Joe Dyson
1907 - 1980
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Christened John Dyson but better known as Joe or, more popularly, ‘Ginger’, Dyson was a northern-based Flat jockey whose career spanned over 35 years.
Christened John Dyson but better known as Joe or, more popularly, ‘Ginger’, Dyson was a northern-based Flat jockey whose career spanned over 35 years.
Unusually tall for a jockey, he was born in 1907. His father was connected with a shipping company and Ginger might well have followed him into the firm’s Liverpool offices if he had put on weight proportionate to the way he grew upwards. However, he was able to ride at 7st throughout his career without having to be overly careful about his diet.
Unusually tall for a jockey, he was born in 1907. His father was connected with a shipping company and Ginger might well have followed him into the firm’s Liverpool offices if he had put on weight proportionate to the way he grew upwards. However, he was able to ride at 7st throughout his career without having to be overly careful about his diet.
He thus had nature on his side when, in 1923, he signed on as an apprentice with H. D. Bazley at Malton. Although he did not ride a winner during his apprenticeship, he was highly successful in another sporting sphere, proving himself a veritable tiger in the boxing ring, in successive years lifting the five stone, five stone seven, and the six stone seven categories in the stable lads’ championships.
He thus had nature on his side when, in 1923, he signed on as an apprentice with H. D. Bazley at Malton. Although he did not ride a winner during his apprenticeship, he was highly successful in another sporting sphere, proving himself a veritable tiger in the boxing ring, in successive years lifting the five stone, five stone seven, and the six stone seven categories in the stable lads’ championships.
When coming out of his time, Ginger rode for several seasons in Sweden where he had his fair share of winners. He finally opened his British account when dead-heating on a horse named Glendaruel in the six-furlong Hackfall Handicap at Ripon on May 5, 1933.
When coming out of his time, Ginger rode for several seasons in Sweden where he had his fair share of winners. He finally opened his British account when dead-heating on a horse named Glendaruel in the six-furlong Hackfall Handicap at Ripon on May 5, 1933.
He visited India in 1935, where he enjoyed further success. Back in Britain, he continued to ply his trade in the north and rode plenty of winners without ever landing a big race victory.
He visited India in 1935, where he enjoyed further success. Back in Britain, he continued to ply his trade in the north and rode plenty of winners without ever landing a big race victory.
Asked to nominate the highlight of his career, he plumped for Saturday, July 31, 1948, when he and his good friend Bill Nevett went through the card between them at Catterick. Both rode trebles, Joe’s coming on Unanimous, Navigate and Here’s Cherry.
Asked to nominate the highlight of his career, he plumped for Saturday, July 31, 1948, when he and his good friend Bill Nevett went through the card between them at Catterick. Both rode trebles, Joe’s coming on Unanimous, Navigate and Here’s Cherry.
Ginger was by then at the height of his career. He rode 21 winners in 1949 and 19 in 1950 but thereafter his season’s scores slipped into single figures.
Ginger was by then at the height of his career. He rode 21 winners in 1949 and 19 in 1950 but thereafter his season’s scores slipped into single figures.
Joe rode his last two winners in 1956: Pearlinda at Thirsk on June 26, and New Idea at Ripon on August 6. He retired in 1959 and became landlord of The Fleece at Malton while continuing to ride out for Malton trainers.
Joe rode his last two winners in 1956: Pearlinda at Thirsk on June 26, and New Idea at Ripon on August 6. He retired in 1959 and became landlord of The Fleece at Malton while continuing to ride out for Malton trainers.
Joe Dyson died in 1980, aged 73.
Joe Dyson died in 1980, aged 73.
His son, Terry Dyson, played on the wing for Tottenham Hotspur for ten years between 1955 and 1965, making a total of 209 appearances and scoring 55 goals. He joined Spurs from non-league Scarborough and was a regular member of ‘The Double’ winning side of 1960-61, and scored in the 1961 FA Cup Final against Leicester. He also won a winners’ medal in the 1963 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup Final against Atlético Madrid in which he scored twice.
His son, Terry Dyson, played on the wing for Tottenham Hotspur for ten years between 1955 and 1965, making a total of 209 appearances and scoring 55 goals. He joined Spurs from non-league Scarborough and was a regular member of ‘The Double’ winning side of 1960-61, and scored in the 1961 FA Cup Final against Leicester. He also won a winners’ medal in the 1963 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup Final against Atlético Madrid in which he scored twice.