James Guest
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Being the son of ‘Iron Man’ jump jockey Joe Guest and with two jockey uncles in Charlie Guest and Nelson Guest, there was really only one career James Guest could have had. Although tall for a jockey he was lucky to be within the required weight range, at least for a while.
Being the son of ‘Iron Man’ jump jockey Joe Guest and with two jockey uncles in Charlie Guest and Nelson Guest, there was really only one career James Guest could have had. Although tall for a jockey he was lucky to be within the required weight range, at least for a while.
James was born on July 18, 1956, he was apprenticed to the great Fred Winter, against whom his father had ridden for many years, and had his first ride, aged 17, on Nantar in the Rustington Handicap Hurdle at Fontwell on May 6, 1974, finishing fourth.
James was born on July 18, 1956, he was apprenticed to the great Fred Winter, against whom his father had ridden for many years, and had his first ride, aged 17, on Nantar in the Rustington Handicap Hurdle at Fontwell on May 6, 1974, finishing fourth.
Things did not happen overnight as it was not until April 12, 1975 that James rode his first winner, Veyatie, for Fred Winter in a novice riders’ race at Ascot. But from thereon he quickly made up for lost time. His second winner came just two days later, on Herbert Payne’s Young Steve at Plumpton, followed by five in as many weeks, namely: Herbert Payne’s Angel Aboard at Worcester on April 23, Fred Winter’s Bladon at Market Rasen on April 26, Angel Aboard again at Warwick on May 3, Young Steve again at Newton Abbot on May 7, and Gerald Cottrell’s Honey Lover at Newton Abbot on May 22. He ended the season with seven winners.
Things did not happen overnight as it was not until April 12, 1975 that James rode his first winner, Veyatie, for Fred Winter in a novice riders’ race at Ascot. But from thereon he quickly made up for lost time. His second winner came just two days later, on Herbert Payne’s Young Steve at Plumpton, followed by five in as many weeks, namely: Herbert Payne’s Angel Aboard at Worcester on April 23, Fred Winter’s Bladon at Market Rasen on April 26, Angel Aboard again at Warwick on May 3, Young Steve again at Newton Abbot on May 7, and Gerald Cottrell’s Honey Lover at Newton Abbot on May 22. He ended the season with seven winners.
James lost no time in getting off the mark for 1975/76, scoring on Angel Aboard on the second day of Newton Abbot’s season-opening fixture, with father Joe winning on Tussore the same day to make front page news in the next day’s Sporting Life. They made the front page of the ‘Life’ again early the following month but for very contrasting reasons.
James lost no time in getting off the mark for 1975/76, scoring on Angel Aboard on the second day of Newton Abbot’s season-opening fixture, with father Joe winning on Tussore the same day to make front page news in the next day’s Sporting Life. They made the front page of the ‘Life’ again early the following month but for very contrasting reasons.
Joe and James were both in action at Newton Abbot on Tuesday, September 2, 1975. Joe rode the favourite, Tussore, in the first race and was upsides the front-running Medway Melody when taking a crashing fall at the last flight. Living up to his ‘Iron Man’ reputation, Joe was back on his feet after a few minutes, declaring himself fit to continue. Two hours later, James teamed up with Gerald Cottrell’s Nerwyn and somehow got him home in front in the Two Bridges Novices’ Hurdle after a hair-raising ride.
Joe and James were both in action at Newton Abbot on Tuesday, September 2, 1975. Joe rode the favourite, Tussore, in the first race and was upsides the front-running Medway Melody when taking a crashing fall at the last flight. Living up to his ‘Iron Man’ reputation, Joe was back on his feet after a few minutes, declaring himself fit to continue. Two hours later, James teamed up with Gerald Cottrell’s Nerwyn and somehow got him home in front in the Two Bridges Novices’ Hurdle after a hair-raising ride.
At the halfway mark, Nerwyn’s saddle started to slip, but James was able to keep his mount balanced and take the lead two flights from home. Then at the final obstacle, Nerwyn ran into the right-hand corner of the flight, flattened the hurdle and screwed to the left. The saddle went over the horse’s hind quarters and James was lucky not to be shot off on the near side. Desperately clutching the reins, he steadied Nerwyn and, riding virtually bareback for the last 200 yards, went on to win. His father rode in the same race and finished fifth on Hullo Again.
At the halfway mark, Nerwyn’s saddle started to slip, but James was able to keep his mount balanced and take the lead two flights from home. Then at the final obstacle, Nerwyn ran into the right-hand corner of the flight, flattened the hurdle and screwed to the left. The saddle went over the horse’s hind quarters and James was lucky not to be shot off on the near side. Desperately clutching the reins, he steadied Nerwyn and, riding virtually bareback for the last 200 yards, went on to win. His father rode in the same race and finished fifth on Hullo Again.
Harold Payne continued to support James and provided him with a winner, Aperduet, at Hereford on October 7, while Fred Winter put him up on Simon’s Pet, who won at Plumpton and Stratford later that month, then on Che King, successful at Worcester in November, and back on Simon’s Pet when he scored at Leicester in December.
Harold Payne continued to support James and provided him with a winner, Aperduet, at Hereford on October 7, while Fred Winter put him up on Simon’s Pet, who won at Plumpton and Stratford later that month, then on Che King, successful at Worcester in November, and back on Simon’s Pet when he scored at Leicester in December.
Soon, however, James was winning races at the bigger venues. His old friend Simon’s Pet got 1976 off to a good start by giving him a New Year’s Day winner at Cheltenham, and also won Ascot’s Teal and Green Hurdle on January 17. James then rode Fred Winter’s four-year-old Linsky to win the March Hare Handicap Hurdle at Newbury.
Soon, however, James was winning races at the bigger venues. His old friend Simon’s Pet got 1976 off to a good start by giving him a New Year’s Day winner at Cheltenham, and also won Ascot’s Teal and Green Hurdle on January 17. James then rode Fred Winter’s four-year-old Linsky to win the March Hare Handicap Hurdle at Newbury.
James finished that 1975/76 campaign with 19 winners, in what was to be his best season numerically. Not that 1976/77 was a disaster, for it yielded 11 victories, one of which was a novice hurdler named Rough And Tumble at Wincanton on Boxing Day, a horse that would become an Aintree favourite, finishing third and second in successive Grand Nationals.
James finished that 1975/76 campaign with 19 winners, in what was to be his best season numerically. Not that 1976/77 was a disaster, for it yielded 11 victories, one of which was a novice hurdler named Rough And Tumble at Wincanton on Boxing Day, a horse that would become an Aintree favourite, finishing third and second in successive Grand Nationals.
But as Rough And Tumble’s profile rose, so James’s declined. The weight began to rise to match his tall, lanky frame and he had difficulty in riding under 10st 9lb, thus limiting his opportunities. His scores fell to six in 1977/78 and four in 1978/79. The 1980/81 campaign brought just two winners and signalled the end of what had once been a promising career.
But as Rough And Tumble’s profile rose, so James’s declined. The weight began to rise to match his tall, lanky frame and he had difficulty in riding under 10st 9lb, thus limiting his opportunities. His scores fell to six in 1977/78 and four in 1978/79. The 1980/81 campaign brought just two winners and signalled the end of what had once been a promising career.