John Barber

John Barber

Article by Alan Trout

John Charles Barber made a good start to his career over jumps with a winner on his first ride but was unable to build on that success. 

Apprenticed to Jack Berry, it was on Severus, owned and trained by Jack, that he had his sole victory, when the six-year-old quickened in the closing stages to catch Lucker Princess (subsequently disqualified) and land the Swale Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle at Catterick Bridge on January 12, 1974. 

Severus had finished second on his two previous starts that season and occupied that position again when he and John attempted to follow up at Newcastle six days later, beaten two and a half lengths by Hassendean Burn. They were his only two rides of the season and he was not seen in action again until December 1975. 

It was a short-lived comeback. His final ride was on Happy Call, finishing a never nearer fifth of eight runners in the Trustthorpe Selling Hurdle at Market Rasen on May 1, 1976.