John Cook

Though never champion jockey, John Dennis Cook was nonetheless an above average rider who's greatest triumph came in the 1971 Grand National aboard the nine-year-old Specify, a 28-1 chance which won by just a neck in one of the closest finishes ever. 

Two months earlier, riding for the same trainer, John Sutcliffe, he had won the Schweppes Gold Trophy Hurdle in another desperate finish on the 33/1 outsider Cala Mesquida.

This was the second time John had ridden Specify in the National: three years earlier the pair had been brought down at Becher's by The Otter.

 John had first ridden in the National in 1967, Foinavon's year, finishing a remote 15th on 66/1 shot Ross Sea.

Born at Barry, in Wales, on June 17, 1937, John served his apprenticeship at Kingsclere with Evan Williams and Peter Hastings-Bass, After doing his National Service in the Royal Navy, he found himself too heavy to return as a flat race jockey: consequently he turned to National Hunt racing, gaining employment with the Oxfordshire trainer, Frank Cundell. He broke through in the 1965-66 season, riding 36 winners and finishing 11th in the jockeys' table.

His win on Spanish Steps in the Champion Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 1969 truly established his claims as a leading rider: just two years later it was all over.

On Wednesday November 24, 1971, riding the even-money favourite Noble Birth, John broke his right leg for the second time when the horse ploughed through the rails.

Trainer Guy Harwood said after: 'John is in extreme pain. the incident happened because of greenness on the part of the horse.'

A year later, on Wednesday December 20th, 1972, John was advised after a medical to give up race riding.

John said at the time: 'My specialist, Mr Bill Tucker, told me that if I broke my leg again, I could be in serious trouble. The leg is good enough to lead a normal life, but it wouldn't take another fall at 30 mph over fences.'

The Wiltshire-born jockey, then aged 35, had ridden 297 winners.

He and his family emigrated to Western Australia, where he took a job as assistant trainer. 

After a long battle against illness, John Cook died in 1999. He was 62.

Biggest Wins:

1968:  Black & White Whisky Gold Cup - Spanish Steps

1969:  Hennessy Gold Cup - Spanish Steps

1969:  Totalisator  Champion Chase - Spanish Steps

1969:  Benson & Hedges Chase - Spanish Steps

1971:  Grand National - Specify

1971:  Schweppes Gold Trophy - Cala Mesquida

1971:  Stones Ginger Wine - Spanish Steps