John Farmer
John Farmer
John Farmer
National Hunt jockey Leonard John Farmer – who rode as ‘L. Farmer’ but was more commonly known by his second christian name – held a licence for two seasons in the mid-1960s and managed just a single success.
National Hunt jockey Leonard John Farmer – who rode as ‘L. Farmer’ but was more commonly known by his second christian name – held a licence for two seasons in the mid-1960s and managed just a single success.
During his time in racing, John worked for trainers Sid Kernick, Tom Jarvis, Arthur Freeman and David Barons. It was for Barons that his red-letter day came at Chepstow on Saturday, December 19, 1964 when 10-1 chance Bucktail beat 26 rivals in the Silver Drum Handicap Hurdle.
During his time in racing, John worked for trainers Sid Kernick, Tom Jarvis, Arthur Freeman and David Barons. It was for Barons that his red-letter day came at Chepstow on Saturday, December 19, 1964 when 10-1 chance Bucktail beat 26 rivals in the Silver Drum Handicap Hurdle.
Bucktail was having his eleventh run of the season, with John Farmer on board for seven of them. They were certainly not winning out of turn. After finishing second in the Weldon Memorial Cup Handicap Hurdle at Devon & Exeter in August, they had been third at Cheltenham in October; second, beaten three-quarters of a length, at Wincanton; then third again at Windsor in November.
Bucktail was having his eleventh run of the season, with John Farmer on board for seven of them. They were certainly not winning out of turn. After finishing second in the Weldon Memorial Cup Handicap Hurdle at Devon & Exeter in August, they had been third at Cheltenham in October; second, beaten three-quarters of a length, at Wincanton; then third again at Windsor in November.
Seven days after their Chepstow success, John and Bucktail were reunited at Newton Abbot – one of only two Boxing Day meetings to escape the frost that wiped out six others – in the opening race on the card. It is doubtful that Newton Abbot has ever produced a closer finish than the South Devon Handicap Hurdle on that 1964 Boxing Day card. Vitamin, owned and trained by Frank Gorman and ridden by his son Colin, just got the better of Kavar-ul-Mulk (Robin Biggs) by a short-head. Kavar-ul-Mulk was in turn just a short-head clear of Bucktail (John Farmer) and Ocean Cheer (Clive Davies) who dead-heated for third place. Barely a head separated the first four.
Seven days after their Chepstow success, John and Bucktail were reunited at Newton Abbot – one of only two Boxing Day meetings to escape the frost that wiped out six others – in the opening race on the card. It is doubtful that Newton Abbot has ever produced a closer finish than the South Devon Handicap Hurdle on that 1964 Boxing Day card. Vitamin, owned and trained by Frank Gorman and ridden by his son Colin, just got the better of Kavar-ul-Mulk (Robin Biggs) by a short-head. Kavar-ul-Mulk was in turn just a short-head clear of Bucktail (John Farmer) and Ocean Cheer (Clive Davies) who dead-heated for third place. Barely a head separated the first four.
John rode Bucktail just twice more, on successive days in January. Having finished sixth of 18 at Wincanton on January 14, they reappeared 24 hours later at Newbury, where they finished a close third behind Penvulgo (Terry Biddlecombe) and Prince Bon Bon (Stan Mellor) in division two of the Abingdon Handicap Hurdle. Shortly afterwards, the ten-year-old left David Barons’ stables for those of Toby Balding, hence John never rode Bucktail again.
John rode Bucktail just twice more, on successive days in January. Having finished sixth of 18 at Wincanton on January 14, they reappeared 24 hours later at Newbury, where they finished a close third behind Penvulgo (Terry Biddlecombe) and Prince Bon Bon (Stan Mellor) in division two of the Abingdon Handicap Hurdle. Shortly afterwards, the ten-year-old left David Barons’ stables for those of Toby Balding, hence John never rode Bucktail again.
He rode for the final time when finishing tenth of twelve runners on 20-1 outsider Djefora in the West of England Professional Novice Riders’ Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newton Abbot on May 28, 1965.
He rode for the final time when finishing tenth of twelve runners on 20-1 outsider Djefora in the West of England Professional Novice Riders’ Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newton Abbot on May 28, 1965.
Following his retirement from the saddle, he worked firstly as a jockeys’ valet and then as a farrier.
Following his retirement from the saddle, he worked firstly as a jockeys’ valet and then as a farrier.
John Farmer died in January 2012, aged 66, survived by his wife Sandra, daughter Helen and son Neil. His funeral took place at St Michael’s Church, Kingsteignton, near Newton Abbot. His ashes were scattered by the last fence at Newton Abbot Racecourse.
John Farmer died in January 2012, aged 66, survived by his wife Sandra, daughter Helen and son Neil. His funeral took place at St Michael’s Church, Kingsteignton, near Newton Abbot. His ashes were scattered by the last fence at Newton Abbot Racecourse.
John rode his only winner, Bucktail, in December 1964
John rode his only winner, Bucktail, in December 1964
John was involved in one of the tightest finishes of the season in December 1964
John was involved in one of the tightest finishes of the season in December 1964