James Charles Akehurst was born on September 12, 1958, and lived for a time at 18, Alder Close, Ridgeway, Heathfield.
James, aged 19, celebrated his first success aboard Tudor Jewel at Fontwell in late November 1977, and quickly followed up with a second on November 29 when winning on its stable-mate , Scots Gambol, at Plumpton.
He rode mostly on the Plumpton, Fontwell, Folkestone, Lingfield circuit.
After a reasonable career in the saddle, he turned to training and running a livery yard in Middleham. He was also for a time a flying groom for Godolphin.
James married Vera Kathleen on July 14, 1984.
Away from the saddle, James kept tropical fish.
His son, Joe, (left) became a National Hunt jockey.