James Akehurst

James Charles Akehurst was born on September 12, 1958, and lived for a time at 18, Alder Close, Ridgeway, Heathfield.

James, aged 19, celebrated his first success aboard Tudor Jewel at Fontwell in late November 1977 and quickly followed up with a second on November 29 when winning on its stable-mate, Scots Gambol, at Plumpton.

He rode mostly on the Plumpton, Fontwell, Folkestone, Lingfield circuit.

After a reasonable career in the saddle, he turned to training and running a livery yard in Middleham. He was also for a time a flying groom for Godolphin.

James married Vera Kathleen on July 14, 1984.

Away from the saddle, James kept tropical fish.