Ep 109 - Ellen Chaloner - The Trailblazing Trainer

This special podcast is about a campaign to win recognition for one of horse racing’s unique and forgotten pioneers. Ellen Chaloner fought against high odds to become the first woman in Britain to be given a permit by the Jockey Club to train horses in 1886. She did so from her Newmarket stables, from where after only a year training she won a race at Royal Ascot. On her retirement she remained a regular racegoer in the Suffolk town until well into her nineties. She died in 1944 at the age of 98 and now lies in an unmarked grave in a cemetery opposite the Rowley Mile racecourse in the town. During the podcast I spoke to Ellen’s Great granddaughters Marietta Krikhaar, Susie Wilks and great great grandson Charlie Swan, the former nine time Irish champion jump jockey. I also consulted racing historians Dr Esther Harper and Tim Cox and sought the views of 21st century trainers Lucinda Russell and Gay Kelleway. A remarkable lady, born into a racing family who deserves to be recognised for her part in the history of horse racing. For more details about the campaign please contact - Marietta Krikhaar at - [email protected] #thetrailiblazingtrainer Please subscribe to us on Amazon Music, Apple podcasts, Google, Soundcloud, Spotify or Stitcher. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram @ThePaddandPav Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices