Basil Foster
1926 - 2013
1926 - 2013
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Basil Foster made his mark as a National Hunt jockey and trainer but is arguably better known for setting apprentice jockey Davy Jones on the road to show-business stardom, firstly in the West End and then as a pop icon with the Monkees.
Basil Foster made his mark as a National Hunt jockey and trainer but is arguably better known for setting apprentice jockey Davy Jones on the road to show-business stardom, firstly in the West End and then as a pop icon with the Monkees.
Basil Selwyn Foster was born in Doncaster on September 5, 1926. He served his apprenticeship with Basil Jarvis at Newmarket but his fledgling career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the Veterinary Corps of the Royal British Army. He was based in Hamburg, Germany, to care for the horses and service animals commissioned for the war effort.
Basil Selwyn Foster was born in Doncaster on September 5, 1926. He served his apprenticeship with Basil Jarvis at Newmarket but his fledgling career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the Veterinary Corps of the Royal British Army. He was based in Hamburg, Germany, to care for the horses and service animals commissioned for the war effort.
He started as a professional from 1944 and although he held a Flat jockey’s licence in the late 1940s, it was over the jumps that he rode his winners, accumulating 19 in all. The first came on Drury Lady in the De Aston Maiden Hurdle at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, April 10, 1950.
He started as a professional from 1944 and although he held a Flat jockey’s licence in the late 1940s, it was over the jumps that he rode his winners, accumulating 19 in all. The first came on Drury Lady in the De Aston Maiden Hurdle at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, April 10, 1950.
Having spent time as assistant trainer to both Bill Marshall and Sid Warren, he took out a licence of his own in 1955, based at Rectory Farm in Enfield. He didn’t stay there long, moving to Newmarket’s Lansdown House, which was subsequently renamed Holland House in tribute to his first winner as a trainer, Joe Holland, whom he also rode, at Worcester on November 7, 1955.
Having spent time as assistant trainer to both Bill Marshall and Sid Warren, he took out a licence of his own in 1955, based at Rectory Farm in Enfield. He didn’t stay there long, moving to Newmarket’s Lansdown House, which was subsequently renamed Holland House in tribute to his first winner as a trainer, Joe Holland, whom he also rode, at Worcester on November 7, 1955.
Basil combined riding with training for about five years, enjoying success with the likes of juvenile hurdler Otterburn at Doncaster on November 24, 1956, and handicap hurdler Fluvius, at Uttoxeter on September 21, 1957. He also took an occasional ‘outside’ ride, such as when winning a three-mile handicap chase aboard Mass for Ken Bailey at Plumpton on Easter Monday 1957.
Basil combined riding with training for about five years, enjoying success with the likes of juvenile hurdler Otterburn at Doncaster on November 24, 1956, and handicap hurdler Fluvius, at Uttoxeter on September 21, 1957. He also took an occasional ‘outside’ ride, such as when winning a three-mile handicap chase aboard Mass for Ken Bailey at Plumpton on Easter Monday 1957.
He rode his final winner on Straight Lad in a Doncaster hurdle race on November 22, 1958, although he continued to hold a jump jockey’s licence until 1961.
He rode his final winner on Straight Lad in a Doncaster hurdle race on November 22, 1958, although he continued to hold a jump jockey’s licence until 1961.
Basil was instrumental in forming the career of one of the biggest names in pop music, getting apprentice jockey Davy Jones his big break in show business. Davy had arrived at Basil’s stables as a 13-year-old boy still grieving the loss of his mother. Learning to ride and being with the horses helped him to heal those wounds and empowered him to have the confidence he needed to go out into the world.
Basil was instrumental in forming the career of one of the biggest names in pop music, getting apprentice jockey Davy Jones his big break in show business. Davy had arrived at Basil’s stables as a 13-year-old boy still grieving the loss of his mother. Learning to ride and being with the horses helped him to heal those wounds and empowered him to have the confidence he needed to go out into the world.
Basil had the instinct to recognise Davy’s acting talent and introduced him to a theatrical agent who urged him to audition for the role of the Artful Dodger in the West End musical Oliver! Davy was reluctant to leave the stables because he wanted to be a jockey but Basil told him he had to go and use his talent – and one day, when he was famous, he could buy horses of his own and he would train them for him.
Basil had the instinct to recognise Davy’s acting talent and introduced him to a theatrical agent who urged him to audition for the role of the Artful Dodger in the West End musical Oliver! Davy was reluctant to leave the stables because he wanted to be a jockey but Basil told him he had to go and use his talent – and one day, when he was famous, he could buy horses of his own and he would train them for him.
Although primarily a jumps trainer, Basil sent out several handicap winners on the Flat, including Jeanne Michelle, who won Ascot’s Fern Hill Stakes in 1960. He also had a horse finish third in the Lincolnshire Handicap. Other good horses he trained included Straight Lad, Siren Light, Traffic Cop, Rockspring, Carrigeen Duff and Beau Chevalet.
Although primarily a jumps trainer, Basil sent out several handicap winners on the Flat, including Jeanne Michelle, who won Ascot’s Fern Hill Stakes in 1960. He also had a horse finish third in the Lincolnshire Handicap. Other good horses he trained included Straight Lad, Siren Light, Traffic Cop, Rockspring, Carrigeen Duff and Beau Chevalet.
In December 1963, Basil relocated his training operation from Newmarket to Lambourn. In 1966 he moved again, this time north to Middleham, where he continued to train until 1969.
In December 1963, Basil relocated his training operation from Newmarket to Lambourn. In 1966 he moved again, this time north to Middleham, where he continued to train until 1969.
It was long after the Monkees had become one of the big-name groups in pop music that Basil left Newmarket and emigrated to Canada and then, in 1978, to Indiantown, in Florida, where he worked in the Indiantown equestrian community.
It was long after the Monkees had become one of the big-name groups in pop music that Basil left Newmarket and emigrated to Canada and then, in 1978, to Indiantown, in Florida, where he worked in the Indiantown equestrian community.
And there would have been nobody prouder than Basil Foster when Davy Jones finally rode a winner, on Digpast in a one-mile amateur riders’ handicap on the all-weather at Lingfield on February 1, 1996.
And there would have been nobody prouder than Basil Foster when Davy Jones finally rode a winner, on Digpast in a one-mile amateur riders’ handicap on the all-weather at Lingfield on February 1, 1996.
Davy never lost touch with Basil and remained forever grateful to him for having set him on the road from Newmarket to Hollywood. The strong bond between the pair was maintained, with Basil living in one of Davy’s homes in Florida in later life until he was transferred to a care facility. Davy not only paid for Basil’s accommodation at the care facility, but he also visited him regularly and took him to visit his horses on the family ranch. He even named one of his colts Bazfoster after his mentor.
Davy never lost touch with Basil and remained forever grateful to him for having set him on the road from Newmarket to Hollywood. The strong bond between the pair was maintained, with Basil living in one of Davy’s homes in Florida in later life until he was transferred to a care facility. Davy not only paid for Basil’s accommodation at the care facility, but he also visited him regularly and took him to visit his horses on the family ranch. He even named one of his colts Bazfoster after his mentor.
Sadly, Davy Jones predeceased his mentor, suffering a fatal heart attack at the age of 66 in February 2012.
Sadly, Davy Jones predeceased his mentor, suffering a fatal heart attack at the age of 66 in February 2012.
Basil Foster passed away after a long illness in Palm City, Florida, on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, aged 86.
Basil Foster passed away after a long illness in Palm City, Florida, on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, aged 86.