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Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
James Pratchett Drinkwater held a jump jockey’s licence for 15 years, from 1952/53 to 1967/68 yet only rode three winners during that time.
James Pratchett Drinkwater held a jump jockey’s licence for 15 years, from 1952/53 to 1967/68 yet only rode three winners during that time.
Interestingly, they were all in the same race, a selling hurdle on Cartmel’s Whit Monday Bank Holiday card. A chestnut filly named Oxheys arrived in Britain as a four-year-old in the spring of 1957, having been unplaced in four maiden hurdles in Ireland, and joined the Garswood, Lancashire stable of permit trainer George Stothard. She ran five times the following season without making the frame. Jim Drinkwater, who had yet to ride a winner, first rode Oxheys at Uttoxeter in November 1958, finishing seventh. They were sent off as favourite when dropped into selling company at Market Rasen six months later but could only finish second. Nine days later, they achieved the first victories of their respective careers when winning the Grange Selling Handicap Hurdle at Cartmel on Whit Monday, May 18, 1959.
Interestingly, they were all in the same race, a selling hurdle on Cartmel’s Whit Monday Bank Holiday card. A chestnut filly named Oxheys arrived in Britain as a four-year-old in the spring of 1957, having been unplaced in four maiden hurdles in Ireland, and joined the Garswood, Lancashire stable of permit trainer George Stothard. She ran five times the following season without making the frame. Jim Drinkwater, who had yet to ride a winner, first rode Oxheys at Uttoxeter in November 1958, finishing seventh. They were sent off as favourite when dropped into selling company at Market Rasen six months later but could only finish second. Nine days later, they achieved the first victories of their respective careers when winning the Grange Selling Handicap Hurdle at Cartmel on Whit Monday, May 18, 1959.
The following season Jim rode Oxheys seven times. Their sole attempt at steeplechasing didn’t get far as they parted company at the second fence of a Warwick selling chase. Back hurdling they finished third at Market Rasen on Easter Monday and then returned to Cartmel to win the Grange Selling Handicap Hurdle for a second time on Whit Monday, June 4, 1960.
The following season Jim rode Oxheys seven times. Their sole attempt at steeplechasing didn’t get far as they parted company at the second fence of a Warwick selling chase. Back hurdling they finished third at Market Rasen on Easter Monday and then returned to Cartmel to win the Grange Selling Handicap Hurdle for a second time on Whit Monday, June 4, 1960.
Jim rode Oxheys in three races in the first month of the 1960/61 campaign but the horse was not seen again until Cartmel at Whitsun when, partnered this time by Frank Dever, he finished third in his attempt for a third Grange Selling Handicap Hurdle on what was to prove his final start.
Jim rode Oxheys in three races in the first month of the 1960/61 campaign but the horse was not seen again until Cartmel at Whitsun when, partnered this time by Frank Dever, he finished third in his attempt for a third Grange Selling Handicap Hurdle on what was to prove his final start.
Scotch Fair was bought by Mr A. E. George for 220 guineas after winning a Worcester selling hurdle for Tommy Cross in December 1961.
Scotch Fair was bought by Mr A. E. George for 220 guineas after winning a Worcester selling hurdle for Tommy Cross in December 1961.
He was sent to J. C. Mason, who trained at Wigston, near Leicester. Jim Drinkwater rode Scotch Fair a couple of times that season and five times the next, their best effort being a third place finish in, yes, Cartmel’s Grange Selling Handicap Hurdle on Whit Monday 1963.
He was sent to J. C. Mason, who trained at Wigston, near Leicester. Jim Drinkwater rode Scotch Fair a couple of times that season and five times the next, their best effort being a third place finish in, yes, Cartmel’s Grange Selling Handicap Hurdle on Whit Monday 1963.
The following season, having made the frame on their two most recent efforts at Uttoxeter and Bangor-on-Dee, they returned to Cartmel and dead-heated with Johnnie East’s mount Rapin for first place in the Grange Selling Handicap Hurdle on Whit Monday, May 18, 1964.
The following season, having made the frame on their two most recent efforts at Uttoxeter and Bangor-on-Dee, they returned to Cartmel and dead-heated with Johnnie East’s mount Rapin for first place in the Grange Selling Handicap Hurdle on Whit Monday, May 18, 1964.
That was as good as it got for Jim Drinkwater and for Scotch Fair. They were united in 17 more races over the next four seasons, including an ambitious attempt in the Liverpool Hurdle on Grand National day 1967, but were never so much as placed again.
That was as good as it got for Jim Drinkwater and for Scotch Fair. They were united in 17 more races over the next four seasons, including an ambitious attempt in the Liverpool Hurdle on Grand National day 1967, but were never so much as placed again.
Jim had his last ride in public and 12-year-old Scotch Fair had his final race before retirement in the Uttoxeter selling hurdle on June 4, 1968.
Jim had his last ride in public and 12-year-old Scotch Fair had his final race before retirement in the Uttoxeter selling hurdle on June 4, 1968.
Having combined in almost 30 races over hurdles, it was perhaps appropriate that they should bow out together.
Having combined in almost 30 races over hurdles, it was perhaps appropriate that they should bow out together.
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