Although Lawrence Thomas Adams rode on the Flat between 1925 and 1929, with perhaps a break in 1926, he only managed one win during that period.
He started his apprenticeship with trainer Charlie Howard and had his first ride on Longniddry Lass who finished unplaced in the Apprentices’ Handicap Plate at Lewes on June 8, 1925.
He does not appear to have ridden in 1926, but in 1927 he had his sole victory on the Flat. That came at Folkestone on August 8, when his mount Fair Charlotte, trained by former successful jump jockey George Clancy, beat three rivals, two of whom dwelt at the start, to win the Apprentices’ Stakes.
In 1928 Lawrence joined the stables of Charles Chapman, but his fortunes did not improve. He had his last ride on the Flat when Blue Bell finished unplaced on the Myton Selling Plate at Warwick on November 20, 1929.
Seeking to establish himself over jumps, he joined the unorthodox England-based American trainer Morgan de Witt Blair at Ewhurst, in Surrey. However, he again found opportunities hard to come by.
His one success under National Hunt rules came at Plumpton on February 13, 1933 when Annie Yutoi, trained by former jump jockey Reg Prioleau, won the Portslade Selling Chase. It was the only time Lawrence rode the six-year-old who was usually partnered by James Hickey. Although sold at the post-race auction, the horse stayed in Prioleau’s stable and won next time out when ridden by Billy Stott.
On Wednesday, November 28, 1934, 22-year-old Lawrence Adams suffered a heavy fall from his mount Toroku at the halfway point in the Moderate Steeplechase at Newbury.
The ill-fated rider fractured his skull and was rushed to the local hospital where he died, some three hours later, without recovering consciousness.
Information on his Flat racing career provided by Alan Trout.
Lawrence's only win of his short career: Fair Charlotte at Folkestone, 1927
