Tony Potts
Tony Potts
Tony Potts
Antony William Potts was born on October 24, 1937, the son of George Potts, who at that time was head man and jumps jockey for trainer Billy Smallwood, based at Racecourse House, Swinton, near Mexborough, in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
Antony William Potts was born on October 24, 1937, the son of George Potts, who at that time was head man and jumps jockey for trainer Billy Smallwood, based at Racecourse House, Swinton, near Mexborough, in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
George had served his apprenticeship with Gerald Armstrong and first held an apprentice jockey’s licence in 1925. His first ride in public was a winner, Sir George Wrenish’s Crystal Set at Redcar on May 24, 1926. He went on to ride successfully in France before returning to England to ride as a jumps jockey, initially for Middleham trainer John Harper and then for Smallwood. He fathered two sons, Anthony William and Allen Geoffrey, both of whom would themselves go on to ride winners under NH Rules.
George had served his apprenticeship with Gerald Armstrong and first held an apprentice jockey’s licence in 1925. His first ride in public was a winner, Sir George Wrenish’s Crystal Set at Redcar on May 24, 1926. He went on to ride successfully in France before returning to England to ride as a jumps jockey, initially for Middleham trainer John Harper and then for Smallwood. He fathered two sons, Anthony William and Allen Geoffrey, both of whom would themselves go on to ride winners under NH Rules.
George was heavily involved in Smallwood’s training operation and played a major part in the successes of both his Lincolnshire Handicap winners, Squadron Castle in 1939, and 100-1 shot Jockey Treble in 1947. His last season as a jumps jockey was in 1951/52. He took out a trainer’s licence in March 1952, succeeding Smallwood at Racecourse House, Swinton, on what was once Rotherham racecourse.
George was heavily involved in Smallwood’s training operation and played a major part in the successes of both his Lincolnshire Handicap winners, Squadron Castle in 1939, and 100-1 shot Jockey Treble in 1947. His last season as a jumps jockey was in 1951/52. He took out a trainer’s licence in March 1952, succeeding Smallwood at Racecourse House, Swinton, on what was once Rotherham racecourse.
Tony was in the saddle as soon as he could walk, gaining experience with racehorses, travelling at a racing pace. He served his apprenticeship with his father and took out a jump jockey’s licence for the 1956/57 season. He had his first three rides on a three-year-old hurdler named Blackpool Stanleys, named after the two famous Blackpool Stanleys – Matthews and Mortensen – who excelled in the 1953 FA Cup Final against Bolton Wanderers.
Tony was in the saddle as soon as he could walk, gaining experience with racehorses, travelling at a racing pace. He served his apprenticeship with his father and took out a jump jockey’s licence for the 1956/57 season. He had his first three rides on a three-year-old hurdler named Blackpool Stanleys, named after the two famous Blackpool Stanleys – Matthews and Mortensen – who excelled in the 1953 FA Cup Final against Bolton Wanderers.
His first ride on Blackpool Stanleys, at Southwell on October 15, 1956, resulted in an eleventh-place finish, but the pair fared much better on their second outing together when dead-heating for third place at Market Rasen five days later. They then finished ninth at Doncaster in November.
His first ride on Blackpool Stanleys, at Southwell on October 15, 1956, resulted in an eleventh-place finish, but the pair fared much better on their second outing together when dead-heating for third place at Market Rasen five days later. They then finished ninth at Doncaster in November.
He rode his first winner on Swanland Prince in a Leicester selling hurdle for Doncaster trainer Harry Maw on February 9, 1959. Three months later, on May 23, Tony married Joyce, who bore him a daughter, Gillian, and a son, Timothy, who would eventually follow his father and grandfather by riding under NH Rules.
He rode his first winner on Swanland Prince in a Leicester selling hurdle for Doncaster trainer Harry Maw on February 9, 1959. Three months later, on May 23, Tony married Joyce, who bore him a daughter, Gillian, and a son, Timothy, who would eventually follow his father and grandfather by riding under NH Rules.
Tony’s brother Allen only rode for two seasons, 1959/60 and 60/61, achieving his sole winner on his father’s grey gelding Young Winnie in the Dickinson Maiden Handicap Chase at Market Rasen on December 27, 1960.
Tony’s brother Allen only rode for two seasons, 1959/60 and 60/61, achieving his sole winner on his father’s grey gelding Young Winnie in the Dickinson Maiden Handicap Chase at Market Rasen on December 27, 1960.
It was more than four years between Tony’s first winner, Swanland Prince, and his second, Farimole in a handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter on May 25, 1963. He rode two winners in 1963/64, including his first over fences on 15-year-old Clanyon, a useful chaser in his time whose victories included the Jerry M Chase at Lingfield, Manchester’s Victory Chase and Aintree’s Topham Trophy.
It was more than four years between Tony’s first winner, Swanland Prince, and his second, Farimole in a handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter on May 25, 1963. He rode two winners in 1963/64, including his first over fences on 15-year-old Clanyon, a useful chaser in his time whose victories included the Jerry M Chase at Lingfield, Manchester’s Victory Chase and Aintree’s Topham Trophy.
Having drawn a blank in 1964/65, Tony resumed winning ways with three successes the following season, although he had to wait until Easter Monday 1966 before opening his account on the now 12-year-old Young Winnie, trained by his father, the 20-1 outsider of seven runners in a handicap chase at Market Rasen.
Having drawn a blank in 1964/65, Tony resumed winning ways with three successes the following season, although he had to wait until Easter Monday 1966 before opening his account on the now 12-year-old Young Winnie, trained by his father, the 20-1 outsider of seven runners in a handicap chase at Market Rasen.
Gunthorpe, Nottinghamshire trainer Peter Green provided Tony with both of his others winners that term – at opposite ends of the country – selling hurdler Tele-Bingo at Hexham and handicap hurdler Ocaretto at Wye. Green also supplied Tony’s two winners in 1966/67, both of them coming on the veteran grey hurdler Copes Cross, at Market Rasen in October and Doncaster in November.
Gunthorpe, Nottinghamshire trainer Peter Green provided Tony with both of his others winners that term – at opposite ends of the country – selling hurdler Tele-Bingo at Hexham and handicap hurdler Ocaretto at Wye. Green also supplied Tony’s two winners in 1966/67, both of them coming on the veteran grey hurdler Copes Cross, at Market Rasen in October and Doncaster in November.
Tony finally lost his 7lb claim when riding the tenth winner of his career on Steve Norton’s Wave-On at Wetherby on October 7, 1967. Norton also provided his next winner, O.K. Fighter at Ayr in February 1968, while an Easter Monday Wetherby victory on Eddie Magner’s Johns Key completed his three-winner haul for the season.
Tony finally lost his 7lb claim when riding the tenth winner of his career on Steve Norton’s Wave-On at Wetherby on October 7, 1967. Norton also provided his next winner, O.K. Fighter at Ayr in February 1968, while an Easter Monday Wetherby victory on Eddie Magner’s Johns Key completed his three-winner haul for the season.
He rode an early winner at Fakenham in September 1968 but had to wait until the last day of May 1969 for his only other success of that season, on selling hurdler Valairon at Market Rasen. Valairon was trained by Cliff Boothman, who was still riding at that time despite being well into his 50s. His career as a jockey ended tragically when he broke his back in a Boxing Day fall at Wetherby in 1970.
He rode an early winner at Fakenham in September 1968 but had to wait until the last day of May 1969 for his only other success of that season, on selling hurdler Valairon at Market Rasen. Valairon was trained by Cliff Boothman, who was still riding at that time despite being well into his 50s. His career as a jockey ended tragically when he broke his back in a Boxing Day fall at Wetherby in 1970.
Two other trainer-cum-jockeys supplied Tony’s three winners for 1969/70: Jack Berry’s Camasco won a brace of Kelso selling hurdles, while Basil Richmond’s Mystery Lad scored for him at Southwell.
Two other trainer-cum-jockeys supplied Tony’s three winners for 1969/70: Jack Berry’s Camasco won a brace of Kelso selling hurdles, while Basil Richmond’s Mystery Lad scored for him at Southwell.
The 1970/71 season was Tony’s best with five winners from 83 rides, the first four of those coming courtesy of Jack Berry. His selling hurdler Zemander started the ball rolling, winning twice within four days at Newcastle and Wetherby, then selling chaser Gameone obliged twice within six days at Ludlow and Huntingdon. His fifth and, as it turned out, final winner came on Gitchemanito in a selling hurdle at Nottingham on May 18, 1971 for Beningbrough, Yorkshire permit holder Colin Perkins.
The 1970/71 season was Tony’s best with five winners from 83 rides, the first four of those coming courtesy of Jack Berry. His selling hurdler Zemander started the ball rolling, winning twice within four days at Newcastle and Wetherby, then selling chaser Gameone obliged twice within six days at Ludlow and Huntingdon. His fifth and, as it turned out, final winner came on Gitchemanito in a selling hurdle at Nottingham on May 18, 1971 for Beningbrough, Yorkshire permit holder Colin Perkins.
At Market Rasen on Saturday, July 31, 1971, in the very first race on the very first day of the new season, the hooded Roger’s Bet fell at the very first hurdle, ending the riding career of Tony Potts in the process. Tony suffered compound fractures of his right leg and ankle. He endured a torrid time. The leg became infected, meaning that it was a month before surgeons at Rotherham Hospital could operate. At one point it looked distinctly possible that the leg might have to be amputated. Bone was grafted onto his ankle and a steel plate was fitted from the ankle to the knee, pinned all the way up.
At Market Rasen on Saturday, July 31, 1971, in the very first race on the very first day of the new season, the hooded Roger’s Bet fell at the very first hurdle, ending the riding career of Tony Potts in the process. Tony suffered compound fractures of his right leg and ankle. He endured a torrid time. The leg became infected, meaning that it was a month before surgeons at Rotherham Hospital could operate. At one point it looked distinctly possible that the leg might have to be amputated. Bone was grafted onto his ankle and a steel plate was fitted from the ankle to the knee, pinned all the way up.
He eventually recovered and set up as a trainer, based at Manor Stables, Horkstow, near Barton-on-Humber and sent out his first runners in September 1974. He continued to train there for the next 20 years, his string averaging around a dozen, achieving a moderate level of success before relinquishing his licence.
He eventually recovered and set up as a trainer, based at Manor Stables, Horkstow, near Barton-on-Humber and sent out his first runners in September 1974. He continued to train there for the next 20 years, his string averaging around a dozen, achieving a moderate level of success before relinquishing his licence.
Tony Potts’ 22 winners as a jockey were in chronological order:
Tony Potts’ 22 winners as a jockey were in chronological order:
1. Swanland Prince, Leicester, February 8, 1959
1. Swanland Prince, Leicester, February 8, 1959
2. Farimole, Uttoxeter, May 25, 1963
2. Farimole, Uttoxeter, May 25, 1963
3. Clanyon, Chepstow, October 26, 1963
3. Clanyon, Chepstow, October 26, 1963
4. Chouchou II, Warwick, November 28, 1963
4. Chouchou II, Warwick, November 28, 1963
5. Young Winnie, Market Rasen, April 11, 1966
5. Young Winnie, Market Rasen, April 11, 1966
6. Tele-Bingo, Hexham, April 25, 1966
6. Tele-Bingo, Hexham, April 25, 1966
7. Ocaretto, Wye, May 18, 1966
7. Ocaretto, Wye, May 18, 1966
8. Copes Cross, Market Rasen, October 8, 1966
8. Copes Cross, Market Rasen, October 8, 1966
9. Copes Cross, Doncaster, November 18, 1966
9. Copes Cross, Doncaster, November 18, 1966
10. Wave-On, Wetherby, October 7, 1967
10. Wave-On, Wetherby, October 7, 1967
11. O.K. Fighter, Ayr, February 10, 1968
11. O.K. Fighter, Ayr, February 10, 1968
12. John’s Key, Wetherby, April 15, 1968
12. John’s Key, Wetherby, April 15, 1968
13. Weather Smile, Fakenham, September 14, 1968
13. Weather Smile, Fakenham, September 14, 1968
14. Valairon, Market Rasen, May 31, 1969
14. Valairon, Market Rasen, May 31, 1969
15. Camasco, Kelso, December 16, 1969
15. Camasco, Kelso, December 16, 1969
16. Camasco, Kelso, March 12, 1970
16. Camasco, Kelso, March 12, 1970
17. Mystery Lad, Southwell, March 26, 1970
17. Mystery Lad, Southwell, March 26, 1970
18. Zemander. Newcastle, November 27, 1970
18. Zemander. Newcastle, November 27, 1970
19. Zemander, Wetherby, December 1, 1970
19. Zemander, Wetherby, December 1, 1970
20. Gameone, Ludlow, March 3, 1971
20. Gameone, Ludlow, March 3, 1971
21. Gameone, Huntingdon, March 9, 1971
21. Gameone, Huntingdon, March 9, 1971
22. Gitchemanito, Nottingham, May 18, 1971
22. Gitchemanito, Nottingham, May 18, 1971
Having scored at Kelso, Fakenham, Wye and Chepstow, Tony really could claim to have ridden winners north, east, south and west – and in three different countries too!
Having scored at Kelso, Fakenham, Wye and Chepstow, Tony really could claim to have ridden winners north, east, south and west – and in three different countries too!