Jimmy Powell
1922 - 2009
1922 - 2009
Photo shows Jimmy Power wearing the colours of Freebooter's owner, Mrs Lurline Brotherton. Courtesy of Chris Pitt
Photo shows Jimmy Power wearing the colours of Freebooter's owner, Mrs Lurline Brotherton. Courtesy of Chris Pitt
James Joseph Power was born in Waterford in Ireland on November 8, 1922, and was the jockey who rode Freebooter to a magnificent win in the 1950 Grand National.
James Joseph Power was born in Waterford in Ireland on November 8, 1922, and was the jockey who rode Freebooter to a magnificent win in the 1950 Grand National.
Power was forced to give up riding after a 25-year career in 1964 due to a failing memory that could be traced back to having previously fractured his skull in a fall.
Power was forced to give up riding after a 25-year career in 1964 due to a failing memory that could be traced back to having previously fractured his skull in a fall.
Instead of joining the training ranks, Power subsequently turned his attention to farming, but continued to ride-out for Pat Rohan in Malton.
Instead of joining the training ranks, Power subsequently turned his attention to farming, but continued to ride-out for Pat Rohan in Malton.
Like many leading jump jockeys, Power began life on the Flat, but grew too heavy.
Like many leading jump jockeys, Power began life on the Flat, but grew too heavy.
After the war - having had his last ride in Ireland at Bellewstown on July 2, 1947 - he took the advice of Tim Molony and came to Britain to join John Stewart Wright in Grantshouse, Berwickshire, Scotland.
After the war - having had his last ride in Ireland at Bellewstown on July 2, 1947 - he took the advice of Tim Molony and came to Britain to join John Stewart Wright in Grantshouse, Berwickshire, Scotland.
Wright's owners included Colonel Lord Joicey, and it was in his pink and olive green colours that Power first rode on an English racecourse, finishing second on Paintbox. Later that season, Power got Paintbox home first (at Hexham) plus he won on the 20/1 shot Scotch Muffler at Haydock.
Wright's owners included Colonel Lord Joicey, and it was in his pink and olive green colours that Power first rode on an English racecourse, finishing second on Paintbox. Later that season, Power got Paintbox home first (at Hexham) plus he won on the 20/1 shot Scotch Muffler at Haydock.
In March, 1949, Wright offered Power the ride on stable second-string Clyduffe. Dick Curran was engaged to ride the stable's better fancied Ulster Monarch. After making something of a pig's-ear of it when just about getting over Becher's first time round, Power rode on to eventually finish tenth behind Russian Hero.
In March, 1949, Wright offered Power the ride on stable second-string Clyduffe. Dick Curran was engaged to ride the stable's better fancied Ulster Monarch. After making something of a pig's-ear of it when just about getting over Becher's first time round, Power rode on to eventually finish tenth behind Russian Hero.
At about this time he began riding on a regular basis for Bobby Renton in Yorkshire for whom Power won the 1950 Grand National aboard Freebooter, although in later years he could remember very little about his biggest wins.
At about this time he began riding on a regular basis for Bobby Renton in Yorkshire for whom Power won the 1950 Grand National aboard Freebooter, although in later years he could remember very little about his biggest wins.
However it was an eventful victory as Freebooter stood too far back at the Chair, crashed through it, and catapulted Power between his ears and causing him to lose his irons momentarily. Power also had a piece of good fortune when long-time leader Cloncarrig fell at the second last when travelling well, leaving Freebooter to come home clear.
However it was an eventful victory as Freebooter stood too far back at the Chair, crashed through it, and catapulted Power between his ears and causing him to lose his irons momentarily. Power also had a piece of good fortune when long-time leader Cloncarrig fell at the second last when travelling well, leaving Freebooter to come home clear.
Interviewed in later years, Power said: "Although I can't remember much about it now, it was the highlight of my career. The National is the race every jump jockey wants to win."
Interviewed in later years, Power said: "Although I can't remember much about it now, it was the highlight of my career. The National is the race every jump jockey wants to win."
Although he also won a Scottish National on the Renton-trained Flagrant Mac in 1952, the second leg of Power's big-chase double, aboard Limber Hill, was for Malton trainer Bill Dutton. In what proved an extremely fruitful 1955/56 season, Limber Hill won both King George and Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Although he also won a Scottish National on the Renton-trained Flagrant Mac in 1952, the second leg of Power's big-chase double, aboard Limber Hill, was for Malton trainer Bill Dutton. In what proved an extremely fruitful 1955/56 season, Limber Hill won both King George and Cheltenham Gold Cup.
His racing days behind him, he became a farmer in North Yorkshire where he died, at home, in April 2009, aged 86.
His racing days behind him, he became a farmer in North Yorkshire where he died, at home, in April 2009, aged 86.
Grand National winner: Freebooter (1950)
Grand National winner: Freebooter (1950)
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner: Limber Hill (1956)
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner: Limber Hill (1956)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1949: Grand Sefton Chase – Freebooter
1949: Grand Sefton Chase – Freebooter
1950: Great Yorkshire Chase – Freebooter
1950: Great Yorkshire Chase – Freebooter
1950: Grand Sefton Chase – Freebooter
1950: Grand Sefton Chase – Freebooter
1952: Scottish Grand National – Flagrant Mac
1952: Scottish Grand National – Flagrant Mac
1952: Molyneux Chase – Little Yid
1952: Molyneux Chase – Little Yid
1953: Victory Chase – Tudor Line
1953: Victory Chase – Tudor Line
1955: Emblem Chase – Limber Hill
1955: Emblem Chase – Limber Hill
1955: King George VI Chase – Limber Hill
1955: King George VI Chase – Limber Hill
1956: Topham Trophy Chase – John Jacques
1956: Topham Trophy Chase – John Jacques
1956: Lancashire Chase – Pippykin
1956: Lancashire Chase – Pippykin
1957: Molyneux Chase – Bollinger
1957: Molyneux Chase – Bollinger