Ernest Perkins (1896-1941)
"Doctor" "The Doc"
When Ernest Perkins died in 1941, John Mordecai, himself a noted turfite, wrote a tribute to the outstanding jockey.
on Foxhall, at Knutsford Park, December 1919
Daily Gleaner, February 17, 1941
By MUSKET [John Mordecai]
News of Ernest Perkins' death saddened thousands over the week-end, thousands not necessarily connected with racing, this little gentleman's fame and character having earned him an affection among his countrymen beyond the comparatively narrow limits of racing interests.
His name throughout his 30 years of race riding stood for quality which accompany eminence in all spheres of activity - impeccable honesty, loyalty and complete absorption in the calling of which he was for decades the leading local exponent.
Our sadness at his loss is therefore deepened by the knowledge that talents so liberally spent brought so little of material comfort.
Yesterday's funeral illustrated the scope of the popularity and respect which our countryman earned. The sighs of "Poor Doctor" found sympathy in every heart. Life
brought him so little. His health was never really robust. For many years, even while we were applauding him as the "Pocket Hercules" and "The little man on springs,"
Doctor was having his desperate private struggle with asthma and kidney trouble.
How bravely he faced and overcame these difficulties we well know. Frequent accidents and long illnesses drained his strength. In the closing years of his life little
was left but his spirit, but that sufficed to keep him at the top of the ladder.
Perkins' life story is a pattern to all who follow his calling. No attempt can be made to sketch it here, only to pay tribute to an exhausted but unconquered hero. Little more than a month ago we saw him win the closing races of each of the last three days of the Knutsford Carnival, He rode his first winner before the majority of those who acclaimed him were born. In between were remarkable triumphs too numerous to mention. His fame extended to other West Indian islands and to Central America, whence he returned from a successful tour only two months ago. In 1933 he rode Black Amber in England. Everywhere Perkins increased his country's prestige.
Comment on Perkins' merit, prompted in 1936 by his serious, accident which by all standards of reason should have closed his career, bears repetition here:
"Few men in any walk of life are privileged to earn and keep public affection in quite the manner that the inimitable 'Doctor' has done. He never spared himself in his service to the public. He rode here, there, everywhere. He was the public choice in the Grand Prize as well as the Country Fair meeting. Of cautious temper he would yet, time and again, expose his person and his fame to risks that might, to one of greater discrimination, have been avoided. His loyalty, his honesty deserves much."
We join with others in paying this tribute to a great and lovable little man. May he rest in peace.
