James Cannon
1891-1975
Article by Alan Trout
Born in 1891, James Herbert Sharp ‘Boxer’ Cannon was the son of Joe Cannon, who won the 1876 Grand National on Regal and trained three Classic winners.
James rode one winner over jumps in each of the two years prior to the outbreak of World War One, the first of which was at Birmingham on December 1, 1913, when steering Leeson Park, trained by his father, to victory by a length in the Guernsey Handicap Hurdle. He had previously finished third on the six-year-old in a race at Hooton Park in April that year.
James’s second, and last, winner was at Hurst Park on February 14, 1914, when Llanedyn took the Walton Selling Handicap Hurdle by four lengths. The winner was sold to Mr Eric Loder for 300 guineas at the post-race auction.
He had one opportunity to ride in a big race when partnering Sir Colin, who finished unplaced in the 1914 Imperial Cup at Sandown Park.
James did not renew his licence for 1915 and took over his father’s stable when he retired from training in 1919.
James Cannon's first win came at Birmingham on 1 December 1913
His final win came at Hurst Park on 14 February 1914.
