it wasn't long before his riding skills were noticed by his new employer, who gave him his first ride in a race at lincoln. not long after his debut he won his first race at leicester in march 1921. with the determination and single-mindedness that was his trademark, he achieved his dream of becoming a full-fledged jockey in 1925, and went on to become champion jockey in his first year, notching up 118 wins.