John Poletti
South-west based National Hunt jockey John Poletti was born in 1876 and rode a total of 33 winners over the jumps. He also took part in the 1901 Grand National.
South-west based National Hunt jockey John Poletti was born in 1876 and rode a total of 33 winners over the jumps. He also took part in the 1901 Grand National.
He made an unspectacular start to his race-riding career, finishing a tailed off last of three on Ruisenor in the three-mile Bowden and Blagdon Chase at Totnes on September 10, 1896. He rode his first winner on 8-1 chance Minster, who scored a three-length success in the Maiden Hurdle at Windsor on January 12, 1898.
He made an unspectacular start to his race-riding career, finishing a tailed off last of three on Ruisenor in the three-mile Bowden and Blagdon Chase at Totnes on September 10, 1896. He rode his first winner on 8-1 chance Minster, who scored a three-length success in the Maiden Hurdle at Windsor on January 12, 1898.
If racegoers ever wanted a man on their side at Torquay’s annual two-day Easter fixture at the start of the 20th century, that man was John Poletti. It should also be remembered that it was by no means unusual – pretty much the norm, in fact – for horses to run twice at a two-day meeting, or even sometimes twice in one day.
If racegoers ever wanted a man on their side at Torquay’s annual two-day Easter fixture at the start of the 20th century, that man was John Poletti. It should also be remembered that it was by no means unusual – pretty much the norm, in fact – for horses to run twice at a two-day meeting, or even sometimes twice in one day.
In 1900 John won five races from six rides. On Easter Monday, April 16, he rode a double on Boa in the Tor Abbey Maiden Chase and Red Friar in the Stewards’ Chase and also finished second on Red Friar in the Torquay Selling Hurdle. He then registered a treble on the Tuesday on Boa in the Maidencombe Selling Hurdle, Firefiend in the Plodders’ Handicap Chase and Red Friar in the Hunters’ Chase.
In 1900 John won five races from six rides. On Easter Monday, April 16, he rode a double on Boa in the Tor Abbey Maiden Chase and Red Friar in the Stewards’ Chase and also finished second on Red Friar in the Torquay Selling Hurdle. He then registered a treble on the Tuesday on Boa in the Maidencombe Selling Hurdle, Firefiend in the Plodders’ Handicap Chase and Red Friar in the Hunters’ Chase.
On Easter Monday 1901 he rode a Torquay double on Hazelhuhn in the Ladies’ Handicap Hurdle and Boa in the West of England Handicap Chase. On the Tuesday he won the Maidencombe Selling Hurdle on Hazelhuhn but Boa narrowly failed to add to his previous day’s success when finishing second in the Torbay and South Devon Handicap Chase.
On Easter Monday 1901 he rode a Torquay double on Hazelhuhn in the Ladies’ Handicap Hurdle and Boa in the West of England Handicap Chase. On the Tuesday he won the Maidencombe Selling Hurdle on Hazelhuhn but Boa narrowly failed to add to his previous day’s success when finishing second in the Torbay and South Devon Handicap Chase.
On Easter Monday 1902 John rode Hazelhuhn to gain a repeat victory in the Ladies’ Handicap Hurdle, then on the Tuesday won the Maidencombe Selling Hurdle for a third successive year, this time on Cobbler II.
On Easter Monday 1902 John rode Hazelhuhn to gain a repeat victory in the Ladies’ Handicap Hurdle, then on the Tuesday won the Maidencombe Selling Hurdle for a third successive year, this time on Cobbler II.
Numerically, his best year was in 1901 when he rode ten winners. He had his only Grand National ride that same year, on 100-1 outsider Gossip, who was among the fallers.
Numerically, his best year was in 1901 when he rode ten winners. He had his only Grand National ride that same year, on 100-1 outsider Gossip, who was among the fallers.
John rode six winners in 1902 but then endured four fallow years before giving up in December 1906. He did not ride again until March 1912. He rode two winners in 1914, after which opportunities were restricted by the rigours of the First World War.
John rode six winners in 1902 but then endured four fallow years before giving up in December 1906. He did not ride again until March 1912. He rode two winners in 1914, after which opportunities were restricted by the rigours of the First World War.
Having returned to action when the war ended, John rode just one more winner, the 33rd and last of his career, on 4-1 chance Hopeful II in the Novices’ Hurdle at Newton Abbot on August 4, 1919. He had his final ride in public on 13-year-old veteran Fair Cause, who finished unplaced in the British Camp Handicap Chase at Colwall Park on March 19, 1923.
Having returned to action when the war ended, John rode just one more winner, the 33rd and last of his career, on 4-1 chance Hopeful II in the Novices’ Hurdle at Newton Abbot on August 4, 1919. He had his final ride in public on 13-year-old veteran Fair Cause, who finished unplaced in the British Camp Handicap Chase at Colwall Park on March 19, 1923.
