John Farrell
Born circa 1880, National Hunt jockey John Farrell rode a total of 88 winners in the first 15 years of the 20th century and completed the course on his sole attempt in the Grand National.
Born circa 1880, National Hunt jockey John Farrell rode a total of 88 winners in the first 15 years of the 20th century and completed the course on his sole attempt in the Grand National.
He made an inauspicious start to his race-riding career, his mount Kilfree refusing in the Avon Selling Hurdle at Warwick on February 22, 1899. But his fortunes changed after relocating up north. He rode his first winner on Tiger Tim in the Ross Steeplechase at the old Hamilton Park course on September 24, 1900.
He made an inauspicious start to his race-riding career, his mount Kilfree refusing in the Avon Selling Hurdle at Warwick on February 22, 1899. But his fortunes changed after relocating up north. He rode his first winner on Tiger Tim in the Ross Steeplechase at the old Hamilton Park course on September 24, 1900.
On Friday, April 19, 1901, he created a small slice of racing history when winning the last race on the final day’s National Hunt meeting at Oatridge, the two-mile Farmers’ Chase, worth £32 to the winner, on Dechmont.
On Friday, April 19, 1901, he created a small slice of racing history when winning the last race on the final day’s National Hunt meeting at Oatridge, the two-mile Farmers’ Chase, worth £32 to the winner, on Dechmont.
The inaugural Oatridge meeting, held on July 17, 1873, had been dominated by Charlie Cunningham, who rode four winners on the day. Thereafter, however, its meetings took place in mid-April. After its closure, Oatridge became the Linlithgow and Stirlingshire Hunt’s annual point-to-point venue, a long-standing association that lasted right up until 1987 when the hunt went into abeyance, having lost much of its hunting country as rural land gave way to housing development.
The inaugural Oatridge meeting, held on July 17, 1873, had been dominated by Charlie Cunningham, who rode four winners on the day. Thereafter, however, its meetings took place in mid-April. After its closure, Oatridge became the Linlithgow and Stirlingshire Hunt’s annual point-to-point venue, a long-standing association that lasted right up until 1987 when the hunt went into abeyance, having lost much of its hunting country as rural land gave way to housing development.
John came close to gaining a big race success when finishing second on Domineer in the 1902 Scottish Grand National, beaten a length by George Wilson’s mount Canter Home.
John came close to gaining a big race success when finishing second on Domineer in the 1902 Scottish Grand National, beaten a length by George Wilson’s mount Canter Home.
He rode 10 winners in 1905 including a double at Hexham on October 18 aboard Dandy Boy in the St Wilfrid’s Handicap Chase and Wandering Monkey in the Dotland Handicap Chase.
He rode 10 winners in 1905 including a double at Hexham on October 18 aboard Dandy Boy in the St Wilfrid’s Handicap Chase and Wandering Monkey in the Dotland Handicap Chase.
However, he enjoyed his most successful year in 1911 with 11 wins. They included four selling chases on Glenarm, at Bogside in April, Hexham in May, Cartmel in June and Bogside again in October.
However, he enjoyed his most successful year in 1911 with 11 wins. They included four selling chases on Glenarm, at Bogside in April, Hexham in May, Cartmel in June and Bogside again in October.
He had his sole Grand National mount on 66-1 outsider Whitelegs II in 1912, completing the course in seventh place despite having to remount twice after falling on the way round.
He had his sole Grand National mount on 66-1 outsider Whitelegs II in 1912, completing the course in seventh place despite having to remount twice after falling on the way round.
John’s favourite courses were Hamilton Park and Hexham. He rode 15 winners at each of those tracks during his career. However, it was at Wetherby that he had both his last winner and his final ride.
John’s favourite courses were Hamilton Park and Hexham. He rode 15 winners at each of those tracks during his career. However, it was at Wetherby that he had both his last winner and his final ride.
His last win was on Lilford in Wetherby’s Harrogate Maiden Chase on Easter Monday, April 5, 1915, during the First World War. He rode for a couple of years after the war ended. His final mount was also at Wetherby’s Easter Monday fixture, on March 28, 1921, on Missing Link, who fell in the Springs Selling Hurdle. It is not known whether that fall brought a premature end to his career or whether he decided to retire on his own terms. It may well have been the latter as he was by then in his early forties.
His last win was on Lilford in Wetherby’s Harrogate Maiden Chase on Easter Monday, April 5, 1915, during the First World War. He rode for a couple of years after the war ended. His final mount was also at Wetherby’s Easter Monday fixture, on March 28, 1921, on Missing Link, who fell in the Springs Selling Hurdle. It is not known whether that fall brought a premature end to his career or whether he decided to retire on his own terms. It may well have been the latter as he was by then in his early forties.