James Gemmell
James Gemmell
James Gemmell
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
James Gemmell took out a licence to train in the 1920s and three of the four races he won as a jockey were on horses that he also trained, with all four owned by the successful amateur rider John Johnstone.
James Gemmell took out a licence to train in the 1920s and three of the four races he won as a jockey were on horses that he also trained, with all four owned by the successful amateur rider John Johnstone.
James had an eventful start to his career under National Hunt rules at Cartmel on September 25, 1926, one of the rare occasions that the Cumbria track staged racing on a day other than a Whit Monday. Having finished unplaced on Bank Holiday II on his first ride, he was then beaten 10 lengths in a match, and finished second and fourth on his remaining rides.
James had an eventful start to his career under National Hunt rules at Cartmel on September 25, 1926, one of the rare occasions that the Cumbria track staged racing on a day other than a Whit Monday. Having finished unplaced on Bank Holiday II on his first ride, he was then beaten 10 lengths in a match, and finished second and fourth on his remaining rides.
His first win came at Hexham on October 6, 1926, when Bank Holiday II won a match for the Riding Handicap Chase, beating Time Enough, ridden by his owner Mr Frank Usher.
His first win came at Hexham on October 6, 1926, when Bank Holiday II won a match for the Riding Handicap Chase, beating Time Enough, ridden by his owner Mr Frank Usher.
At Catterick Bridge on November 19, More Than Pretty won the Skeeby Hurdle and Fog Hoen won the Dale Chase, both scoring by three-quarters of a length, to give James a double on the day. Although he rode both winners regularly thereafter, neither was unable to repeat their success.
At Catterick Bridge on November 19, More Than Pretty won the Skeeby Hurdle and Fog Hoen won the Dale Chase, both scoring by three-quarters of a length, to give James a double on the day. Although he rode both winners regularly thereafter, neither was unable to repeat their success.
It was left to the four-year-old Fireflame to provide him with a final winner when taking the Warwick Hurdle at Carlisle on April 16, 1927. Fireflame finished second to Belah, ridden by Jonathan Handley, but the stewards subsequently received a letter from the owner of the winner stating that the partnership in Belah had not been properly registered. Belah was duly disqualified and Fireflame awarded the race.
It was left to the four-year-old Fireflame to provide him with a final winner when taking the Warwick Hurdle at Carlisle on April 16, 1927. Fireflame finished second to Belah, ridden by Jonathan Handley, but the stewards subsequently received a letter from the owner of the winner stating that the partnership in Belah had not been properly registered. Belah was duly disqualified and Fireflame awarded the race.
James had his final ride on Sailor Jack who finished unplaced in the Stewards’ Selling Handicap Hurdle at Perth on September 29, 1927. He relinquished both is trainer’s and jockey’s licences soon after. He resumed training after World War Two and trained until the mid-1950s, based at Rearsby, Leicestershire, with a string of around a dozen horses.
James had his final ride on Sailor Jack who finished unplaced in the Stewards’ Selling Handicap Hurdle at Perth on September 29, 1927. He relinquished both is trainer’s and jockey’s licences soon after. He resumed training after World War Two and trained until the mid-1950s, based at Rearsby, Leicestershire, with a string of around a dozen horses.
James Gemmel’s winners were, in chronological order:
James Gemmel’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Bank Holiday II, Hexham, October 6, 1926
1. Bank Holiday II, Hexham, October 6, 1926
2. More Than Pretty, Catterick Bridge, November 19, 1926
2. More Than Pretty, Catterick Bridge, November 19, 1926
3. Fog Horn, Catterick Bridge, November 19, 1926
3. Fog Horn, Catterick Bridge, November 19, 1926
4. Fireflame, Carlisle, April 16, 1927
4. Fireflame, Carlisle, April 16, 1927
More than Pretty, the first leg of James's Catterick double on November 19 1926
More than Pretty, the first leg of James's Catterick double on November 19 1926
Fog Horn was the second leg
Fog Horn was the second leg