Henry Wilkins
Henry Wilkins
Henry Wilkins
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Henry Wilkins had a fairly brief career on the Flat at the turn of the 20th century, riding 45 winners between 1900 and 1907.
Henry Wilkins had a fairly brief career on the Flat at the turn of the 20th century, riding 45 winners between 1900 and 1907.
He served his apprenticeship with Edward Robson, who trained at Wantage, and had his first ride in public on Full Ripe, finishing unplaced in the Brocklesby Trial Stakes at Lincoln on March 21, 1899.
He served his apprenticeship with Edward Robson, who trained at Wantage, and had his first ride in public on Full Ripe, finishing unplaced in the Brocklesby Trial Stakes at Lincoln on March 21, 1899.
That looks to have been his only ride of the year, but 1900 was far more productive and saw him ride five winners, starting with a victory on Mr E. Courage’s four-year-old colt Walter Scott in the September Sale Handicap at Alexandra Park on September 15. The winning margin was only a neck; the runner-up, British Navy, was ridden by Sam Loates, champion jockey the previous year. According to the Sporting Life, the winner was “admirably handled” by his young jockey who came with a late challenge to win the race.
That looks to have been his only ride of the year, but 1900 was far more productive and saw him ride five winners, starting with a victory on Mr E. Courage’s four-year-old colt Walter Scott in the September Sale Handicap at Alexandra Park on September 15. The winning margin was only a neck; the runner-up, British Navy, was ridden by Sam Loates, champion jockey the previous year. According to the Sporting Life, the winner was “admirably handled” by his young jockey who came with a late challenge to win the race.
There were 10 wins in 1901, including a double at Birmingham on August 5, but 1902 was even better with 20 victories. There were further doubles, at Pontefract on July 9, Ripon on August 4, and Thirsk on October 23, but the big win eluded him, and 1903 – his first season as a professional – saw his score drop to just four.
There were 10 wins in 1901, including a double at Birmingham on August 5, but 1902 was even better with 20 victories. There were further doubles, at Pontefract on July 9, Ripon on August 4, and Thirsk on October 23, but the big win eluded him, and 1903 – his first season as a professional – saw his score drop to just four.
Like so many other jockeys, losing his apprentice’s allowance did not help his cause. After four more wins in 1904, he managed a solitary success in 1905, and he only had a few rides in the early part of 1906.
Like so many other jockeys, losing his apprentice’s allowance did not help his cause. After four more wins in 1904, he managed a solitary success in 1905, and he only had a few rides in the early part of 1906.
His final victory – his sole win of 1907 – came at Beverley on June 12 when King’s Courtship won the Welton Plate. This was also Henry’s last appearance on a British racecourse. He held a licence for 1908 but does not appear to have had any mounts that year.
His final victory – his sole win of 1907 – came at Beverley on June 12 when King’s Courtship won the Welton Plate. This was also Henry’s last appearance on a British racecourse. He held a licence for 1908 but does not appear to have had any mounts that year.
Henry's first win: Walter Scott at Alexandra Park, September 15 1900