Jonathan Clarke

Jonathan Clarke

Article by Alan Trout

Jonathan Clarke rode over jumps for several season in the late 1980s and early 90s, ending with 11 wins, including three on Plumpton specialist Manhattan Boy. He rode as a conditional for Brighton trainer Arthur Moore, who supplied all but three of his victories.

Jonathan finished second on his first ride, when High Heaven beat all but Slip Up in the Valley Gardens Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Ascot on October 29, 1986. It was more than 18 months before he opened his account on Miss Brantridge, recording a comfortable eight-length success in the West of England Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newton Abbot on May 17, 1988. It was the six-year-olds 15th start of the season but just the second time Jonathan had ridden her. 

The only other trainer to provide him with winners was John Fitch-Hayes, and it was on his Manhattan Boy that he had his next two wins. Nearly four years after the second of them, the gallant ten-year-old teamed up with Jonathan for a third success. Sixty-four of Manhattan Boy’s 88 starts were at Plumpton. He won 14 times there and never won anywhere else. The ultimate course specialist, he was in the frame a further 21 times there.

Jonathan had his final victory when Fighting Days won the Coomes Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Chase at Fontwell Park on November 30, 1993, running on strongly to beat Wickfield Lad by four lengths, having finished second on their previous start. 

Jonathan Clarke’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Miss Brantridge, Newton Abbot, May 17, 1988

2. Manhattan Boy, Plumpton, November 23, 1988

3. Manhattan Boy, Plumpton, December 13, 1988

4. Always Dangerous, Lingfield Park, December 22, 1988

5. Northern Alliance, Plumpton, January 29, 1990

6. Bendicks, Plumpton, December 31, 1991

7. Solid Steel, Exeter, September 29, 1992

8. Solid Steel, Plumpton, October 20, 1992

9. Manhattan Boy, Plumpton, November 25, 1992

10. Juliasdark Invader, Plumpton, November 15, 1993

11. Fighting Days, Fontwell Park, November 30, 1993