Jack Foster
Jack Foster
Jack Foster
1882 -1939
1882 -1939
Amateur rider John Bentley Foster – familiarly known as Jack – was born in June 1882 at Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, the son of Leonard Foster and Agnes Foster (nee Bentley). He rode 86 winners under National Hunt rules between 1905 and 1914.
Amateur rider John Bentley Foster – familiarly known as Jack – was born in June 1882 at Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, the son of Leonard Foster and Agnes Foster (nee Bentley). He rode 86 winners under National Hunt rules between 1905 and 1914.
He rode for the first time under NH rules when finishing unplaced on Burringham in the Tally-Ho Sweepstakes Hurdle over two-and-a-half miles at Wetherby on Easter Monday, April 4, 1904. He achieved his first win on Sir Vagrant when dead-heating for the prestigiously-titled Grand Ducal Cup Hurdle at Keele Park on October 26, 1905.
He rode for the first time under NH rules when finishing unplaced on Burringham in the Tally-Ho Sweepstakes Hurdle over two-and-a-half miles at Wetherby on Easter Monday, April 4, 1904. He achieved his first win on Sir Vagrant when dead-heating for the prestigiously-titled Grand Ducal Cup Hurdle at Keele Park on October 26, 1905.
He enjoyed a memorable afternoon at Brocklesby Hunt Steeplechases on April 18, 1906, winning three races. After landing the two-mile Match Steeplechase on Burringham, he added the Lady Yarborough’s Cup on Eastertide, then dead-heated for the Brocklesby Selling Chase on Sir Vagrant.
He enjoyed a memorable afternoon at Brocklesby Hunt Steeplechases on April 18, 1906, winning three races. After landing the two-mile Match Steeplechase on Burringham, he added the Lady Yarborough’s Cup on Eastertide, then dead-heated for the Brocklesby Selling Chase on Sir Vagrant.
Jack was consistently among the winners during the next few seasons, riding 12 in 1908, 13 in 1909, 11 in 1910 and 9 in 1911 before his most successful year in 1912 with 17 wins. His 1912 haul included two more grandly-titled – though not particularly valuable – races, namely the United Kingdom Chase at Manchester in April and the Scottish Military Cup at Perth in September, both of them on Last Beck. He finished that year in fourth place in the amateur riders’ table.
Jack was consistently among the winners during the next few seasons, riding 12 in 1908, 13 in 1909, 11 in 1910 and 9 in 1911 before his most successful year in 1912 with 17 wins. His 1912 haul included two more grandly-titled – though not particularly valuable – races, namely the United Kingdom Chase at Manchester in April and the Scottish Military Cup at Perth in September, both of them on Last Beck. He finished that year in fourth place in the amateur riders’ table.
He was particularly successful around Wetherby, amassing a total of 15 wins there. Fittingly, it was at Wetherby that he ended his time in the saddle, leaving the scene in perfect style when riding Puffing Billy to victory in the Tally-Ho Hurdle on June 1st, 1914.
He was particularly successful around Wetherby, amassing a total of 15 wins there. Fittingly, it was at Wetherby that he ended his time in the saddle, leaving the scene in perfect style when riding Puffing Billy to victory in the Tally-Ho Hurdle on June 1st, 1914.
Jack Foster died in York on September 2nd, 1939, aged 57.
Jack Foster died in York on September 2nd, 1939, aged 57.
Jack's first win: a dead heat on Sir Vagrant at Keele Park
Jack's first win: a dead heat on Sir Vagrant at Keele Park
Jack lands a treble at Brocklesby: Burringham, Eastertide & Sir Vagrant
Jack lands a treble at Brocklesby: Burringham, Eastertide & Sir Vagrant