Percy Woodland was the 21-year-old jockey who rode Dumcree to victory in the 1903 Grand National.
Percy Woodland was the 21-year-old jockey who rode Dumcree to victory in the 1903 Grand National.
He was also aboard Covertcoat when that horse won the same race in 1913. Once again, Percy was somewhat fortunate to be the man on top; regular rider Ernie Piggott had broken his hand in a fall and Percy was recruited at the last minute.
He was also aboard Covertcoat when that horse won the same race in 1913. Once again, Percy was somewhat fortunate to be the man on top; regular rider Ernie Piggott had broken his hand in a fall and Percy was recruited at the last minute.
Named after the home of his dam in County Westmeath, Dumcree was sold by breeder Mr C Hope to Sir Charles Nugent who then trained the gelding at Cranborne in Dorset. It was intended that Sir Charles's son, Hugh, would ride - however, he was injured shortly before the race and the fortunate Percy was engaged.
Named after the home of his dam in County Westmeath, Dumcree was sold by breeder Mr C Hope to Sir Charles Nugent who then trained the gelding at Cranborne in Dorset. It was intended that Sir Charles's son, Hugh, would ride - however, he was injured shortly before the race and the fortunate Percy was engaged.
Percy, born in Hendon on April 5, 1882, was the son of a Hendon trainer, and had ridden his first winner when just 13 years of age.
Percy, born in Hendon on April 5, 1882, was the son of a Hendon trainer, and had ridden his first winner when just 13 years of age.
He rode uncannily short but had superb balance; this was borne out by the fact that he had the smallest per cent of falls of any steeplechase jockey riding.
He rode uncannily short but had superb balance; this was borne out by the fact that he had the smallest per cent of falls of any steeplechase jockey riding.
Percy celebrated his Grand National win by coming out the next day and riding the winners of the Liverpool Hurdle and the Champion Chase.
Percy celebrated his Grand National win by coming out the next day and riding the winners of the Liverpool Hurdle and the Champion Chase.
He was the champion jockey that year with 54 winners.
He was the champion jockey that year with 54 winners.
In May 1918, Percy was in captivity in Turkey. As a member of the R.N.A.S., he had been flying some 25 miles inland from Alexandretta, in the neighbourhood of Aleppo, on a hydroplane. Flying at a height of 5,000 feet, he suddenly became the object of heavy anti-aircraft fire. His plane was riddled, and his propeller shot away. Bullets tore into his knee; such was the agony that he fell into a merciful unconsciousness.
In May 1918, Percy was in captivity in Turkey. As a member of the R.N.A.S., he had been flying some 25 miles inland from Alexandretta, in the neighbourhood of Aleppo, on a hydroplane. Flying at a height of 5,000 feet, he suddenly became the object of heavy anti-aircraft fire. His plane was riddled, and his propeller shot away. Bullets tore into his knee; such was the agony that he fell into a merciful unconsciousness.
