John Eward
John Eward
John Eward
Although John Eward only rode six winners over jumps, they did include two doubles, three wins at one two-day meeting, and a big race victory.
Although John Eward only rode six winners over jumps, they did include two doubles, three wins at one two-day meeting, and a big race victory.
His run of successes began at Wetherby’s 1903 two-day Easter meeting. He registered his first two wins on Easter Monday, April 13, on Halutos in the Walton Handicap Hurdle, and Poetry in the Harrogate Chase, then on the Tuesday he added the Bramham Moor Chase on Wharfedale. Of the three, only Halutos ran again that season, but he was well beaten at Hooton Park four days later with John aboard.
His run of successes began at Wetherby’s 1903 two-day Easter meeting. He registered his first two wins on Easter Monday, April 13, on Halutos in the Walton Handicap Hurdle, and Poetry in the Harrogate Chase, then on the Tuesday he added the Bramham Moor Chase on Wharfedale. Of the three, only Halutos ran again that season, but he was well beaten at Hooton Park four days later with John aboard.
He may well have had only ten rides that year, seven of them at that Wetherby Easter meeting. His 1904 campaign was even briefer, perhaps only six rides, including another Easter Monday Wetherby double, comprising the Harrogate Maiden Chase on Royal Kendal and, more importantly, the Wetherby Handicap Chase on Athel Roy.
He may well have had only ten rides that year, seven of them at that Wetherby Easter meeting. His 1904 campaign was even briefer, perhaps only six rides, including another Easter Monday Wetherby double, comprising the Harrogate Maiden Chase on Royal Kendal and, more importantly, the Wetherby Handicap Chase on Athel Roy.
The Wetherby Handicap Chase was the biggest race run at Wetherby and was, for many years, among the most valuable chases in the north, outside of Aintree. While not as valuable as Manchester’s prestigious Lancashire Chase, it was worth a tidy sum compared to most northern jump races of that time, Athel Roy’s victory earning a winner’s prize of £246, while very few others offered as much as £100. That was the only occasion on which John Eward rode Athel Roy, who had not been seen since finishing unplaced at Manchester in January.
The Wetherby Handicap Chase was the biggest race run at Wetherby and was, for many years, among the most valuable chases in the north, outside of Aintree. While not as valuable as Manchester’s prestigious Lancashire Chase, it was worth a tidy sum compared to most northern jump races of that time, Athel Roy’s victory earning a winner’s prize of £246, while very few others offered as much as £100. That was the only occasion on which John Eward rode Athel Roy, who had not been seen since finishing unplaced at Manchester in January.
He rode just one winner in 1905, and it was not at Wetherby’s Easter meeting this time. Riding Madron, he dead-heated with Arthur Waddington on Hairbird at the end of the Burton Joyce Handicap Hurdle at Southwell on October 17. John rode Madron in his next two outings, finishing unplaced both times. He did not renew his licence after 1906.
He rode just one winner in 1905, and it was not at Wetherby’s Easter meeting this time. Riding Madron, he dead-heated with Arthur Waddington on Hairbird at the end of the Burton Joyce Handicap Hurdle at Southwell on October 17. John rode Madron in his next two outings, finishing unplaced both times. He did not renew his licence after 1906.
John Eward’s winners were, in chronological order:
John Eward’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Halutos, Wetherby, April 13, 1903
1. Halutos, Wetherby, April 13, 1903
2. Poetry, Wetherby, April 13, 1903
2. Poetry, Wetherby, April 13, 1903
3. Wharfedale, Wetherby, April 14, 1903
3. Wharfedale, Wetherby, April 14, 1903
4. Athel Roy, Wetherby, April 4, 1904
4. Athel Roy, Wetherby, April 4, 1904
5. Royal Kendal, Wetherby, April 4, 1904
5. Royal Kendal, Wetherby, April 4, 1904
6. Madron, Southwell, October 17, 1905
6. Madron, Southwell, October 17, 1905
Halutos was the first leg of a double for John Eward at Wetherby on April 13 1903.
Halutos was the first leg of a double for John Eward at Wetherby on April 13 1903.
Poetry completed the double for John in the last race of the day at Wetherby.
Poetry completed the double for John in the last race of the day at Wetherby.
John Eward's third winner: Wharfedale, Wetherby, April 14, 1903
John Eward's third winner: Wharfedale, Wetherby, April 14, 1903
First leg of a second Wetherby double for John Eward was Athel Roy on April 4, 1904.
First leg of a second Wetherby double for John Eward was Athel Roy on April 4, 1904.
John completed the double on Royal Kendal, April 4, 1904. The following afternoon, Royal Kendal raced once again at Wetherby. It fell at the last fence, seriously injuring John Eward, who was rushed to Leeds Infirmary suffering from severe concussion.
John completed the double on Royal Kendal, April 4, 1904. The following afternoon, Royal Kendal raced once again at Wetherby. It fell at the last fence, seriously injuring John Eward, who was rushed to Leeds Infirmary suffering from severe concussion.
John Eward's final winner: Madron, Southwell, October 17, 1905
John Eward's final winner: Madron, Southwell, October 17, 1905