Joe Dines

1891-1968

Born in West Ham on November 17, 1891, Joseph William Dines – always known as Johnny – was apprenticed to Irish trainer John Musker and rode over 500 winners for him before coming to Epsom to ride for James Killalee.

Johnny was one of the smallest jockeys to ply his trade; he was a soft-spoken, whimsical man, a very good judge of horseflesh and a fine rider to hounds. 

He won many major races including the Cesarewitch (Eagle’s Provide), Cambridgeshire (Double Life), Lincolnshire Handicap (Play On), Chester Cup twice (Bonny Brighteyes and Cho-sen), Ebor Handicap (Dictum) and the Portland Handicap (Polar Bear).

Johnny also won the Liverpool Summer Cup five times in succession (though one, China King in 1932, was subsequently disqualified for bumping and boring).

He retired after being injured at Manchester on June 6, 1936, and began training.

Johnny sent out the winner of the Cambridgeshire, Artist’s Prince, in his first season as a trainer. 

His other major training successes were achieved with Careless Nora the 1948 Nunthorpe Stakes winner; Rose Of Torridge, winner of the 1948 Princess Margaret Stakes; and Harwin winner of the 1953 Oxfordshire Stakes and 1954 John Porter Stakes. 

Joseph Dines died in Epsom Hospital on February 21, 1968, aged 76.

Major wins:

1926: Prince Edward Handicap (Manchester) – Market Basket 

1927: Liverpool Spring Cup – Grandflight 

1927: Dee Stakes – Royal Pom

1927: Cesarewitch – Eagle’s Pride 

1927: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Autocrat  

1928: Newbury Summer Cup – Kinchinjunga   

1928: Derby Cup – Constant Son  

1929: Chesterfield Cup – Double Life 

1929: Cambridgeshire – Double Life 

1930: Bibury Cup – Roi des Aulnes 

1930: Liverpool Summer Cup – Acragas 

1930: Goodwood Stakes – Joyous Greeting 

1931: Liverpool Summer Cup – Flange

1932: Chester Cup – Bonny Brighteyes 

1933: Liverpool Summer Cup –Diamantée

1933: Ebor Handicap – Dictum 

1933: Prince Edward Handicap (Manchester) – Knuckleduster 

1933: Manchester November Handicap – Jean’s Dream 

1934: Lincolnshire Handicap – Play On

1934: Manchester Cup – Tuxedo 

1934: Britannia Stakes – Guinea Gap

1934: Liverpool Summer Cup – Gay Dancer 

1935: Liverpool Spring Cup – Gay Dancer 

1936: Chester Cup – Cho-sen