John Comley

John Comley

Article by Alan Trout

Considering that he first held a licence in the 1949/50 season, National Hunt jockey John Arthur Comley had to wait some time for his only win over jumps. This came at Hurst Park on December 21, 1951, when he rode Sports Provider to victory by four lengths in the Maze Novices’ Hurdle, beating 31 rivals. 

Trained by Tom Griffiths, the five-year-old had run for the first time under NH rules just 14 days earlier, finishing third at Lingfield Park with John aboard. 

Following their Hurst Park success, they finished third again at Lingfield Park on January 11, 1952, but twelve days later came a last flight fall at Newbury in which Sports Provider sadly suffered a fatal injury. 

John Comley only had a dozen rides during that season. He did not renew his licence after the 1952/53 campaign.