John Joicey Straker was born in Northumberland on April 30, 1917, and was the son of Major Ian Straker (1888-1970) who rode 31 winners as an amateur.
John rode many winners as an amateur including Ballyhartfield in the 1949 Foxhunters' at Aintree (the only horse to finish without falling).
He rode four times in the National, finishing sixth on his own mare, Gentle Moya.
At Perth, in 1960, riding Much Improved, John broke his neck and was paralysed.
John's brother, Clive, (1926-1980) rode 108 winners.
John Straker died on July 29, 1970. He left £207,863.