Guest, Joseph

Joe's first winner was Sampa in the Chatham Selling Handicap Hurdle at Wye on November 2, 1953. He went on to earn a reputation as the ‘iron man’ of the weighing room and rode around 300 winners over a career lasting 26 seasons. A fearless rider, he forged his reputation around the likes of Fontwell and Plumpton, where his never-say-die attitude earned him a following. He was highly rated by the great Fred Winter.

He won the 1960 Mildmay of Flete Chase on Devon Customer and rode outsider Heath Song to inflict a surprise defeat on Tingle Creek at Ascot in 1972.

He enjoyed a successful association with Polegate, Sussex trainer John Hooton in the 1960s and early 70s with horses such as Endless Folly, Quicksandy, Wise Endavour and, most notably, Flosuebarb, named after the owner’s mother, wife and sister. Joe won 17 times on Flosuebarb and was going well on her in the 1969 Grand National when falling two fences before Becher’s on the second circuit.

Joe rode in seven Grand Nationals altogether, finishing ninth on Endless Folly behind Red Rum and Crisp in 1973. 

His career was ended when he broke a leg in a fall at Worcester in April, 1979, the pain from which continued to trouble him in old age.

His son, James, was also a jumps jockey and rode as conditional for Fred Winter.

Joe Guest died at his home in Liphook, Hampshire, on Saturday, October 8, 2016, aged 85