John Cockeram

John Cockeram

Article by Alan Trout

John Cockeram only rode for two full seasons in Britain but managed 40 winners. Between the wars he rode successfully in several European countries.

Born on September 6, 1889 he was apprenticed to William Elsey, who trained at Baumber House, Lincolnshire. John first appeared on a racecourse when finishing unplaced on Pedal in the Orme Optional Selling Plate at Catterick Bridge on April 8, 1904. By the end of the season he had failed to ride a winner.

The following year was a special one for William Elsey. He sent out 124 winners, more than twice as many as any other trainer. It was also a breakthrough year for John Cockeram with 11 victories, the first of which was gained at York on May 23, 1905 when Elsey’s three-year-old colt Lord Gascoigne won the Apprentices’ Handicap by a neck. On July 14 he registered a double at Haydock aboard Fairy Sands in the seven-furlong Friday Selling Handicap and Mistle in the five-furlong Makerfield Handicap. The Sporting Life commented on John’s improved riding and thought “he should be a useful lad for the Baumber stable”.

In 1906 he had 29 wins, recording further doubles at Birmingham, Paisley and Stockton. The Paisley double included victory in the historic Silver Bells Handicap on Ailsee Gourley, trained by Ossie Casebourne. (Paisley ceased racing under Jockey Club rules the following year.) John also finished second in the Northumberland Plate on Debutante and second in the Ebor Handicap on Montagon, beaten a head by Danny Maher on Gold Measure on the latter occasion. 

However, John’s 29th winner of the season, North Deighton in the West Riding Autumn Handicap at Pontefract on October 11, 1906, proved to be his last in Britain. He did not ride in 1907 and had only the occasional mount in 1908, ending with an unplaced effort on Lady Edith in the Tower Nursery Handicap at Folkestone on November 20. 

He did not renew his licence for 1909, but was apparently still riding, possibly in Romania, as late as 1928.