Gopi Selvaratham, horse trainer, read my article on Australian Jockeys Riding in Ceylon on my web site. He contacted me in early April 2019, to tell me that his father and grandfather, who were trainers in Ceylon, had used Australian jockeys since the 1930’s.
These jockeys rode for the family in India, Ceylonand in Pakistan. I have not heard mention of Australian jockeys riding in Pakistan, until now.
Dhruba, Gopi’s brother has recently published a book on his family’s horse racing legacy, which covers three generations. I received, on June 7 2019, a copy of this book. It has lots of wonderful photos in it along with the fascinating content. The book’s content also picks up the historical events within Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan, which had an impact on horse racing.
Colleen Rincheval’s late husband, John rode Red Down to victory in the Kings Cup in 1952 in Ceylon . The horse was trained by Gopi and Dhruba’s uncle.
John, in early 1952, also rode Ninyas in the Sabaragamuwa Plate , 1 mile at Colombo Racecourse for A. Selvaratnam, trainer, and owner Mr Wijeoinghe.
Rincheval and Ninyas, Colombo Ceylon 1952
The list of jockeys riding in Ceylon and India is growing longer. It is important that the jockeys are recorded in our racing history. These jockeys were some of Australia’s earliest international jockeys.
A May 2019 email to me from Carol Roberts of the Colo Shire Family History Group, talks of historical research she has completed recently on a Albert and Norman Wood ; both jockeys. Norman, the younger brother, rode in Ceylon and South Africa, where he achieved considerable success.
Norman most likely would have ridden in Ceylon during the 1920’s . A newspaper article talks of a hat trick in Ceylon in 1924. Norman was then involved with the Victorian Hunt Club, Victorian and Moonee Valley Polo Clubs, as well as being an official starter for Metropolitan Racing Clubs.
Some of the jockeys listed below did ride at Moorefield Racecourse, Kogarah.
CEYLON
ANNE’S LIST
Reg Cook (Billy Cook’s brother) Teddy Doon, Jimmy Foley, Ted Fordyce, Jimmy Hickey, Jack Parsons, John Rincheval, Alfie Smith, Frank Smith, Teddy Swinton, H. Young.
John Rincheval’s race books from Ceylon had a Benjamin and a Piers Burgess listed- no more details.
According to Dhruba , Henry Young and Benjamin were both Ceylonese jockeys.
INDIA
Edgar Britt rode for ten years for the Mararajah of Kolhapur and Mararajah of Baroda.
Billy Cook, Les Davis , Ted Fordyce.
From Graham Caves, racing historian, Wally Sibbritt rode in India (1920’s to 1940’s)
INFORMATION FROM EMAILS
An email from Tony Jones, dated May 15 2018 .
“Tony’s grandfather, Harold Jones rode in India for the Maharajah of Gwalior and others from 1934 to 1947. His daughter, Janine was with her parents in India at this time and knew Edgar Britt. She mentioned Jack Tate, George West and “Togo” Johnson. “
An email from Gaye Dwyer, dated September 10 2018
“My aunt told of her uncles who were jockeys riding in India, Charlie Cook , Albert Cook, and not certain if William rode there . Their nephew, Harold Jones did. “
INFORMATION FROM GOPI SELVARATNAM
1)Reg Cook 2) Ted Doon 3) Ted Fordyce 4) Peter Knuckey Snr (Western Australia) 5) Athol George Mulley 6) Charlie Perkins 7) Frank Smith 8) Bill Stevens (New Zealand)
INFORMATION FROM DHRUBA SELVARATNAM
1) Peter Burkhardt 2) Les Coles 3) Lionel Davison 4) Gil Dillon 5) Ted Doon 6) Ted Fordyce 7) Wayne Gibbons and his brother Kerry Gibbons 9) John Harbutt (Queensland) 10) Rod Kemp 11) Mervyn Moore 12) Athol George Mulley 13) Peter O’ Loughlin 14) Jack Raffaele 15) Bernard Rook 16) Len Sawyer 17) Frank Smith 18) Bill Wade (from Newcastle)
Any additional names of jockeys who rode in India , Ceylon , Pakistan , or in other overseas countries are most welcome.
Please forward an email to ko77582@bigpond.net.au.
POSTSCRIPT
Bill Wade is now 90, and I have tracked him down –Gopi and Dhruba have been provided with his contact details. Bill rode for their grandfather in Ceylon in 1954- 65 years ago!
ANNE FIELD
Kogarah , Sydney JUNE 20 2019
