Charles Wood

Charles Wood (1854–1945) was an English flat racing jockey.

Early career Born in the slums of Hull, he ran away aged 11, and became apprentice to Joseph Dawson in Newmarket, where he stayed for seven years. He won his first race in 1872 and was Champion Jockey in 1887. He stood second to Fred Archer for the preceding seven years, becoming champion the year after Fred died. He also rode the unbeaten St. Simon in his three-year-old year when that horse's usual jockey, Fred Archer, could no longer make the weight. Wood was warned off for nine years

Comeback After a high-profile campaign for his return, Wood finally got his licence back at the age of 42 and bounced back in some style, winning the Triple Crown on Galtee More in 1897. In 1898 he set up a training yard in East Sussex at Jevington and trained for Lord Rosebery, also setting up a yard for his son James. James was severely injured when torpedoed in the 1st World War and Charles sold his Jevington house and yard, and the estate village and retired to Eastbourne in 1919. When he died in Eastbourne in 1945, he left over £60,000.

He was a highly regarded jockey in his time, known as a "strong and competent lightweight" jockey and excellent judge of a race.