Tom Pagington

Tom Pagington

1889-1959

Article by Alan Trout

Thomas John Pagington achieved his solitary win over jumps in 1924.

Born in 1889, his first ride was at Wincanton on Easter Monday, April 17, 1922, when Swallow VIII finished second in the Blackmore Vale Handicap Chase. The six-year-old was receiving no less than 40lbs from the winner, Scotch Ben, ridden by that good amateur Major Geoffrey Phipps Hornby, but was still beaten by three lengths.

Tom had two more rides on Swallow VIII, which resulted in a fall and a second-place finish before the gelding was sold. Ironically, the gelding won a race later in the year when ridden by Major Phipps Hornby.

It was also on an Easter Monday, April 21, 1924 that Tom had his one win when 10/1 chance Razzle Dazzle landed the West of England Handicap Chase at Torquay, scoring by half a length from Flying Winkfield, the mount of Tom Moreau. 

He finished second twice on the gelding before the season ended, first at Monmouth on May 24, then at Colwall Park two days later. That latter effort at Colwall Park, in which they were beaten three-quarters of a length by Billy Stott on Miss Micawber, proved to be Tom’s last ride.