John Cartledge
Article by Alan Trout
John Cartledge rode briefly on the Flat for two seasons in the first decade of the 20th century
but made little impact.
He served his apprenticeship with Newmarket trainer Herbert Medcalfe and had his first ride
in public at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting on April 19, 1906, when finishing an encouraging
fourth of 17 runners in a horse named George IV in the Apprentices’ Handicap. The race was
won by Kaffir Chief, who provided jockey William Head with the first success of his career.
John was not so fortunate, and although George IV won next time out, it was another jockey,
John Murray, in the saddle that day.
After a fruitless 1906 season, John had his final ride, again at Newmarket, on a filly named
Sue in a two-year-old selling plate on July 4, 1907. Sue finished down the field, the race
being won by Quiz, ridden by Billy Higgs, who was well on his way to retaining his
champion jockey title.
John Cartledge later held a professional jockey’s licence for one season in 1910 but does not
appear to have had any mounts that year.
John Cartledge made his racecourse debut at Newmarket's Craven meeting, 1906, finishing fourth.
