Charlie Trigg

Charles George Trigg (5 January 1881 – 26 December 1945) was a British flat jockey of the early 20th century, winning The Oaks in 1910.

Early life

Trigg was born the illegitimate son of Ellen Trigg in Minsterworth, Gloucestershire, and baptised at the parish church on 13 February 1881. In a 1936 interview with the Gloucester Journal

Racing career Trigg won several renowned races during his career, including the Chester Cup in 1903 on Vendale, the Cesarewitch in 1906 on Mintagon, the Goodwood Cup in 1909 on Carrousel, and the Lincolnshire Handicap in 1911 on Mercutio. His only Classic success, however, was on Rosedrop, owned by Sir Arthur Bass, in The Oaks in 1910.

When Newbury Racecourse was opened on 26 September 1905, Charlie Trigg won the very first race at the circuit on Copper King and was presented with a gold-mounted whip to the value of £10.

In 1910 Trigg rode 95 winners, Jockeys from the UK and the British Empire were reported to have been interned in Austria in the early part of the war.

During his career, which was curtailed by the reduction in racing brought about by the First World War, he rode a total of 843 winners. Trigg made rides in the UK and occasionally in Ireland during the War, written in 1913 by Fred Godfrey and Billy Williams, and sung by Williams, namechecks Charlie Trigg among a dozen or so renowned jockeys of the day.

Career records Trigg’s 843 career race wins in the UK were achieved between 1902 and 1918.

1902: 47 wins from 238 races

1903: 85 wins from 378 races

1904: 61 wins from 642 races

1905: 46 wins from 523 races

1906: 63 wins from 555 races

1907: 53 wins from 539 races

1908: 77 wins from 670 races

1909: 78 wins from 700 races

1910: 95 wins from 702 races

1911: 111 wins from 733 races

1912: 60 wins from 618 races

1913: under contract to race in Austria: rode 43 winners in Austria; known to have made rides in the UK before and after the Austrian season

1916: 9 wins from 137 races

1917: not listed among the leading jockeys

1918: not listed among the leading jockeys

Personal life

On 30 March 1907 Trigg married Winifred Rhoda Maynard Davis, originally from Portishead in Somerset, at St Andrew’s Church, Westminster. whom she later married. The divorce caused headlines, with the court hearing evidence from the Triggs’ housekeeper at their Dulwich home to support the allegations against Mrs Trigg. and Fremington, Devon.

Later life and death

After his divorce, Trigg lost his wealth, returned to Gloucestershire and is reported to have died a pauper in December 1945. His funeral was held at Minsterworth Church, and the service was officiated by his son-in-law, Rev Peter Pearson.