Jack Egan
1932 - 1991
1932 - 1991
The son of a miner, John Robert Egan (known as Jack) was born at Castleford, near Pontefract on 10 February, 1932, and became apprenticed to Sam Armstrong.
The son of a miner, John Robert Egan (known as Jack) was born at Castleford, near Pontefract on 10 February, 1932, and became apprenticed to Sam Armstrong.
He rode his first winner on Waterspout in the Wykeham Handicap Stakes at York on August 25, 1948. The following season, while still an apprentice, he registered 23 wins from 307 rides. His biggest win came in the 1951 Chester Cup on Wood Leopard.
He rode his first winner on Waterspout in the Wykeham Handicap Stakes at York on August 25, 1948. The following season, while still an apprentice, he registered 23 wins from 307 rides. His biggest win came in the 1951 Chester Cup on Wood Leopard.
Having won a total of 160 winners in Britain, he moved to Denmark in 1959 and soon made a name for himself there, winning the first of his two Danish Derbys the following year on Royal Scarlett. He won all the Danish Classics during his 15-year stay and also won the Swedish St Leger three times. He was multiple champion jockey in Denmark and won every major race there. In addition, he rode three winners of the Derby in India.
Having won a total of 160 winners in Britain, he moved to Denmark in 1959 and soon made a name for himself there, winning the first of his two Danish Derbys the following year on Royal Scarlett. He won all the Danish Classics during his 15-year stay and also won the Swedish St Leger three times. He was multiple champion jockey in Denmark and won every major race there. In addition, he rode three winners of the Derby in India.
On his return to England in the early seventies, he rode work for Michael Jarvis and then moved north to team up with Denys Smith. He renewed his jockey’s licence and rode 13 winners in 1973. He continued riding for a few more seasons, though his winning totals dropped to single figures.
On his return to England in the early seventies, he rode work for Michael Jarvis and then moved north to team up with Denys Smith. He renewed his jockey’s licence and rode 13 winners in 1973. He continued riding for a few more seasons, though his winning totals dropped to single figures.
On his retirement he returned to his native Yorkshire, where he bought a grocery shop in Pontefract, but later moved back to Newmarket and rode work for Alex Scott.
On his retirement he returned to his native Yorkshire, where he bought a grocery shop in Pontefract, but later moved back to Newmarket and rode work for Alex Scott.
Jack Egan was found dead at his Newmarket home on 30 July, 1991, aged 59, having suffered a heart attack. He left a daughter and two sons. His funeral took place at West Suffolk Crematorium in Risby, near Bury St Edmunds, on 7 August.
Jack Egan was found dead at his Newmarket home on 30 July, 1991, aged 59, having suffered a heart attack. He left a daughter and two sons. His funeral took place at West Suffolk Crematorium in Risby, near Bury St Edmunds, on 7 August.
Paying tribute, Alex Scott referred to Jack as “a very kind and sensitive man who always thought a lot about the welfare of his horses.”
Paying tribute, Alex Scott referred to Jack as “a very kind and sensitive man who always thought a lot about the welfare of his horses.”
Big winners
Big winners
1951: Chester Cup – Wood Leopard
1951: Chester Cup – Wood Leopard
1953: Fred Darling Stakes – Rose Coral
1953: Fred Darling Stakes – Rose Coral