Johnny Page
1844 - 1917
1844 - 1917
Red-haired Johnny Page was born at Bannister’s Farm, near Shirley (later known as Mount Dairy Farm, Chiswick Green), in Warwickshire on March 24, 1844, to parents Joseph (1817-1881) and Sarah (1817-1912) Page. Johnny was baptised at Tanworth-in-Arden on April 20, 1844.
Red-haired Johnny Page was born at Bannister’s Farm, near Shirley (later known as Mount Dairy Farm, Chiswick Green), in Warwickshire on March 24, 1844, to parents Joseph (1817-1881) and Sarah (1817-1912) Page. Johnny was baptised at Tanworth-in-Arden on April 20, 1844.
He spent the first ten years of his life at Bannister’s Farm before his family moved to Birmingham to run the Grand Turk pub in Bell Street, which also had a livery stable for hunters.
He spent the first ten years of his life at Bannister’s Farm before his family moved to Birmingham to run the Grand Turk pub in Bell Street, which also had a livery stable for hunters.
Joseph and Sarah later ran the Bull’s Head Hotel on Stratford Road in Hall Green. They instituted the Hall Green steeplechases meeting, which took place on their land, adjacent to the pub.
Joseph and Sarah later ran the Bull’s Head Hotel on Stratford Road in Hall Green. They instituted the Hall Green steeplechases meeting, which took place on their land, adjacent to the pub.
Johnny went to Meriden Street Elementary School, then a branch of King Edward VI’s Foundation. Aged 11, in 1855, Johnny – unable to read or write – left school, preferring to make himself useful in his father’s yard.
Johnny went to Meriden Street Elementary School, then a branch of King Edward VI’s Foundation. Aged 11, in 1855, Johnny – unable to read or write – left school, preferring to make himself useful in his father’s yard.
He then began riding his father’s hunters and, on April 1, 1856, won a race on Pat Manley at Inkford Brook, some eight miles from Birmingham. Johnny won the catch-weight race, run over four miles, by a length from the experienced jockey Mr C. Parker. It was only a week after his twelfth birthday.
He then began riding his father’s hunters and, on April 1, 1856, won a race on Pat Manley at Inkford Brook, some eight miles from Birmingham. Johnny won the catch-weight race, run over four miles, by a length from the experienced jockey Mr C. Parker. It was only a week after his twelfth birthday.
Reflecting on that day in later years, he told the ‘Sporting Chronicle’: “They made a great fuss of me as we drove back. They made a collection for me and gave me a sovereign, and when I looked at it I thought I should never want money any more. My dad was very pleased. They all said that I must go into a flat-racing stable.”
Reflecting on that day in later years, he told the ‘Sporting Chronicle’: “They made a great fuss of me as we drove back. They made a collection for me and gave me a sovereign, and when I looked at it I thought I should never want money any more. My dad was very pleased. They all said that I must go into a flat-racing stable.”
Young Johnny’s ambition was to be a jockey and he started riding his father’s ponies in pony races. He gained his first win on Pretty Boy at Sparkbrook, Birmingham on September 8, 1856.
Young Johnny’s ambition was to be a jockey and he started riding his father’s ponies in pony races. He gained his first win on Pretty Boy at Sparkbrook, Birmingham on September 8, 1856.
His father then got him an apprenticeship with Joseph Dawson at East Ilsley, in Berkshire, and he began his career on the Flat under Jockey Club rules. Johnny rode his first winner for Dawson on Madame Moet, at Liverpool on November 11, 1858. Two years later he won the Northumberland Plate on First Lord, who carried 5st 8lb. He also rode a good two-year-old, Tom Fool, in all its races.
His father then got him an apprenticeship with Joseph Dawson at East Ilsley, in Berkshire, and he began his career on the Flat under Jockey Club rules. Johnny rode his first winner for Dawson on Madame Moet, at Liverpool on November 11, 1858. Two years later he won the Northumberland Plate on First Lord, who carried 5st 8lb. He also rode a good two-year-old, Tom Fool, in all its races.
When Dawson moved to Newmarket, Johnny stayed on at East Ilsley and continued his apprenticeship with Joseph’s brother John Dawson.
When Dawson moved to Newmarket, Johnny stayed on at East Ilsley and continued his apprenticeship with Joseph’s brother John Dawson.
Because of increasing weight, he ceased riding in 1862 and began farming, based some 12 miles from Birmingham. However, he gave up after a year and took to the saddle again, this time as a steeplechase jockey.
Because of increasing weight, he ceased riding in 1862 and began farming, based some 12 miles from Birmingham. However, he gave up after a year and took to the saddle again, this time as a steeplechase jockey.
He rode his first jumps winner, Telegram, at Sutton Coldfield on February 15, 1864. He won his second race on the same horse the very next day. Soon afterwards, he gained his first win in France, aboard Pineapple.
He rode his first jumps winner, Telegram, at Sutton Coldfield on February 15, 1864. He won his second race on the same horse the very next day. Soon afterwards, he gained his first win in France, aboard Pineapple.
He had his first ride in the Grand National in 1865 riding Joe Maley. He had a total of eleven rides in the race and won it twice: on the Duke of Hamilton’s Cortolvin in 1867 and on Mr Teddy Brayley’s Casse Tete in 1872.
He had his first ride in the Grand National in 1865 riding Joe Maley. He had a total of eleven rides in the race and won it twice: on the Duke of Hamilton’s Cortolvin in 1867 and on Mr Teddy Brayley’s Casse Tete in 1872.
He was given £500 by the Duke of Hamilton for winning on Cortolvin. The Duke had bought the horse for £800 from Lord Poulett primarily on Johnny’s recommendation.
He was given £500 by the Duke of Hamilton for winning on Cortolvin. The Duke had bought the horse for £800 from Lord Poulett primarily on Johnny’s recommendation.
Teddy Brayley, who had made his money in the theatrical world, having started out as a Punch and Judy operator, bought the mare Casse Tate also on Johnny’s advice after he had ridden her to victory in a steeplechase at Croydon. Although she was quite slow, Johnny extolled her cleverness in jumping. Starting as 20/1 shots, Johnny and Casse Tete won the race with ease. Mr Brayley had reportedly told the jockey before the race that if the horse wasn’t placed, he would be ruined. In the event, he apparently received £100,000 in winnings. He rewarded Johnny for his victory with £600 plus a scarf pin. He was also given £100 from a grateful punter who had backed the winner.
Teddy Brayley, who had made his money in the theatrical world, having started out as a Punch and Judy operator, bought the mare Casse Tate also on Johnny’s advice after he had ridden her to victory in a steeplechase at Croydon. Although she was quite slow, Johnny extolled her cleverness in jumping. Starting as 20/1 shots, Johnny and Casse Tete won the race with ease. Mr Brayley had reportedly told the jockey before the race that if the horse wasn’t placed, he would be ruined. In the event, he apparently received £100,000 in winnings. He rewarded Johnny for his victory with £600 plus a scarf pin. He was also given £100 from a grateful punter who had backed the winner.
Johnny was among the foremost jump jockeys of his time, not only in England but also in France, winning the Grand Steeplechase de Paris twice, on La Viene (1875) and Wild Monarch (1878).
Johnny was among the foremost jump jockeys of his time, not only in England but also in France, winning the Grand Steeplechase de Paris twice, on La Viene (1875) and Wild Monarch (1878).
When jockey Harry Lamplugh was killed in a race fall in 1868, Johnny took over his stable in France and began training for the Duke of Hamilton. He then bought Conway Cottage in Chantilly and married his first wife, Mary Ashman, dividing his time between England and France, riding at home during the winter months and spending the summer in France.
When jockey Harry Lamplugh was killed in a race fall in 1868, Johnny took over his stable in France and began training for the Duke of Hamilton. He then bought Conway Cottage in Chantilly and married his first wife, Mary Ashman, dividing his time between England and France, riding at home during the winter months and spending the summer in France.
Johnny’s riding career ended soon after a near-fatal accident on Sunday, October 28, 1877, whilst riding a horse named Leona at Auteuil, France. He was taken to the Wallace Hospital in Paris and for several days his life hung in the balance. Although he recovered, his career as a jockey was at an end, and he devoted himself to training.
Johnny’s riding career ended soon after a near-fatal accident on Sunday, October 28, 1877, whilst riding a horse named Leona at Auteuil, France. He was taken to the Wallace Hospital in Paris and for several days his life hung in the balance. Although he recovered, his career as a jockey was at an end, and he devoted himself to training.
He retired from training in 1880, returned to England and took over Grove Farm at Hall Green. The following year he married his second wife, Sarah, presumably after Mary’s death. In 1889 they moved to Wylde Green, Sutton Coldfield, to run the Wylde Green Hotel, giving that up in 1898.
He retired from training in 1880, returned to England and took over Grove Farm at Hall Green. The following year he married his second wife, Sarah, presumably after Mary’s death. In 1889 they moved to Wylde Green, Sutton Coldfield, to run the Wylde Green Hotel, giving that up in 1898.
By December 1907, Johnny and Sarah Page were living at the Red House, Henley-in-Arden, and it was there that, aged 73, he died on June 7, 1917, Sarah having predeceased him three years earlier.
By December 1907, Johnny and Sarah Page were living at the Red House, Henley-in-Arden, and it was there that, aged 73, he died on June 7, 1917, Sarah having predeceased him three years earlier.
He left estate of £3,483 estate and was buried in the family grave at Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield, along with his wife and eldest son, John, an apprentice jockey who died, aged 17, of a fractured skull on September 5, 1890, following a fall on the Newmarket gallops the day before.
He left estate of £3,483 estate and was buried in the family grave at Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield, along with his wife and eldest son, John, an apprentice jockey who died, aged 17, of a fractured skull on September 5, 1890, following a fall on the Newmarket gallops the day before.
Johnny had three other sons: Thomas (1875-1956), a dairy farmer; Edward (1877-1964), who became a solicitor’s clerk; and Richard (1878-1961), a clerk who served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment during the First World War.
Johnny had three other sons: Thomas (1875-1956), a dairy farmer; Edward (1877-1964), who became a solicitor’s clerk; and Richard (1878-1961), a clerk who served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment during the First World War.
His biggest wins were:
His biggest wins were:
1860: Northumberland Plate – First Lord
1860: Northumberland Plate – First Lord
1867: Grand National – Cortolvin
1867: Grand National – Cortolvin
1867: Scottish Grand National – The Elk
1867: Scottish Grand National – The Elk
1868: Grand International Hurdle – Moose
1868: Grand International Hurdle – Moose
1869: Great Metropolitan Chase – Chevy Chase
1869: Great Metropolitan Chase – Chevy Chase
1871: Birmingham Grand Annual – Moose
1871: Birmingham Grand Annual – Moose
1872: Grand National – Casse Tete
1872: Grand National – Casse Tete
1875: Grand Steeplechase de Paris – La Veine
1875: Grand Steeplechase de Paris – La Veine
1878: Grand Steeplechase de Paris – Wild Monarch
1878: Grand Steeplechase de Paris – Wild Monarch
Article by Chas Hammond, with additional information provided by Solihull Library, Heritage & Local Studies.
Article by Chas Hammond, with additional information provided by Solihull Library, Heritage & Local Studies.
Johnny gained his first win in a pony race on Pretty Boy at Sparkbrook, Birmingham on September 8, 1856.
Johnny gained his first win in a pony race on Pretty Boy at Sparkbrook, Birmingham on September 8, 1856.
Johnny rode his first Flat winner on Madame Moet, at Liverpool on November 11 1858. In an extraordinary turn of events, Madame Moet, the celebrated proprietor of the Champagne vineyard and after whom the horse had been named, had met her death only a few days earlier after being bitten by a fly whilst gardening.
Johnny rode his first Flat winner on Madame Moet, at Liverpool on November 11 1858. In an extraordinary turn of events, Madame Moet, the celebrated proprietor of the Champagne vineyard and after whom the horse had been named, had met her death only a few days earlier after being bitten by a fly whilst gardening.
Johnny Page on 1872 Grand National winner Casse Tete.
Johnny Page on 1872 Grand National winner Casse Tete.