James Collins
Article by Alan Trout
James Collins rode 44 winners between 1927 and 1933, with a best total of 11 in 1930. He was granted a full licence for the first time in 1927, so it is quite possible that he was the same jockey as the James Collins who, in 1916, was apprenticed to William Baker, who trained at Collingbourne, in Wiltshire.
He had his first ride in public on Little Mabel, who finished unplaced in the Cheveley Double Handicap at Newbury on April 29, 1916. There were no more sightings of a James Collins after that year until 1927 when a jockey of that name partnered Star Saint, who finished down the field in the Guy Selling Plate at Warwick on March 28.
The following day on the same course, James registered his first victory when Happy Ben, trained by Captain Coldicott, won the Milverton High-weight Handicap. Freddie Fox, who rode the runner-up Master Jim, objected to the winner on the grounds of ‘striking my horse on the mouth’ but the objection was overruled and James was on his way.
One more winner followed that season when Erizo won the Buccleuch Handicap at Edinburgh on September 21.
James improved his score each year after that until 1930, but by 1933 he was down to just two wins. However, the second of those two was his greatest triumph when Great Scot, trained by Herbert Fergusson, won the City and Suburban Handicap at Epsom. Although James partnered Great Scot on his next three outings, he was unable to repeat the feat.
Later that season, James had his final ride when finishing second on The Dominie in the Clearwell Selling Plate at Chepstow on October 4, beaten by Gordon Richards on Brush Past. He did not renew his licence in 1934.
