Jump jockey James Banks rode about 90 winners during his career before announcing his retirement in 2018. He came from a horse racing background. His father Martin was an assistant trainer and pre-trainer, while grandfather Terry Stringer was a successful Flat jockey in the 1960s.
James first sprang to prominence when winning an amateur riders’ handicap chase on the Alan King-trained Rustarix at Cheltenham’s Open Meeting in November 2010, a race televised by Channel 4. He turned professional the following season.
He nominated The Druids Nephew and Michael Flips as the best he rode. He partnered Michael Flips in two valuable handicap chases at Cheltenham and won on him at Ludlow in April 2013.
He rode winners at Auteuil and Maisons-Lafitte as well as a double in Germany. His British highlights included a treble at Market Rasen on Boxing Day 2015 aboard Ballyadeen and West Of The Edge for Dai Williams and Chankillo for Sarah-Jayne Davies.
He called time on his career, aged 34, after finishing second on Arquebusier in a handicap chase at Chepstow on February 2, 2018.
On February 3, 2020, James Banks was found dead at his home near Cheltenham. He was 36.
Police were called to his home after James did not turn up for work at the Naunton stables of Emma-Jane Bishop, where he has been working since August.
Bishop said: "It's an awful shock. James was part of the family, a part of my life for a long time and like a brother to me.
"He'd ridden most of our horses in his career and came back to us to help out last August.
"Our thoughts are with his family at this time."
James Banks committed suicide almost two years to the day since he called time on his riding career. In a note he left, James explained that he's recently lost his home and was bankrupt.
James, a popular figure in the weighing room, was found on Monday morning. A Gloucestershire police spokesperson said: "Police were called to an address in Naunton, Cheltenham shortly after 9 am this morning, Monday, February 3, following a report of a sudden death."
