Thomas Chisman

Thomas Chisman

Article by Alan Trout

Although Thomas William Chisman did not ride that many winners – 20 in all between 1921 and 1938 – he did have some success and took part in two Grand Nationals. 

He started out as an amateur and had his first victory at Sedgefield on March 23, 1921 when his mount, Cautious Jane, finished alone the Foxhunters’ Sweepstakes Chase. Of the three runners, one refused and the other two fell, but Cautious Jane was remounted to claim the prize. 

More than four years elapsed before he had his first win as a professional. That came at Gatwick on December 17, 1925 when Deerslayer, trained by Jack Pendarves, won the Horsham Selling Handicap Hurdle by six lengths. They followed up at Bournemouth five days later. 

Thereafter, Thomas rode the occasional winner, usually over fences. His first ride in the Grand National was in 1929 on the ill-fated Stort, who was making his first start in Britain. This was the famous year of the 66 runners, of which just 10 finished. Sadly, Stort broke a leg and had to be put down. 

Thomas rode just one winner that year but achieved a best score of five in 1930. He drew a blank in 1931 but did have a ride in that year’s Grand National. His mount was the ex-Irish horse Kilbuck who had not won since Boxing Day 1929. They were among the many fallers, parting company on the second circuit. 

Thomas relinquished his licence during the 1933/34 season but returned to the saddle four years later. He must have thought that he had ridden his first winner for a long time when passing the post first on Oi in the Henley Selling Handicap Hurdle at Shirley Park on May 30, 1938. However, champion jockey Gerry Wilson on the runner-up, Carmon, objected on the grounds of “bumping and boring” and Oi was disqualified.

Just seven days later, in the Open Selling Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon, Oi made amends with a four-length victory, giving Thomas not just his last win as a jockey but also one of his first as a trainer.

He continued to hold a jockey’s licence for a couple more seasons and trained until the mid-1940s, based at Mickleham, Surrey.  

Thomas Chisman’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Cautious Jane, Sedgefield, March 23, 1921

2. Deerslayer, Gatwick, December 17, 1925 

3. Deerslayer, Bournemouth, December 22, 1925

4. Khoosh. Gatwick, February 3, 1926

5. Roi Rouge, Wye, March 15, 1926

6. Brownstown, Banbury Hunt, March 19, 1926

7. Crystal Cup, Chelmsford, October 19, 1927

8. Soulector, Hawthorn Hill, November 11, 1927

9. Silver Spring, Wye, May 7, 1928

10. Word Of Honour, Fontwell Park, May 10, 1928

11. Fair Avis, Wye, October 15, 1928

12. Word Of Honour, Gatwick, January 10, 1929

13. Lindholm, Plumpton, February 1, 1930

14. Lemurian, Lingfield Park, March 8, 1930

15. Soucar, Wye, March 17, 1930

16. Airbloom, Wetherby, April 21, 1930

17. Fancy Laureate, Hexham, June 9, 1930

18. Quack Quack, Chelmsford, April 11, 1932

19. Quack Quack, Colwall Park, May 23, 1932

20. Oi, Huntingdon, June 6, 1938