James Cameron

James Cameron - who rode as R Cameron - finished runner-up in the 1866 jockeys' table to Sam Kenyon. Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, he was apprenticed to Tom Dawson at Tupgill, Yorkshire.

Amongst his chief patrons were Mr J. Dawson and Mr J. Johnstone, for whom he won the Northumberland Plate on Rocco in 1866. This was the year in which he also won the Metropolitan  Stakes on Treasure Trove, the Liverpool Summer Cup on Terror, the Ascot Stakes on War and the Shrewsbury Cup on Vigorous. 

The following season he won the Shrewsbury Cup again, this time on Tynedale.

James won 85 races in 1866, 86 winners in 1887 and 60 in 1968.

Another great riding performance came in the 1867 Ebor Handicap on the three-year-old Mandrake, trained by Tom Dawson. Mandrake, by Weatherbit-Mandragora, carried 6st 3lb, being one pound overweight, and receiving 22lb from the four-year-old Beeswing, the property of 'Squire' Heathcote. Good horses in opposition included Gomers, Challenge, Dalby, Ackworth, Fortuna  and Seville. It was a high-class field.

Beeswing, ridden by Christopher Prior and well clear as the lower part of the stand enclosure was reached, was eased with dangerous confidence by his jockey, a move instantly spotted by James. At the risk of a collision, James forced Mandrake up between Beeswing and the rails, and before Prior could get his mount going again, James and Mandrake had pulled the race from the fire to win by a head.

His good run continued in 1868 when winning the City & Suburban on Speculum, the Ascot Gold Cup on Blue Gown, the Ayr Gold Cup on Tabouret and the Liverpool Summer Cup on The Dean.

In 1869 he won the Lincoln on Sycee.

On Wednesday, 17 January 1872, a teenage James found himself in court and up against trainer Thomas Masterman, who claimed that James owed him £82. 6s in gambling debts. Finding for the plaintiff,  the young jockey was ordered to settle up.

By 1875, James was selling racing tips at 2/6 each, available by wire at Newcastle Post Office.

Aged 51, James Cameron died at his home, 87, Askew Road, Gateshead, on Monday, 17 April, 1899. He had been in indifferent health for some years, but his death still came as a shock to his friends.