three lengths being the winning margin.
Gerald never got another chance on Red Plume and had to wait until the meeting at Haydock Park on January 5, 1912 for his first success. This came when Calliope beat five rivals to claim the Culcheth Selling Handicap Chase, three lengths being the winning margin.
He added two more wins before the year ended, then did slightly better in 1913 with four, including a double at Cartmel on Whit Monday, but his score dropped to two the following year when war broke out with Germany.
He added two more wins before the year ended, then did slightly better in 1913 with four, including a double at Cartmel on Whit Monday, but his score dropped to two the following year when war broke out with Germany.
Like many other jockeys he did not ride at all during the war years, but he returned afterwards and had three more successes, the last coming at Ludlow on February 18, 1920, when Little Willie II beat the Fly III, the only other finisher in an original field of eight, by five lengths in the Stewards’ Handicap Chase.
Like many other jockeys he did not ride at all during the war years, but he returned afterwards and had three more successes, the last coming at Ludlow on February 18, 1920, when Little Willie II beat the Fly III, the only other finisher in an original field of eight, by five lengths in the Stewards’ Handicap Chase.
At Bangor on April 9 that year, he finished first on My Royal in the Maelor Handicap Chase, beating Cyril’s Hope by a neck. However, Gordon Goswell, rider of the runner-up, lodged an objection to the winner on grounds of “interference jumping the last fence and that his jockey dismounted in the wrong place”. The stewards overruled the first part of the objection but sustained the second, hence My Royal was disqualified.
At Bangor on April 9 that year, he finished first on My Royal in the Maelor Handicap Chase, beating Cyril’s Hope by a neck. However, Gordon Goswell, rider of the runner-up, lodged an objection to the winner on grounds of “interference jumping the last fence and that his jockey dismounted in the wrong place”. The stewards overruled the first part of the objection but sustained the second, hence My Royal was disqualified.
Gerald’s final ride was at Ludlow on April 23, 1920, when Little Willie II finished third in the Whitchurch Handicap Chase.
Gerald’s final ride was at Ludlow on April 23, 1920, when Little Willie II finished third in the Whitchurch Handicap Chase.
Gerald Wright’s winners were, in chronological order.
Gerald Wright’s winners were, in chronological order.
1. Calliope, Haydock Park, January 5, 1912
1. Calliope, Haydock Park, January 5, 1912
2. Shavington Belle, Tarporley, April 17, 1912
2. Shavington Belle, Tarporley, April 17, 1912
3. Shavington Belle, Woore, April 18, 1912
3. Shavington Belle, Woore, April 18, 1912
4. Night Wind, Tarporley, April 2, 1913
4. Night Wind, Tarporley, April 2, 1913
5. Guitar, Cartmel, May 12, 1913
5. Guitar, Cartmel, May 12, 1913
6. Nigeria, Cartmel, May 12, 1913
6. Nigeria, Cartmel, May 12, 1913
7. Night wind, Hooton Park, December 26, 1913
7. Night wind, Hooton Park, December 26, 1913
8. Flyer, Leicester, February 3, 1914
8. Flyer, Leicester, February 3, 1914
9. Ruffle, Cartmel, June 1, 1914
9. Ruffle, Cartmel, June 1, 1914
10. My Royal, Haydock Park, December 20, 1919
10. My Royal, Haydock Park, December 20, 1919
11. Little Willie II, Haydock Park, January 10, 1920
11. Little Willie II, Haydock Park, January 10, 1920
12. Little Willie ll, Ludlow, February 18, 1920
12. Little Willie ll, Ludlow, February 18, 1920
Gordon Wright's final winner: Little Willie ll, Ludlow, February 18, 1920
Gordon Wright's final winner: Little Willie ll, Ludlow, February 18, 1920
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