John Farrant
John Farrant
John Farrant
1938-2024
1938-2024
John Farrant, MBE, was a well-known amateur rider, trainer, owner and point-to-point steward. He rode more than a dozen winners under rules and many more in point-to-points.
John Farrant, MBE, was a well-known amateur rider, trainer, owner and point-to-point steward. He rode more than a dozen winners under rules and many more in point-to-points.
Christened Edward John Farrant, he was born on November 6, 1938. He rode his first winner under National Hunt rules on the seven-year-old Scottish Flight II, owned and trained by Tom Southern, in the Tally-Ho Hunters’ Chase at Lingfield Park on February 14, 1959. They followed up by winning the “Clapper” Hunters’ Challenge Cup Chase at Plumpton nine days later. They then lined up for the Foxhunters’ Challenge Cup at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting but fell at the fourth last fence.
Christened Edward John Farrant, he was born on November 6, 1938. He rode his first winner under National Hunt rules on the seven-year-old Scottish Flight II, owned and trained by Tom Southern, in the Tally-Ho Hunters’ Chase at Lingfield Park on February 14, 1959. They followed up by winning the “Clapper” Hunters’ Challenge Cup Chase at Plumpton nine days later. They then lined up for the Foxhunters’ Challenge Cup at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting but fell at the fourth last fence.
Scottish Flight II was his best-known winner. Subsequently trained by Peter Cazalet, he came fourth in the 1961 Grand National, ridden by Bill Rees.
Scottish Flight II was his best-known winner. Subsequently trained by Peter Cazalet, he came fourth in the 1961 Grand National, ridden by Bill Rees.
John had a third winner that season when Sunflax landed the Dover Selling Handicap Chase at Wye on March 9. He added three more wins in the 1959/60 season.
John had a third winner that season when Sunflax landed the Dover Selling Handicap Chase at Wye on March 9. He added three more wins in the 1959/60 season.
John married Janet Sutton on January 5, 1963. They had a son, Rupert and a daughter, Tamara.
John married Janet Sutton on January 5, 1963. They had a son, Rupert and a daughter, Tamara.
The best horse he rode in point-to-points was the East Kent mare Cauliflower, also trained by Tom Southern. Altogether she won 12 point-to-points and 11 hunter chases. John was on board when she won her first race and for two of her hunter chase wins, namely the Beaumont Hunters’ Challenge Cup at Fontwell Park on March 26, 1962 and the Fairlawne Hunters’ Chase at Wye on April 8, 1963.
The best horse he rode in point-to-points was the East Kent mare Cauliflower, also trained by Tom Southern. Altogether she won 12 point-to-points and 11 hunter chases. John was on board when she won her first race and for two of her hunter chase wins, namely the Beaumont Hunters’ Challenge Cup at Fontwell Park on March 26, 1962 and the Fairlawne Hunters’ Chase at Wye on April 8, 1963.
In April 1976 he owned, trained and rode Eastern Admiral to win two races: the Falmer Novices’ Chase at Plumpton and the Ted Long Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase, the latter success giving him particular pleasure.
In April 1976 he owned, trained and rode Eastern Admiral to win two races: the Falmer Novices’ Chase at Plumpton and the Ted Long Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase, the latter success giving him particular pleasure.
John Farrant died on April 4, 2024, aged 85. His daughter, Tamara Strapp, sent the following email to the Racing Post, informing of her father’s death:
John Farrant died on April 4, 2024, aged 85. His daughter, Tamara Strapp, sent the following email to the Racing Post, informing of her father’s death:
John Farrant, jockey, trainer, owner and point-to-point steward, sadly passed away last week aged 85. His passion for racing was funded by his understanding and expertise of the world of commercial poultry. The latter earned him his cherished MBE and the former provided him with the best moments of his life.
John Farrant, jockey, trainer, owner and point-to-point steward, sadly passed away last week aged 85. His passion for racing was funded by his understanding and expertise of the world of commercial poultry. The latter earned him his cherished MBE and the former provided him with the best moments of his life.
In an interview celebrating his 30 years as editor of Poultry World he said: “The only thing I ever wanted to do was ride racehorses, which I did as an amateur for 30 years.”
In an interview celebrating his 30 years as editor of Poultry World he said: “The only thing I ever wanted to do was ride racehorses, which I did as an amateur for 30 years.”
He was proud to reach over 100 National Hunt winners as rider, trainer and owner. After his retirement, his efforts were directed into local point-to-points as a steward and clerk of the course for the East Sussex and Romney Marsh. He continued to ride his beloved racehorse Quarrymount until he was 84.
He was proud to reach over 100 National Hunt winners as rider, trainer and owner. After his retirement, his efforts were directed into local point-to-points as a steward and clerk of the course for the East Sussex and Romney Marsh. He continued to ride his beloved racehorse Quarrymount until he was 84.
He was always willing to give young riders a chance, and amongst those he assisted were Rupert Farrant, Joe Carden, Chris Gordon, Helen Gordon, Freddie Gordon and Tom Cannon.
He was always willing to give young riders a chance, and amongst those he assisted were Rupert Farrant, Joe Carden, Chris Gordon, Helen Gordon, Freddie Gordon and Tom Cannon.
John grew up in Northiam on the family farm. He started point-to-pointing while at Wye College winning his first point-to-point in 1958 and his first National Hunt race on Scottish Flight at Lingfield in 1959. Lingfield was dear to his heart as it also provided wins as owner: Raymore Will in 2023. Folkestone also held special memories as he rode and trained his own horse Eastern Admiral to win the Ted Long Trophy in 1976.
John grew up in Northiam on the family farm. He started point-to-pointing while at Wye College winning his first point-to-point in 1958 and his first National Hunt race on Scottish Flight at Lingfield in 1959. Lingfield was dear to his heart as it also provided wins as owner: Raymore Will in 2023. Folkestone also held special memories as he rode and trained his own horse Eastern Admiral to win the Ted Long Trophy in 1976.
John fitted in riding around daily commuting to London from home on the Sussex coast and overseeing his 18,000-bird egg farm. The day-to-day running of the egg deliveries was left to a young Chris Gordon. who was trying to get on the racing ladder. John helped Chris gain rides and horses to train.
John fitted in riding around daily commuting to London from home on the Sussex coast and overseeing his 18,000-bird egg farm. The day-to-day running of the egg deliveries was left to a young Chris Gordon. who was trying to get on the racing ladder. John helped Chris gain rides and horses to train.
He was rewarded with one of his proudest moments when his son Rupert won the Kent Grand National on the home-trained Bargill.
He was rewarded with one of his proudest moments when his son Rupert won the Kent Grand National on the home-trained Bargill.
Several decades later his faith in Chris Gordon was rewarded when Chris sourced a string of successful chasers Quarrymount, Days of Pleasure, Ballyheige Bay and Raymore Will. Quarrymount was Chris’s first winner as a licensed trainer.
Several decades later his faith in Chris Gordon was rewarded when Chris sourced a string of successful chasers Quarrymount, Days of Pleasure, Ballyheige Bay and Raymore Will. Quarrymount was Chris’s first winner as a licensed trainer.