John Grantham
John Grantham
John Grantham
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
John Raymond Grantham rode three winners during the shortened 1940/41 National season, all of them trained by Vic Smyth.
John Raymond Grantham rode three winners during the shortened 1940/41 National season, all of them trained by Vic Smyth.
The first of these was on Fir Cone, who won the Dale Juvenile Hurdle at Southwell on December 7, 1940. In a field of 20, the three-year-old beat Queensland, ridden by future Derby-winning jockey Chuck Spares, by three-quarters of a length. John had partnered Fir Cone on his only previous outing, an unplaced effort at Nottingham in November.
The first of these was on Fir Cone, who won the Dale Juvenile Hurdle at Southwell on December 7, 1940. In a field of 20, the three-year-old beat Queensland, ridden by future Derby-winning jockey Chuck Spares, by three-quarters of a length. John had partnered Fir Cone on his only previous outing, an unplaced effort at Nottingham in November.
He rode his second winner just four days later when Seneca, making his racecourse debut, beat 27 rivals to win the Evesham Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham by six lengths.
He rode his second winner just four days later when Seneca, making his racecourse debut, beat 27 rivals to win the Evesham Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham by six lengths.
His third, and final, victory came at Plumpton on February 22, 1941, when Mauna Kea won the Chailey Novices’ Hurdle. Ron Smyth had ridden the five-year-old on his previous outing, an eight-length win over the same course and distance seven days earlier, but this time he opted to ride stablemate Aldwych, who finished among the also-rans. John kept the ride on Mauna Kea but the gelding fell on his next outing at Plumpton on March 1 and did not race again.
His third, and final, victory came at Plumpton on February 22, 1941, when Mauna Kea won the Chailey Novices’ Hurdle. Ron Smyth had ridden the five-year-old on his previous outing, an eight-length win over the same course and distance seven days earlier, but this time he opted to ride stablemate Aldwych, who finished among the also-rans. John kept the ride on Mauna Kea but the gelding fell on his next outing at Plumpton on March 1 and did not race again.
His second winner Seneca, however, went on to much bigger and better things, winning the 1941 Champion Hurdle next time out, ridden by Ron Smyth.
His second winner Seneca, however, went on to much bigger and better things, winning the 1941 Champion Hurdle next time out, ridden by Ron Smyth.
John Grantham kept his licence until National Hunt racing was suspended in March 1942 but rode no more winners.
John Grantham kept his licence until National Hunt racing was suspended in March 1942 but rode no more winners.
John Grantham's first winner
John Grantham's first winner
Seneca, John's second winner
Seneca, John's second winner
Mauna Kea, John's third and final winner
Mauna Kea, John's third and final winner