Flat jockey Jason Edmunds was born on November 8, 1971. He rode a total of 89 winners, mostly for his father-in-law John Balding, for whom he also played a vital role in preparing the stable’s 2008 Dubai Carnival winner Turn On The Style.
John began his racing career aged 18. He married Balding’s daughter Claire – who also rode as a jockey – and rode for most of his career as stable jockey to his father-in-law. He never had a big-race winner and struggled for outside rides.
His last two winners were achieved on Soba Jones in six-furlong handicaps at Southwell, on February 28 and March 19, 2007. The following month, Jason shattered his right knee in a fall at Thirsk, which eventually brought about his retirement.
He was out of action for over a year before making an abortive return. He had just two rides, the second of which was on Fiona Fox at Redcar on May 12, 2008, finishing last of 12 runners. Aged 37, he was left with no alternative but to quit after being informed by the BHA’s chief medical adviser, Dr Michael Turner, that the kneecap would never regain the range of movement required for race-riding.
Although unable to ride competitively any longer, he continued to ride work for John Balding and became his assistant trainer while also developing a 15-box yard he and his wife Claire owned in Scrooby, near Bawtry, in South Yorkshire.
Jason’s son, Lewis Edmunds, is now a successful apprentice jockey.
