Ossie Casebourne

Ossie Casebourne

1886-1929

Article by Alan Trout

Ossie Casebourne’s riding career followed a rather unusual path. He was a leading northern amateur jump jockey for a decade during the early years of the 20th century, then, at the age of 33, he turned professional and rode nearly 30 more winners under National Hunt rules, as well as four victories on the Flat and a ride in a Classic. 

Oswald James Casebourne was born in 1886. Like his brother Vernon he made a slow start to his racing career. His first ride was in the last race held in 1909, when at Catterick Bridge on December 31, he was beaten three lengths on Tynefield in a match for the Kiplin Plate, a National Hunt Flat Race. The winner, Nimrod VI, was owned by Mr J. E. Rogerson and ridden by the good amateur Richard Dand. 

Ossie’s first winner was at Wetherby on May 27, 1912 when Point Of View won the Linton Optional Selling Hurdle, beating two rivals. 

His breakthrough year was 1914, when he rode 20 winners, placing him third in the table of leading amateurs, even though the season was curtailed by the outbreak of war. A highlight of that season may have been a four-timer at Picton on April 11, but on closer inspection the feat is not so impressive. A walkover on Rough And Ready in the Crathorne Maiden Steeplechase was followed by victory on Handy Andy in a match for the Grand Handicap Hurdle. Then came a win on Knowing Bird in the four-runner Yarm Maiden Hurdle, and finally, success on Wavelet’s Pride in the three-runner Picton Hunters’ Handicap Chase. His four-timer involved beating a total of six rivals that afternoon. In fact, only 13 runners turned out for the six races, which included two walkovers and two matches.  

Picton was very much a home fixture for the Casebourne family. The racecourse was built on land farmed by Mr G. E. Casebourne, Ossie and Vernon’s father. Sadly, it was a short-lived affair. The inaugural meeting had taken place in April 1909 but it was plagued by a lack of runners throughout its six-year life. The final day’s racing took place on Saturday. March 13, 1915.  

Ossie’s last win as an amateur was on Ubeoff in the Saturday Selling Handicap Hurdle at Haydock Park on December 30, 1919. His first success in the professional ranks came aboard Woolcraft in the Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at Derby on March 1, 1920, defeating Stoney Jacket, the mount of former Grand National-winning jockey Bob Chadwick, by eight lengths. 

Woolcraft also provided Ossie with his final win as a professional jump jockey when landing the Broxhills Steeplechase at Leicester on December 5, 1921. 

Although Ossie had ridden in National Hunt Flat races, taking part against vastly experienced professional jockeys on the Flat was a different proposition. His first ride in that sphere was at Catterick Bridge on April 8, 1920, when Ionian finished unplaced in the Zetland Plate. However, he was soon off the mark, riding Bejo, trained by brother Vernon, to a one-length victory in the Ainstey Selling Plate at York on May 17.

Two victories at Carlisle’s two-day summer meeting followed: The Lark in the Trial Selling Stakes on June 29, followed by Lochar in the Devonshire Plate on June 30. His final victory on the Flat came when The Lark took the Thornaby Two-Year-Old Selling Plate at Stockton on August 19.

Then, at Doncaster on September 8, Ossie rode Oliviero in the St Leger. Oliviero was a 100-1 chance, having failed to win in his previous six starts as a three-year-old, and he ran accordingly finishing 11th of the 14 runners. 

Ossie’s last ride on the Flat came at Catterick Bridge on September 25, 1920, when Snow Crest finished unplaced in the Swaledale Handicap. Although he continued to ride over jumps, he did not renew his Flat licence for 1921. 

Altogether he rode 78 winners, 74 of them over jumps and four on the Flat. 

After quitting the saddle, Ossie Casebourne trained successfully at Middleham until his early death in 1929.