John Fiddler
John Fiddler
John Fiddler
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born in 1884, John Fiddler had seven winners over jumps in Britain between 1912 and 1914, then came back nearly a decade later to add one more.
Born in 1884, John Fiddler had seven winners over jumps in Britain between 1912 and 1914, then came back nearly a decade later to add one more.
Well before the first of those successes, he had ridden over the Liverpool fences when aboard Proclaimed in the Becher Chase on March 27, 1909. The five-year-old had shown little in two runs earlier in the year and, partnered by John for the first time, he was one of five fallers in the race, won by Bob Chadwick on Bloodstone.
Well before the first of those successes, he had ridden over the Liverpool fences when aboard Proclaimed in the Becher Chase on March 27, 1909. The five-year-old had shown little in two runs earlier in the year and, partnered by John for the first time, he was one of five fallers in the race, won by Bob Chadwick on Bloodstone.
John’s first victory was gained on Pennymuir, who took the Glenearn Selling Handicap Hurdle at Perth on September 27, 1912, scoring by three lengths. The winning margin was five lengths when John recorded his second win, thanks to Miss Avon who took the Sunlaws Selling Chase at Kelso three weeks later.
John’s first victory was gained on Pennymuir, who took the Glenearn Selling Handicap Hurdle at Perth on September 27, 1912, scoring by three lengths. The winning margin was five lengths when John recorded his second win, thanks to Miss Avon who took the Sunlaws Selling Chase at Kelso three weeks later.
His second ride over the Grand National course ended like the first, with Holly Lodge, his mount in the Valentine Chase on November 8, among the fallers.
His second ride over the Grand National course ended like the first, with Holly Lodge, his mount in the Valentine Chase on November 8, among the fallers.
Pennymuir was his only winner of 1913, taking the Hardwick Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield in April. The horse was sold after the race and John did not get chance to ride him again.
Pennymuir was his only winner of 1913, taking the Hardwick Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield in April. The horse was sold after the race and John did not get chance to ride him again.
He fared better in 1914 with four wins, starting with victory on Holly Lodge in a match for the Worsall Selling Handicap Chase at Picton on April 11, beating his sole rival by four lengths. Just three days later, John doubled his score for the season when Patches beat four rivals to take the splendidly named United Kingdom Handicap Chase at Wetherby, a race worth just £68 to the winner, a prize hardly befitting the impressive title bestowed on it by the racecourse’s officials. John and the eight-year-old Patches went on to score twice more that year, landing the Mount Oswald Hunters’ Handicap Chase at Shincliffe in May, and the Marston Moore Chase at Wetherby in October.
He fared better in 1914 with four wins, starting with victory on Holly Lodge in a match for the Worsall Selling Handicap Chase at Picton on April 11, beating his sole rival by four lengths. Just three days later, John doubled his score for the season when Patches beat four rivals to take the splendidly named United Kingdom Handicap Chase at Wetherby, a race worth just £68 to the winner, a prize hardly befitting the impressive title bestowed on it by the racecourse’s officials. John and the eight-year-old Patches went on to score twice more that year, landing the Mount Oswald Hunters’ Handicap Chase at Shincliffe in May, and the Marston Moore Chase at Wetherby in October.
Although John relinquished his licence at the end of 1914 – presumably to serve king and country in the Great War – he was granted one in 1919 and returned to race-riding. However, he had to wait until another Wetherby meeting for his final victory. This came on Easter Monday, April 2, 1923, when Maclare, making his first appearance of the year, won the Harrogate Chase by six lengths. John was Maclare’s regular partner, having ridden him in eight of his nine previous starts, and he rode him in two more unsuccessful outings following their Wetherby success.
Although John relinquished his licence at the end of 1914 – presumably to serve king and country in the Great War – he was granted one in 1919 and returned to race-riding. However, he had to wait until another Wetherby meeting for his final victory. This came on Easter Monday, April 2, 1923, when Maclare, making his first appearance of the year, won the Harrogate Chase by six lengths. John was Maclare’s regular partner, having ridden him in eight of his nine previous starts, and he rode him in two more unsuccessful outings following their Wetherby success.
All of John’s wins, spread over more than a decade, were gained on horses owned by Mr R. T. Murray. He did not renew his licence for 1924.
All of John’s wins, spread over more than a decade, were gained on horses owned by Mr R. T. Murray. He did not renew his licence for 1924.
John Fiddler’s winners were, in chronological order:
John Fiddler’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Pennymuir, Perth, September 27, 1912.
1. Pennymuir, Perth, September 27, 1912.
2. Miss Avon, Kelso, October 19, 1912
2. Miss Avon, Kelso, October 19, 1912
3. Pennymuir, Sedgefield, April 8, 1913
3. Pennymuir, Sedgefield, April 8, 1913
4. Holly Lodge, Picton, April 11, 1914
4. Holly Lodge, Picton, April 11, 1914
5. Patches, Wetherby, April 14, 1914
5. Patches, Wetherby, April 14, 1914
6. Patches, Shincliffe, May 6, 1914
6. Patches, Shincliffe, May 6, 1914
7. Patches, Wetherby, October 19, 1914
7. Patches, Wetherby, October 19, 1914
8. Maclare, Wetherby, April 2, 1923
8. Maclare, Wetherby, April 2, 1923
John's penultimate win: Patches, Wetherby, October 19, 1914
John's penultimate win: Patches, Wetherby, October 19, 1914