Tom Davies
Thomas Davies
Thomas Davies
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Thomas Frederick Owen Davies, known as Tom, was associated with permit holder Bill Manners, who owned and trained half a dozen horses, based at Horton Grange, Seaton Burn, near Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Thomas Frederick Owen Davies, known as Tom, was associated with permit holder Bill Manners, who owned and trained half a dozen horses, based at Horton Grange, Seaton Burn, near Newcastle-on-Tyne.
He rode five winners over jumps, the first of which was at Kelso on March 1, 1969 when his mount, Veranearly, won the Crailing Hurdle (Division 2) by four lengths. It was the first time he had ridden the five-year-old, who was normally partnered by top amateur rider Graham Macmillan.
He rode five winners over jumps, the first of which was at Kelso on March 1, 1969 when his mount, Veranearly, won the Crailing Hurdle (Division 2) by four lengths. It was the first time he had ridden the five-year-old, who was normally partnered by top amateur rider Graham Macmillan.
Tom had to wait until nearly the end of the season before doubling his score, when Lord Butch was a comfortable winner of Newcastle’s Cambo Novices Hurdle (Division 1) by seven lengths.
Tom had to wait until nearly the end of the season before doubling his score, when Lord Butch was a comfortable winner of Newcastle’s Cambo Novices Hurdle (Division 1) by seven lengths.
He made a good start the following season when winning the £1,000 (worth £848 to the winner) White Rose Handicap Chase at Teesside Park on October 11 aboard Whataway. His three rivals that day were ridden by senior professionals Pat Buckley, Ernie Fenwick and Paddy Broderick. Tom kept the ride for the seven-year-old’s next outing (the horse’s last for over two years) when finishing third in the Anthony Marshall Trophy at Kelso.
He made a good start the following season when winning the £1,000 (worth £848 to the winner) White Rose Handicap Chase at Teesside Park on October 11 aboard Whataway. His three rivals that day were ridden by senior professionals Pat Buckley, Ernie Fenwick and Paddy Broderick. Tom kept the ride for the seven-year-old’s next outing (the horse’s last for over two years) when finishing third in the Anthony Marshall Trophy at Kelso.
Whereas Bill Manners had owned and trained Tom’s first three winners, it was another local permit holder, Bill Page, based at Dennington, near Newcastle-on-Tyne, who supplied his fourth. That came on Sioxante Neuf, a five-length winner of the Jedburgh Novices’ Chase at Kelso in November 1969, beating Ron Barry’s mount Autumn Wood.
Whereas Bill Manners had owned and trained Tom’s first three winners, it was another local permit holder, Bill Page, based at Dennington, near Newcastle-on-Tyne, who supplied his fourth. That came on Sioxante Neuf, a five-length winner of the Jedburgh Novices’ Chase at Kelso in November 1969, beating Ron Barry’s mount Autumn Wood.
Tom kept the ride on Soixante Neuf, although neither horse or jockey won another race for almost two years. Soixante Neuf did not run between early August 1970 and late April 1971, by which time had been acquired by Fordingbridge, Hampshire permit holder Mrs Mita Easton, who combined training her horses with running a pub.
Tom kept the ride on Soixante Neuf, although neither horse or jockey won another race for almost two years. Soixante Neuf did not run between early August 1970 and late April 1971, by which time had been acquired by Fordingbridge, Hampshire permit holder Mrs Mita Easton, who combined training her horses with running a pub.
At last, on September 24, 1971, the seven-year-old Soixante Neuf won the Hampton Opportunity Handicap Chase at Hereford. Sadly, that was as good as it got for both horse and jockey. Sioxante Neuf followed his Hereford success with two falls and a pulled up to end his career, while Tom Davies had only five rides during the whole of that 1971/72 campaign and did not renew his licence the following season.
At last, on September 24, 1971, the seven-year-old Soixante Neuf won the Hampton Opportunity Handicap Chase at Hereford. Sadly, that was as good as it got for both horse and jockey. Sioxante Neuf followed his Hereford success with two falls and a pulled up to end his career, while Tom Davies had only five rides during the whole of that 1971/72 campaign and did not renew his licence the following season.
Tom Davies’s winners were, in chronological order:
Tom Davies’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Veranearly, Kelso, March 1, 1969
1. Veranearly, Kelso, March 1, 1969
2. Lord Butch, Newcastle, May 31, 1969
2. Lord Butch, Newcastle, May 31, 1969
3. Whataway, Teesside Park, October 11, 1969
3. Whataway, Teesside Park, October 11, 1969
4. Soixante Neuf, Kelso, November 11, 1969
4. Soixante Neuf, Kelso, November 11, 1969
5. Soixante Neuf, Hereford, September 24, 1971
5. Soixante Neuf, Hereford, September 24, 1971