John Ford
National Hunt jockey John Crane Ford was born at Warminster, Wiltshire, on August 31, 1945, the son of Jim Ford, trainer of 1955 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Gay Donald.
National Hunt jockey John Crane Ford was born at Warminster, Wiltshire, on August 31, 1945, the son of Jim Ford, trainer of 1955 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Gay Donald.
Rather than serving an apprenticeship with his father, John spent two years in Ireland as pupil assistant to trainers Charlie McCartan Jnr and Cyril Bryce-Smith. That enabled him to ride as an amateur before taking out a professional licence in 1962.
Rather than serving an apprenticeship with his father, John spent two years in Ireland as pupil assistant to trainers Charlie McCartan Jnr and Cyril Bryce-Smith. That enabled him to ride as an amateur before taking out a professional licence in 1962.
He rode as a professional for three seasons. Weighing 10st 10lb restricted the number of rides he could take and that inevitably limited his riding career. He rode a total of four winners, the first of which was Melody Man, trained by his father, in division one of the Lyme Regis Novices’ Hurdle at Taunton on October 19, 1963. He won on Melody Man again at Wincanton on Easter Monday 1964, by which time his weight had risen further, requiring him to put up 4lb overweight to ride at 11st 8lb.
He rode as a professional for three seasons. Weighing 10st 10lb restricted the number of rides he could take and that inevitably limited his riding career. He rode a total of four winners, the first of which was Melody Man, trained by his father, in division one of the Lyme Regis Novices’ Hurdle at Taunton on October 19, 1963. He won on Melody Man again at Wincanton on Easter Monday 1964, by which time his weight had risen further, requiring him to put up 4lb overweight to ride at 11st 8lb.
There is an interesting story going back to 1940 concerning Melody Man’s owner, French wine importer Major A. J. Rihal. He escaped with British troops from Dunkirk, joined the British army on his arrival in England and did part of his training at Taunton. He formed such a liking for the area, he made up his mind to come back after the war and win a race at Taunton.
There is an interesting story going back to 1940 concerning Melody Man’s owner, French wine importer Major A. J. Rihal. He escaped with British troops from Dunkirk, joined the British army on his arrival in England and did part of his training at Taunton. He formed such a liking for the area, he made up his mind to come back after the war and win a race at Taunton.
After 23 years he achieved his ambition when John Ford brought Melody Man home clear in that Taunton novices’ hurdle in October 1963, breaking the course record in the process. Major Rihal then donated a trophy, the Melody Man Cup, to be run thereafter in memory of his horse.
After 23 years he achieved his ambition when John Ford brought Melody Man home clear in that Taunton novices’ hurdle in October 1963, breaking the course record in the process. Major Rihal then donated a trophy, the Melody Man Cup, to be run thereafter in memory of his horse.
John’s third success, from just 12 mounts that season, was gained on Star Colony for Wythall, near Birmingham, trainer Jim Edmunds in a Wincanton novices’ hurdle in April 1964.
John’s third success, from just 12 mounts that season, was gained on Star Colony for Wythall, near Birmingham, trainer Jim Edmunds in a Wincanton novices’ hurdle in April 1964.
He rode one winner from 15 mounts during the 1964/65 campaign, on Crested Scot, trained by his father, in a Wincanton maiden chase on November 19, 1964. That proved to be his last, as increasing weight forced him to relinquish his licence at the end of the season.
He rode one winner from 15 mounts during the 1964/65 campaign, on Crested Scot, trained by his father, in a Wincanton maiden chase on November 19, 1964. That proved to be his last, as increasing weight forced him to relinquish his licence at the end of the season.
John Ford’s winners were:
John Ford’s winners were:
1. Melody Man, Taunton, October 19, 1963
1. Melody Man, Taunton, October 19, 1963
2. Melody Man, Wincanton, March 30, 1964
2. Melody Man, Wincanton, March 30, 1964
3. Star Colony, Wincanton, April 23, 1964
3. Star Colony, Wincanton, April 23, 1964
4. Crested Scot, Wincanton, November 19, 1964
4. Crested Scot, Wincanton, November 19, 1964