John Goulding
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
John Goulding achieved his biggest success when making all to win the Scottish Grand National on Astral Charmer in 1981. He also won that year’s Midlands National at Uttoxeter.
John Goulding achieved his biggest success when making all to win the Scottish Grand National on Astral Charmer in 1981. He also won that year’s Midlands National at Uttoxeter.
John Lennox Goulding was born on August 8, 1957, the younger brother of top northern National Hunt jockey David Goulding. He served his time with Cockermouth, Cumberland permit holder David Macdonald and rode his first winner on Lochar Moss in a three-mile handicap hurdle at Ayr on October 13, 1975. His second was on Caldbeck, also for Macdonald, at Wetherby on December 27; his third on novice hurdler Holly Twist for fellow Cumbrian permit holder John Dixon on January 2, 1976. He rode two more winners that term, including another on Caldbeck, making five in all.
John Lennox Goulding was born on August 8, 1957, the younger brother of top northern National Hunt jockey David Goulding. He served his time with Cockermouth, Cumberland permit holder David Macdonald and rode his first winner on Lochar Moss in a three-mile handicap hurdle at Ayr on October 13, 1975. His second was on Caldbeck, also for Macdonald, at Wetherby on December 27; his third on novice hurdler Holly Twist for fellow Cumbrian permit holder John Dixon on January 2, 1976. He rode two more winners that term, including another on Caldbeck, making five in all.
Caldbeck also provided him with both of his wins the following season, scoring at Catterick on November 27, 1976, and at Kelso on March 23, 1977. Another good friend during those early years was David Macdonald’s hurdler Allerdale, on whom John won at Kelso in March 1978, at Hexham in October 1978 and again in May 1979, at Catterick in February 1980, and at Ayr in October 1980.
Caldbeck also provided him with both of his wins the following season, scoring at Catterick on November 27, 1976, and at Kelso on March 23, 1977. Another good friend during those early years was David Macdonald’s hurdler Allerdale, on whom John won at Kelso in March 1978, at Hexham in October 1978 and again in May 1979, at Catterick in February 1980, and at Ayr in October 1980.
John’s most successful season was 1980/81, during which he notched 13 winners. It began well with an early season victory on Harry Bell’s juvenile hurdler Never Stop at Market Rasen in August, following up at Carlisle in September, but it was really in the second half of the campaign that things began to take off.
John’s most successful season was 1980/81, during which he notched 13 winners. It began well with an early season victory on Harry Bell’s juvenile hurdler Never Stop at Market Rasen in August, following up at Carlisle in September, but it was really in the second half of the campaign that things began to take off.
Following a couple of winners in February and March, he rode Burgundy Beau to win the Clyde Bridge Challenge Cup Handicap Chase, named in honour of a former course specialist, at Kelso on April 6, 1981. Just five days later he achieved the biggest success of his career on Harry Bell’s 66/1 outsider Astral Charmer in the William Hill-sponsored Scottish National.
Following a couple of winners in February and March, he rode Burgundy Beau to win the Clyde Bridge Challenge Cup Handicap Chase, named in honour of a former course specialist, at Kelso on April 6, 1981. Just five days later he achieved the biggest success of his career on Harry Bell’s 66/1 outsider Astral Charmer in the William Hill-sponsored Scottish National.
It was an extraordinary race. By the eighth fence Astral Charmer had established a huge lead, fully a fence clear of his rivals. Rounding the stable bend with a circuit to go, Astral Charmer tried his best to run out and John needed all his strength to get him back on course. With over a mile still left to run, the horse looked to have shot his bolt and seemed sure to weaken rapidly but, although he was obviously tiring, he stayed on dourly over the last few fences to hold on by a rapidly diminishing three lengths from Neale Doughty’s mount Current Gold.
It was an extraordinary race. By the eighth fence Astral Charmer had established a huge lead, fully a fence clear of his rivals. Rounding the stable bend with a circuit to go, Astral Charmer tried his best to run out and John needed all his strength to get him back on course. With over a mile still left to run, the horse looked to have shot his bolt and seemed sure to weaken rapidly but, although he was obviously tiring, he stayed on dourly over the last few fences to hold on by a rapidly diminishing three lengths from Neale Doughty’s mount Current Gold.
John’s next win came at Carlisle on Easter Monday, landing the Durdar Handicap Hurdle on David Macdonald’s Minimist. The following day he won a chase at Wetherby on Deidi for Grimsby trainer John Blundell. Seven days after that he won on Burgundy Beau on the first day of Perth’s April fixture, then scored on Dr Guillotine on the second day. Finally, on May 9, 1981, John scored the second major victory of his career when winning the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter on Caroline Mason’s Master Brutus.
John’s next win came at Carlisle on Easter Monday, landing the Durdar Handicap Hurdle on David Macdonald’s Minimist. The following day he won a chase at Wetherby on Deidi for Grimsby trainer John Blundell. Seven days after that he won on Burgundy Beau on the first day of Perth’s April fixture, then scored on Dr Guillotine on the second day. Finally, on May 9, 1981, John scored the second major victory of his career when winning the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter on Caroline Mason’s Master Brutus.
The next season was never going to be as good as the one before but he did okay, including winning the Royal Caledonian Hunt Cup Handicap Chase at Kelso on October 3, 1981 on Harry Bell’s Highway Dual, the first leg of a double completed by Bell’s novice hurdler Brockie Law in the last race.
The next season was never going to be as good as the one before but he did okay, including winning the Royal Caledonian Hunt Cup Handicap Chase at Kelso on October 3, 1981 on Harry Bell’s Highway Dual, the first leg of a double completed by Bell’s novice hurdler Brockie Law in the last race.
He continued riding for several more seasons but never again matched the heights of that spring of 1981 when he won two Nationals within the space of a month.
He continued riding for several more seasons but never again matched the heights of that spring of 1981 when he won two Nationals within the space of a month.