He earned the nickname "Brownie" because of his pale complexion, which he put down to years of "existing on a cup of tea and hope".

[5] When World War I began, he was in Austria-Hungary, where he was champion jockey,[6] and fled to Romania disguised as a railway fireman.

He fled back to England as a result of the Russian Revolution, bringing with him a large amount of roubles, which were worthless in Britain.

[2] He was runner up in the Jockeys' Championship in 1918 and 1919 to Steve Donoghue who had the advantage of being able to ride at 8 stone compared to Carslake's near 9.

He was riding the Aga Khan III's horse Salmon Trout, who after winning the Princess of Wales's Stakes should have been favourite, but drifted wildly in the weeks before the race.

It was implied that Carslake was part of a plot to ensure the horse's defeat and the Doncaster stewards warned the jockey they were watching his riding.

In the event, Salmon Trout showed a terrific burst of speed one furlong from home, to pass Santorb and win by two lengths.

[2] In April 1927, riding a horse called Birthright at Newmarket, the colt bolted and covered 10 miles before Carslake was able to pull it up.

[7] He did not enjoy this, complaining that "the monotony is dreadful, having nothing to do except read the paper and dream of great times in the past.

[5] This was noticed as early as his Austria-Hungary days, when a Viennese newspaper commented, "He has an exceptionally fine pair of hands and a still finer head on his shoulders".

"She was a tired mare a hundred yards from home and Carslake fairly lifted her past the post.

[1] Carslake was a stylish dresser, with impeccable manners and an ability to mix easily with any level of society.