Jack Evans
For every jockey superstar, there’s a hundred Jack Evans'.
For every jockey superstar, there’s a hundred Jack Evans'.
But he did alright. Jack Evans, riding for trainer, Mr C.V.Tabor, became known as ‘The Selling Plate King.’
But he did alright. Jack Evans, riding for trainer, Mr C.V.Tabor, became known as ‘The Selling Plate King.’
The stable extensively patronised this class of race, and did so with such success and profit, that they are worthy of inclusion here. There are many jockeys attached to more fashionable stables who would more readily catch the eye, but such major opportunities never fell to Jack.
The stable extensively patronised this class of race, and did so with such success and profit, that they are worthy of inclusion here. There are many jockeys attached to more fashionable stables who would more readily catch the eye, but such major opportunities never fell to Jack.
Christened John Evans but always known as Jack, he was born on January 10, 1892. He was riding in Germany in 1911 but returned to the safety of Newmarket shortly before the Great War. By 1920 he was riding for Reg Day at Newmarket and also for Tabor's Epsom stable.
Christened John Evans but always known as Jack, he was born on January 10, 1892. He was riding in Germany in 1911 but returned to the safety of Newmarket shortly before the Great War. By 1920 he was riding for Reg Day at Newmarket and also for Tabor's Epsom stable.
In 1922 he rode 28 winners and was placed a further 44 times, his last victory being in a seller at Newbury when he won on the outsider Pasenham who started at 100/6. It was a big field and several of the runners were big gambles, but, riding a wonderful finish, Evans easily beat Charlie Smirke on Sparkling Eyes.
In 1922 he rode 28 winners and was placed a further 44 times, his last victory being in a seller at Newbury when he won on the outsider Pasenham who started at 100/6. It was a big field and several of the runners were big gambles, but, riding a wonderful finish, Evans easily beat Charlie Smirke on Sparkling Eyes.
An accident at Epsom kept Jack out of the saddle for a fortnight the following year: riding Cordobo, he was going well until another horse collided with him causing his mount to fall and Jack to crash into the railings.
An accident at Epsom kept Jack out of the saddle for a fortnight the following year: riding Cordobo, he was going well until another horse collided with him causing his mount to fall and Jack to crash into the railings.
Proof that he had fully recovered came when he was challenged by fellow jockey Brownie Carslake to a fight in the ring. Both men were keen and very good pugilists and a jockeys’ boxing Championship was arranged with Evans versus Carslake the obvious top of the bill. It was generally known that there was bad blood between the two and a large crowd attended. Evans gave away a few pounds, yet the fight was evenly matched and dour, with Carslake getting a close points victory.
Proof that he had fully recovered came when he was challenged by fellow jockey Brownie Carslake to a fight in the ring. Both men were keen and very good pugilists and a jockeys’ boxing Championship was arranged with Evans versus Carslake the obvious top of the bill. It was generally known that there was bad blood between the two and a large crowd attended. Evans gave away a few pounds, yet the fight was evenly matched and dour, with Carslake getting a close points victory.
John Evans died at Newmarket early in 1957, aged 65.
John Evans died at Newmarket early in 1957, aged 65.