Jim Fraser
Jim Fraser, on the grey gelding Publicity, takes the water jump at Windsor in the Forest Chase in November 1939. Jumping second is William Redmond on Mixed Fruit ahead of Mr J. M. Dennis on Sorban.
Jim Fraser, on the grey gelding Publicity, takes the water jump at Windsor in the Forest Chase in November 1939. Jumping second is William Redmond on Mixed Fruit ahead of Mr J. M. Dennis on Sorban.
Jim Fraser
Jim Fraser
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
National Hunt jockey James (Jim) Fraser rode 15 winners between 1936 and 1940 and held a licence until the 1948/49 season.
National Hunt jockey James (Jim) Fraser rode 15 winners between 1936 and 1940 and held a licence until the 1948/49 season.
He opened his account at Cheltenham on November 18, 1936, when Kiang, trained by Tom Rayson at Headbourne Worthy, near Winchester, was a comfortable winner of the Cleeve Selling Chase by eight lengths. Jim was riding Kiang for the first time and went on to win two more races on the ten-year-old gelding before the end of the season, as well as taking a selling hurdle at Wolverhampton on the four-year-old Knight Of Mourne.
He opened his account at Cheltenham on November 18, 1936, when Kiang, trained by Tom Rayson at Headbourne Worthy, near Winchester, was a comfortable winner of the Cleeve Selling Chase by eight lengths. Jim was riding Kiang for the first time and went on to win two more races on the ten-year-old gelding before the end of the season, as well as taking a selling hurdle at Wolverhampton on the four-year-old Knight Of Mourne.
The following season started well, with eight wins by early December, including a further success on Kiang and three each on selling chaser Thanos and selling hurdler Culbertson. He recorded a double at Newton Abbot in September aboard Corn Law in the Ugbrooke Handicap Hurdle and Culbertson in the Ogwell Optional Selling Hurdle, both trained by Tom Rayson.
The following season started well, with eight wins by early December, including a further success on Kiang and three each on selling chaser Thanos and selling hurdler Culbertson. He recorded a double at Newton Abbot in September aboard Corn Law in the Ugbrooke Handicap Hurdle and Culbertson in the Ogwell Optional Selling Hurdle, both trained by Tom Rayson.
However, just when his career had really got going, it was halted in its tracks by an incident on New Year’s Day 1938, when riding Corn Law in the Streat Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton. Jim broke a leg when his mount was forced into the wing of a hurdle after being crowded out. He was taken to London Clinic Nursing Home. Corn Law was not injured and went on to win its next race. On Wednesday, January 19, Jim was able to get about on two walking sticks, and he returned home to complete his recovery.
However, just when his career had really got going, it was halted in its tracks by an incident on New Year’s Day 1938, when riding Corn Law in the Streat Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton. Jim broke a leg when his mount was forced into the wing of a hurdle after being crowded out. He was taken to London Clinic Nursing Home. Corn Law was not injured and went on to win its next race. On Wednesday, January 19, Jim was able to get about on two walking sticks, and he returned home to complete his recovery.
He was back in action four months later but found it hard to reignite his career. Almost two years elapsed before his final three victories, ending back where it began when Mixed Foursome won the Bristol Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on April 10, 1940. Two future leading trainers, George Owen on Glass Slipper and Frenchie Nicholson on Iceberg II, followed him home.
He was back in action four months later but found it hard to reignite his career. Almost two years elapsed before his final three victories, ending back where it began when Mixed Foursome won the Bristol Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on April 10, 1940. Two future leading trainers, George Owen on Glass Slipper and Frenchie Nicholson on Iceberg II, followed him home.
Although he returned for a couple of seasons after the war, he rode no more winners.
Although he returned for a couple of seasons after the war, he rode no more winners.
Jim Fraser’s winners were, in chronological order:
Jim Fraser’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Kiang, Cheltenham, November 18, 1936
1. Kiang, Cheltenham, November 18, 1936
2. Kiang, Newbury, December 31, 1936
2. Kiang, Newbury, December 31, 1936
3. Knight Of Mourne, Wolverhampton, March 9, 1937
3. Knight Of Mourne, Wolverhampton, March 9, 1937
4. Kiang, Cardiff, April 29, 1937
4. Kiang, Cardiff, April 29, 1937
5. Culbertson, Buckfastleigh, August 6, 1937
5. Culbertson, Buckfastleigh, August 6, 1937
6. Culbertson, Totnes, September 1, 1937
6. Culbertson, Totnes, September 1, 1937
7. Corn Law, Newton Abbot September 9, 1937
7. Corn Law, Newton Abbot September 9, 1937
8. Culbertson, Newton Abbot, September 9, 1937
8. Culbertson, Newton Abbot, September 9, 1937
9. Thanos, Wincanton, October 16, 1937
9. Thanos, Wincanton, October 16, 1937
10. Thanos, Hawthorn Hill, November 9, 1937
10. Thanos, Hawthorn Hill, November 9, 1937
11. Kiang, Newbury, December 2, 1937
11. Kiang, Newbury, December 2, 1937
12. Thanos, Kempton Park, December 3, 1937
12. Thanos, Kempton Park, December 3, 1937
13. Publicity, Windsor, November 24, 1939
13. Publicity, Windsor, November 24, 1939
14. Publicity, Newbury. February 22, 1940
14. Publicity, Newbury. February 22, 1940
15. Mixed Foursome, Cheltenham, April 10, 1940
15. Mixed Foursome, Cheltenham, April 10, 1940
Jim Fraser's first win: Kiang, Cheltenham, November 18, 1936
Jim Fraser's first win: Kiang, Cheltenham, November 18, 1936
Jim's Newton Abbot double, Corn Law & Culbertson: September 9 1937
Jim's Newton Abbot double, Corn Law & Culbertson: September 9 1937