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John Eighteen
John Eighteen
1911 - 1999
1911 - 1999
Born in 1911, the curiously surnamed John William Eighteen rode only one winner under National Hunt rules, that being in the spring of 1940.
Born in 1911, the curiously surnamed John William Eighteen rode only one winner under National Hunt rules, that being in the spring of 1940.
He had already come close to success at Windsor on November 24, 1939, when his mount Nitakrit II was beaten a neck in the Mill Hurdle. John objected to the winner, Dunslaw, ridden by Willie Stephenson, on grounds of interference. Although the objection was overruled, the stewards did return his deposit money, indicating that it was far from a frivolous claim.
He had already come close to success at Windsor on November 24, 1939, when his mount Nitakrit II was beaten a neck in the Mill Hurdle. John objected to the winner, Dunslaw, ridden by Willie Stephenson, on grounds of interference. Although the objection was overruled, the stewards did return his deposit money, indicating that it was far from a frivolous claim.
John thus had to wait until March 4, 1940, at Fontwell Park, when Nitakrit II, trained at Epsom by former Flat race jockey Cecil Ray, finally got his head in front to win the Cowdray Hurdle by a length. Two of the best jockeys of the day followed him home: Gerry Wilson was second on Ticca Girl, and Evan Williams finished third on Mouktar Pacha. Nitakrit II did not run again that season, and John did not renew his licence.
John thus had to wait until March 4, 1940, at Fontwell Park, when Nitakrit II, trained at Epsom by former Flat race jockey Cecil Ray, finally got his head in front to win the Cowdray Hurdle by a length. Two of the best jockeys of the day followed him home: Gerry Wilson was second on Ticca Girl, and Evan Williams finished third on Mouktar Pacha. Nitakrit II did not run again that season, and John did not renew his licence.
Interestingly, John Eighteen did not claim an allowance when riding, so presumably had ridden winners in other jurisdictions. It is possible that he had done so in South Africa. The basis for this supposition is that Cecil Ray, one of the very few to be warned off both as a jockey and a trainer, had emigrated from England to South Africa where he served his apprenticeship and rode around 700 winners before returning to ride in Britain. It may be that he had contact with John Eighteen while there, but this is purely conjecture.
Interestingly, John Eighteen did not claim an allowance when riding, so presumably had ridden winners in other jurisdictions. It is possible that he had done so in South Africa. The basis for this supposition is that Cecil Ray, one of the very few to be warned off both as a jockey and a trainer, had emigrated from England to South Africa where he served his apprenticeship and rode around 700 winners before returning to ride in Britain. It may be that he had contact with John Eighteen while there, but this is purely conjecture.
John Eighteen died in 1999.
John Eighteen died in 1999.
John Eighteen's solitary winner: Nitakrit ll was first over the last hurdle and being strongly pressed by the Duchess of Norfolk's grey, Ticca Gari. Nitakrit ll, finding a second wind, ran on to win in the last 50 yards.
John Eighteen's solitary winner: Nitakrit ll was first over the last hurdle and being strongly pressed by the Duchess of Norfolk's grey, Ticca Gari. Nitakrit ll, finding a second wind, ran on to win in the last 50 yards.
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