John Bedford
Article by Alan Trout
National Hunt jockey John Bedford rode 10 winners at the turn of the 20th century, recording a best score of seven in 1899. He had his first success at Wolverhampton on October 25, 1898, when Merry Chanter was an easy eight-length winner of the Penn Selling Chase.
Victories on both days of Plymouth’s meeting in September was perhaps the highlight of his 1899 campaign, winning the Chelson Selling Hurdle on Miss Royston and the Stonehouse Handicap Chase on Bellcote.
However, John only managed one success in 1900 and did not hold a licence for the next couple of years. Decoy Duck provided him with his last win when taking the Tantivy Steeplechase at Gatwick on March 18, 1903, that being the four-year-old’s only run of the year.
John Bedford’s wins were, in chronological order:
1. Merry Chanter, Wolverhampton, October 25, 1898
2. Romeo, Wolverhampton, April 3, 1899
3. Merry Chanter, Nottingham, May 16, 1899
4. Miss Royston, Paisley, August 10, 1899
5. Miss Royston, Plymouth, September 20, 1899
6. Bellcote, Plymouth, September 21, 1899
7. Pompous, Nottingham, October 17, 1899
8. Harpoon, Wolverhampton, December 27, 1899
9. Antidote, Lingfield Park, March 16, 1900
10. Decoy Duck, Gatwick, March 18, 1903
John Bedford's first winner: Merry Chanter at Wolverhampton, October 25, 1898
John Bedford's two wins in September 1899: Miss Royston at Plymouth, September 20, and Bellcote at the same track the following afternoon.
John's final winner was Decoy Duck, Gatwick, March 18, 1903.
