Jack Barratt

Jack Barratt

1898-1970

Better known for his achievements as a trainer, John Norman Barratt, known as Jack, rode three winners under National Hunt rules, all within the space of six days, but never had another. 

Born on October 22, 1898, the son of Findon trainer Fred Barratt, Jack served his apprenticeship with former classic-winning jockey William Halsey. He had his first ride when unplaced on Brahan in the Bedford Two-Year-Old Stakes at Newmarket on May16, 1918. Although he had the occasional mount in 1919 there was no breakthrough. 

He took out at National Hunt jockey’s licence in 1921 and later that year achieved his first success when St Bernard took the Southern Double Handicap Chase at Lingfield Park on December 16, beating Super Man, ridden by Jack Anthony, by five lengths. 

Then at Hurst Park on December 21 there was an even more emphatic victory when Santavon took the Strawberry Hill Hurdle by eight lengths, with another top jockey, George Duller, second on Most Beautiful. The following day at the same course, St Bernard romped home by 20 lengths to land the Molesey Handicap Chase. Both St Bernard and Santavon were trained by James Batho at Alfriston, in Sussex.

Although Jack Barratt held a licence in 1922, there were no more winners. He took out a trainer’s licence in 1953, based at Cholderton, near Salisbury. Among the best horses he trained were chasers Sir Edgar, Le Voyageur and Seas End. He won Wincanton’s Lord Stalbridge Gold Cup two years running with Le Voyageur (1958) and Seas End (1959). 

Being based near Salisbury Plain, he was, along with Alec Kilpatrick, the go-to trainer for many of the soldiers based there with aspirations of winning the Grand Military Gold Cup, although that particular race eluded him.  

Jack Barratt died in 1970, aged 72.