John Gomez
1917 - 1992
1917 - 1992
Irishman John (Johnny) Gomez was born on July 9, 1917. He had his first ride in public in the Apprentice Plate at Newmarket on May 1, 1934, when his mount Moon Fly, owned by wealthy American Jock Whitney and trained by Captain Cecil Boyd-Rochfort, finished fourth of five runners.
Irishman John (Johnny) Gomez was born on July 9, 1917. He had his first ride in public in the Apprentice Plate at Newmarket on May 1, 1934, when his mount Moon Fly, owned by wealthy American Jock Whitney and trained by Captain Cecil Boyd-Rochfort, finished fourth of five runners.
He rode his first winner on Dytchley in the Apprentices’ Plate at Windsor on November 6, 1936.
He rode his first winner on Dytchley in the Apprentices’ Plate at Windsor on November 6, 1936.
Having completed his apprenticeship, he held a professional jockey’s licence in 1938 and 1939 and resumed his career here after the end of the war.
Having completed his apprenticeship, he held a professional jockey’s licence in 1938 and 1939 and resumed his career here after the end of the war.
He rode four winners in 1949, all of them for Newmarket trainer Teddy Lambton. They were:
He rode four winners in 1949, all of them for Newmarket trainer Teddy Lambton. They were:
Parvez in the Girsby Plate at Lincoln on July 28
Parvez in the Girsby Plate at Lincoln on July 28
Roman Magic in the Huntcliffe Handicap at Redcar on July 28
Roman Magic in the Huntcliffe Handicap at Redcar on July 28
Roman Magic in the Britannia Handicap at Yarmouth on August 3
Roman Magic in the Britannia Handicap at Yarmouth on August 3
Prince Peridarchus in the Monument Selling Plate at Yarmouth on September 13
Prince Peridarchus in the Monument Selling Plate at Yarmouth on September 13
Johnny then became a work rider for Newmarket trainer Dick Warden but had the occasional race ride for him, including a couple of winners, namely Casir at Yarmouth on July 5, 1950, and On Ice at Chepstow on Whit Monday, May 25, 1953. That was his last winning ride, although he continued to hold a jockey’s licence until 1965.
Johnny then became a work rider for Newmarket trainer Dick Warden but had the occasional race ride for him, including a couple of winners, namely Casir at Yarmouth on July 5, 1950, and On Ice at Chepstow on Whit Monday, May 25, 1953. That was his last winning ride, although he continued to hold a jockey’s licence until 1965.
Later that year, 1953, he moved to Beckhampton and became Jeremy Tree’s head lad, where he built a reputation for his reliability and for his skill as a work rider. He struck up a good working relationship with dual Oaks winner Juliette Marny, who was a notoriously difficult ride.
Later that year, 1953, he moved to Beckhampton and became Jeremy Tree’s head lad, where he built a reputation for his reliability and for his skill as a work rider. He struck up a good working relationship with dual Oaks winner Juliette Marny, who was a notoriously difficult ride.
Johnny stayed with Jeremy Tree until ill health forced him to retire in 1986. He died in October 1992, aged 75.
Johnny stayed with Jeremy Tree until ill health forced him to retire in 1986. He died in October 1992, aged 75.