John Clancy

John Clancy

Article by Alan Trout

Northern-based apprentice jockey John Clancy rode on the Flat for three seasons in the early 1920s. He enjoyed some success with 11 wins in all, nine of them in 1922 alone. 

He was apprenticed to Frederick Charles Archer (1882-1928), nephew of the legendary Fred Archer and destined to train Double Chance to win the 1925 Grand National before being killed in a motoring accident three years later. 

John had his first ride in the early days of the 1921 season when partnering Sunbelle, who finished unplaced in the Thursby Selling Plate at Liverpool on March 17, a race won by Bernard ‘Brownie’ Carslake on Gamble.

Neither Sunbelle, who he rode twice more that season, nor any other horse was able to provide John with his first win. That did not come until April 18, 1922 when Forceful, trained by Archer, won the Brunton Juvenile Selling Plate at Newcastle by five lengths. None of the nine wins he achieved that year were in big races, but he had 175 mounts, an indication of how highly he was regarded. 

It was thus disappointing that he rode only two winners in his final season, despite still having over 100 rides. It was not until October 24, 1923 at Newcastle that John opened his account for the year by winning the Northumberland Autumn Handicap on Lady Caroline. One week later came what proved to be his final victory, with Karelia taking the Bogside Handicap Plate at that course by a short-head.

At Derby on November 16, 1923, John had rides in the first two races, but neither Ripe in the Stainsby Selling Plate or Polyphonous in the Drakelow Juvenile Selling Plate were placed. He did not ride in public again. 

John Clancy’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Forceful, Newcastle, April 18, 1922

2. Maria Monk, Redcar, June 6, 1922

3. Duncomb, Pontefract, July 6, 1922

4. Lady Rose, Ripon, August 8, 1922

5. Vaulter, Stockton, August 22, 1922

6. Mrs Yorick, Catterick Bridge, September 30, 1922

7. Loch Fyne, Haydock Park, October 5, 1922

8. Ballytoi, Newcastle, October 17, 1922

9.  Rocky Night, Stockton, October 21, 1922

10. Lady Caroline, Newcastle, October 24, 1923

11. Karelia, Bogside, October 31, 1923