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Born in 1900, amateur rider John Hector Maxwell Gordon, always known by his middle name, rode 45 winners over jumps during the 1930s.
Born in 1900, amateur rider John Hector Maxwell Gordon, always known by his middle name, rode 45 winners over jumps during the 1930s.
He rode for the first time under National Hunt rules at Colwall Park on October 21, 1922 in the Malvern Amateur Riders’ Hunters’ Handicap Chase. It was not an auspicious start, for his mount, St Frederick, refused.
He rode for the first time under National Hunt rules at Colwall Park on October 21, 1922 in the Malvern Amateur Riders’ Hunters’ Handicap Chase. It was not an auspicious start, for his mount, St Frederick, refused.
He endured a long wait for that elusive first winner, which finally came at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, April 6, 1931 in the form of a dead-heat. Riding Miss Twinthorne in the Risby Handicap Hurdle, Hector was forced to share the spoils with Bill Ransom on Battleshaft when the judge was unable to split them at the winning post.
He endured a long wait for that elusive first winner, which finally came at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, April 6, 1931 in the form of a dead-heat. Riding Miss Twinthorne in the Risby Handicap Hurdle, Hector was forced to share the spoils with Bill Ransom on Battleshaft when the judge was unable to split them at the winning post.
Hector rode as ‘Mr J. H. Gordon’ and finished third in the 1937 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham on K.D.H.
Hector rode as ‘Mr J. H. Gordon’ and finished third in the 1937 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham on K.D.H.
He enjoyed his most successful season in 1937/38 with 16 wins, placing him third in the amateur riders’ table. The included his most important success on 4/1 shot Tithe Alarm in the 1938 United Hunts’ Challenge Cup Chase, and he came close to achieving another at that same National Hunt Meeting when finishing second, beaten a length and a half, on Ballyhoulihan in the Cheltenham Foxhunters. He also won three handicap chases that season on Sea Trout, a Plumpton in December, Hurst Park in January and Warwick in February.
He enjoyed his most successful season in 1937/38 with 16 wins, placing him third in the amateur riders’ table. The included his most important success on 4/1 shot Tithe Alarm in the 1938 United Hunts’ Challenge Cup Chase, and he came close to achieving another at that same National Hunt Meeting when finishing second, beaten a length and a half, on Ballyhoulihan in the Cheltenham Foxhunters. He also won three handicap chases that season on Sea Trout, a Plumpton in December, Hurst Park in January and Warwick in February.
He rode his last winner on 7-2 chance No Ball in the Kirby Fleetham Handicap Hurdle at Catterick on March 3, 1939. On December 7 that year – by which time he was riding under the name of Captain J. H. Gordon – he competed for the final time, riding his own horse Magic to finish unplaced in the Round Oak Handicap Hurdle at Newbury.
He rode his last winner on 7-2 chance No Ball in the Kirby Fleetham Handicap Hurdle at Catterick on March 3, 1939. On December 7 that year – by which time he was riding under the name of Captain J. H. Gordon – he competed for the final time, riding his own horse Magic to finish unplaced in the Round Oak Handicap Hurdle at Newbury.
Hector, extreme right, on Knight of Knockeevan, They ran on to finish third. (1939)
Hector leads the field on Tithe Alarm at Cheltenham 1938
Hector leads the field on Tithe Alarm at Cheltenham 1938
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