James (always known as Jem) was born in Exeter c1796. A contemporary of Jem Robinson, he learned the art of jockeyship in the stables of Frank Neale at Newmarket. He cut his teeth at Beccles, Waveney, and - with the exception of a few years spent in Northleach - rode almost exclusively at Newmarket.

He won the 1833 Derby on Dangerous (which was almost certainly a four-year-old), then that year’s Oaks on the 50/1 outsider Vespa. He collected a second Derby trophy in 1838 on the brown colt Amato. This was the only time Amato appeared on a racecourse. He was injured shortly after winning and retired.

James was rarely seen on the racecourse after this (except in the colours of Amato’s owner, Sir Gilbert Heathcote): James had won enough to be able to ration his rides around his leisure time. In 1850, however, as fresh as paint, he returned to racing-riding and promptly landed the Autumn double: he carried off the Cesarewitch on Mr Payne’s Glauca and the Cambridgeshire on Mr. Gratwicke’s Landgrave. It was an astonishing performance.

He retained his faculties to the end, which came on Thursday, 10th June, 1858, and was the result of a long and gradual decay of the constitution. 

Aged 62, he was buried at St Laurence and St Peter churchyard, Eriswell, Suffolk.

James left effects of under £8,000.

He was married St Mary’s Church Newmarket on 9th Dec 1835 to Eleanor Jennings. They had one daughter, Letitia Eleanor.

James was odd in that he never discussed racing. He had no real liking for the profession but was very good when he chose to ride. His last ride came on the 5/1 unplaced favourite Songstress in the 1853 Cesarewitch. 

The Hare and Hounds pub in Chalk Lane, Epsom, was renamed The Amato as a tribute to the 1838 Derby winner. Tradition has it that the name of the Derby winner is chalked onto the pub’s well on the morning of the race.

James Chapple’s classic wins:

The Derby: Dangerous (1833) and Amato (1838)

The Oaks: Vespa (1833)

Other big wins include: Doncaster Cup  (1831) on The Sadler; Stewards' Cup (1842) om Lady Adela; Cesarewitch (1850) on Glauca; Cambridgeshire (1840) on Roscius and (1850) on Landgrave; Goodwood Stakes (1836) Felix; Coronation Stakes (1843) on La Stimata; Ascot Derby (1840) Bokhara, (1843) Amorino and (1846) Bravissima.