Jock Gaskell
1886-1969
1886-1969
Born on January 29, 1886, amateur rider John Upton Gaskell, always familiarly known as ‘Jock’, rode 29 winners under National Hunt rules between 1905 and 1910.
Born on January 29, 1886, amateur rider John Upton Gaskell, always familiarly known as ‘Jock’, rode 29 winners under National Hunt rules between 1905 and 1910.
He had an inauspicious introduction to riding under NH rules when unseated from his mount Borderer II in the Ditch Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newmarket on January 26, 1905. Jock and Borderer II enjoyed far better fortune at Woodbridge Hunt three months later, on April 12, winning the Orwell Park Hurdle by a length and a half, giving the rider his first victory.
He had an inauspicious introduction to riding under NH rules when unseated from his mount Borderer II in the Ditch Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newmarket on January 26, 1905. Jock and Borderer II enjoyed far better fortune at Woodbridge Hunt three months later, on April 12, winning the Orwell Park Hurdle by a length and a half, giving the rider his first victory.
Jock’s most successful year was in 1908 with a tally of 14 winners, including a treble at Portsmouth Park on April 20 aboard Bradshaw in the Portsmouth Chase, Little Theo in the Easter Handicap Hurdle, and Charming Polly in the Seaside Chase. He finished fourth in that year’s amateur riders’ table. He recorded a score of seven victories in 1909.
Jock’s most successful year was in 1908 with a tally of 14 winners, including a treble at Portsmouth Park on April 20 aboard Bradshaw in the Portsmouth Chase, Little Theo in the Easter Handicap Hurdle, and Charming Polly in the Seaside Chase. He finished fourth in that year’s amateur riders’ table. He recorded a score of seven victories in 1909.
He rode his last winner on Oh Fie, a one-length winner of the St Margaret’s Selling Hurdle at Kempton Park on December 2, 1910.
He rode his last winner on Oh Fie, a one-length winner of the St Margaret’s Selling Hurdle at Kempton Park on December 2, 1910.
He continued to take the occasional mount thereafter, ending his time in the saddle with two unplaced rides at Sandown Park on February 21, 1918, firstly on Queen’s Lancer in the Woking Selling Handicap Hurdle, then on Duncan in the Metropolitan Maiden Hurdle.
He continued to take the occasional mount thereafter, ending his time in the saddle with two unplaced rides at Sandown Park on February 21, 1918, firstly on Queen’s Lancer in the Woking Selling Handicap Hurdle, then on Duncan in the Metropolitan Maiden Hurdle.
John Upton (Jock) Gaskell died on April 16, 1969, aged 83
John Upton (Jock) Gaskell died on April 16, 1969, aged 83
