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Jeff Evans
Jeff Evans
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Jeff Evans rode under National Hunt rules in the 1970s and won four races. His initials were R.J. and it seems likely that his first name was Richard, hence he was known as Jeff to distinguish him from the much more experienced jockey of that name.
Jeff Evans rode under National Hunt rules in the 1970s and won four races. His initials were R.J. and it seems likely that his first name was Richard, hence he was known as Jeff to distinguish him from the much more experienced jockey of that name.
After early prominence on his first ride, Call-Me-Shan finished last in the Yarcombe Novices’ Hurdler (Division 2) at Taunton on April 20, 1972. It was at that same course that Jeff had his first success later that year when Pageant Time, trained by Arthur Jones, held off the strong late challenge of Naval Affair to land the Necktie Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) on November 23 by a length.
After early prominence on his first ride, Call-Me-Shan finished last in the Yarcombe Novices’ Hurdler (Division 2) at Taunton on April 20, 1972. It was at that same course that Jeff had his first success later that year when Pageant Time, trained by Arthur Jones, held off the strong late challenge of Naval Affair to land the Necktie Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) on November 23 by a length.
He had to wait until Easter Monday 1973 at Newton Abbot for his second success, when Nearly Light was the comfortable winner of the Brookside Selling Handicap Hurdle, beating Dardanelle by five lengths.
He had to wait until Easter Monday 1973 at Newton Abbot for his second success, when Nearly Light was the comfortable winner of the Brookside Selling Handicap Hurdle, beating Dardanelle by five lengths.
It was nearly a year before he scored again, but back at Taunton on April 5, 1974, Overcliffe took the lead on the flat and landed the Roadmen’s Selling Handicap Hurdle by two and a half lengths. Trained by John Thorne at nearby Bridgwater, the five-year-old had been second on his last two starts, with Jeff aboard on the latter occasion, so was clearly not winning out of turn. John Williams, rider of the runner up Tentergold, objected to the winner on grounds of “taking my ground in the last 100 yards”, but this was overruled.
It was nearly a year before he scored again, but back at Taunton on April 5, 1974, Overcliffe took the lead on the flat and landed the Roadmen’s Selling Handicap Hurdle by two and a half lengths. Trained by John Thorne at nearby Bridgwater, the five-year-old had been second on his last two starts, with Jeff aboard on the latter occasion, so was clearly not winning out of turn. John Williams, rider of the runner up Tentergold, objected to the winner on grounds of “taking my ground in the last 100 yards”, but this was overruled.
When Tentergold reappeared five days later at Devon & Exeter, Jeff was in the saddle and John Thorne was the trainer. This time the four-year-old had no problem, coasting home ten lengths clear of Calright in the Beacon Heath Selling Handicap Hurdle.
When Tentergold reappeared five days later at Devon & Exeter, Jeff was in the saddle and John Thorne was the trainer. This time the four-year-old had no problem, coasting home ten lengths clear of Calright in the Beacon Heath Selling Handicap Hurdle.
Jeff’s final ride was on Miss Moritz, a faller in the Madley Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Hereford on May 2, 1974. It is not known whether that fall was responsible for ending his career.
Jeff’s final ride was on Miss Moritz, a faller in the Madley Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Hereford on May 2, 1974. It is not known whether that fall was responsible for ending his career.
Jeff Evans’ wins were, in chronological order:
Jeff Evans’ wins were, in chronological order:
1. Pageant Time, Taunton, November 23, 1972
1. Pageant Time, Taunton, November 23, 1972
2. Nearly Light, Newton Abbot, April 23, 1973
2. Nearly Light, Newton Abbot, April 23, 1973
3. Overcliffe, Taunton, April 5, 1974
3. Overcliffe, Taunton, April 5, 1974
4. Tentergold, Devon & Exeter, April 10, 1974
4. Tentergold, Devon & Exeter, April 10, 1974
Jeff Evans' third winner: Overcliffe, Taunton, April 5, 1974
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