Peter Chapman

Peter Chapman

Article by Alan Trout

After riding four winners as an apprentice on the Flat between 1931 and 1934, Peter Chapman equalled that score over jumps in the 1940s. 

Apprenticed to the successful jockey/trainer Percy Allden, Peter had his first ride on Alchemist, who finished unplaced in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Lewes on June 10, 1929, his mount having dwelt and lost ground at the start. He had to wait more than two years for his first success which came at Pontefract on July 9, 1931, when On Approval, trained by David Dick, won the Duchy (Apprentice) Plate by half a length. 

At some stage he had switched stables, and it was for his new master, former jump jockey Jack Reardon, that he rode his second winner when Tremolite won the Apprentices’ Plate at Lewes on September 1, 1931. It was not until April 25, 1933 that he had his third success, Last Of The Dandies, in the Apprentice Plate at Newmarket. He then moved to another former jump jockey, Bill Payne Senior, for the 1934 season, winning his final race on the Flat when Last Of The Dandies obliged again in the Ironopolis Apprentice Plate at Stockton on April 27. He relinquished his licence later that season when his apprenticeship ended. 

His first win over jumps came at the final meeting of 1940, when Elinca won the Beeston Maiden Hurdle at Nottingham on December 30, beating 26 rivals, only narrowly failing to follow up at Worcester a fortnight later. His second winner of the season came at Plumpton on the first day of March, when Alarmist won the Falmer Selling Handicap Chase. 

World War Two impacted his career, with no jump racing taking place in Britain from March 1942 until January 1945. Peter returned to action following the war and rode his next winner on Noble Tare in the Sandgate Handicap Hurdle at Folkestone on October 1, 1947. Finally, The Tynings was a five-length winner of the Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) at Hereford on April 17, 1948. Held a licence until the 1949/50 season. 

Peter Chapman’s wins were, in chronological order:

1. On Approval, Pontefract, July 9, 1931

2. Tremolite, Lewes, September 1, 1931

3. Last Of The Dandies, Newmarket, April 25, 1933

4. Last Of The Dandies, Stockton, April 27, 1934

5. Elinca, Nottingham, December 30, 1940 

6. Alarmist, Plumpton, March 1, 1941

7. Noble Tare, Folkestone, October 1, 1947

8. The Tynings, Hereford, April 17, 1948