John Gray (NH)
John Gray
John Gray
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
John Gray rode five winners under National Hunt rules between 1922 and 1930, having had his first ride in public when finishing seventh of eight runners on Bay Malley in the Ashdown Juvenile Hurdle at Lingfield Park on December 17, 1921.
John Gray rode five winners under National Hunt rules between 1922 and 1930, having had his first ride in public when finishing seventh of eight runners on Bay Malley in the Ashdown Juvenile Hurdle at Lingfield Park on December 17, 1921.
He got off the mark when recording a double at Folkestone on March 27, 1922, starting with a three-length victory on Son o’ Melton in the Canterbury Selling Handicap Hurdle. Trained by George Butchers, the gelding had won two races the previous year but had shown little recent form, partnered either by John or Leslie Butchers, son of the trainer.
He got off the mark when recording a double at Folkestone on March 27, 1922, starting with a three-length victory on Son o’ Melton in the Canterbury Selling Handicap Hurdle. Trained by George Butchers, the gelding had won two races the previous year but had shown little recent form, partnered either by John or Leslie Butchers, son of the trainer.
The double was completed in the last race of the afternoon, the Four-Year-Old Handicap Hurdle, which he won by two lengths on Bay Malley, having then to survive an objection by Tom Costello, rider of the runner-up Sunsella on grounds of ‘crossing’. Again, the filly was trained by George Butchers and had been ridden by Leslie Butchers in her recent starts.
The double was completed in the last race of the afternoon, the Four-Year-Old Handicap Hurdle, which he won by two lengths on Bay Malley, having then to survive an objection by Tom Costello, rider of the runner-up Sunsella on grounds of ‘crossing’. Again, the filly was trained by George Butchers and had been ridden by Leslie Butchers in her recent starts.
John’s third winner was yet another George Butchers filly, the three-year-old Branella, who won the Juvenile Selling Hurdle at Wye on November 8 by six lengths, having been sent off the 5-4 favourite on her debut under National Hunt rules.
John’s third winner was yet another George Butchers filly, the three-year-old Branella, who won the Juvenile Selling Hurdle at Wye on November 8 by six lengths, having been sent off the 5-4 favourite on her debut under National Hunt rules.
There was just a solitary success in 1923 when Will Swing was a comfortable winner of the May Handicap Hurdle at Wye. Once again trained by George Butchers, son Leslie was usually in the saddle but John proved an able substitute, beating Tropical Charlie, the mount of Tony Escott, by eight lengths. He had no more chances on the five-year-old and for a while he relinquished his licence.
There was just a solitary success in 1923 when Will Swing was a comfortable winner of the May Handicap Hurdle at Wye. Once again trained by George Butchers, son Leslie was usually in the saddle but John proved an able substitute, beating Tropical Charlie, the mount of Tony Escott, by eight lengths. He had no more chances on the five-year-old and for a while he relinquished his licence.
He had a few rides on the Flat in 1928, all unsuccessful, but managed a final winner over jumps when Vic’s Choice, trained by ‘Towser’ Gosden (father of today’s Newmarket-based champion trainer John Gosden) and owned by his wife, won the Surrey Selling Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield Park on December 13, 1930 by a length from Roquefort, ridden by future champion jockey Gerry Wilson. Towser Gosden had begun training in 1928 and Vic’s Choice, formerly owned by the amateur rider Kenyon Goode, was having only his second start for his new connections.
He had a few rides on the Flat in 1928, all unsuccessful, but managed a final winner over jumps when Vic’s Choice, trained by ‘Towser’ Gosden (father of today’s Newmarket-based champion trainer John Gosden) and owned by his wife, won the Surrey Selling Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield Park on December 13, 1930 by a length from Roquefort, ridden by future champion jockey Gerry Wilson. Towser Gosden had begun training in 1928 and Vic’s Choice, formerly owned by the amateur rider Kenyon Goode, was having only his second start for his new connections.
Vic’s Choice was also John Gray’s last ride, at Fontwell Park on April 29, 1931, when finishing unplaced in the Boxgrove Selling Handicap Hurdle.
Vic’s Choice was also John Gray’s last ride, at Fontwell Park on April 29, 1931, when finishing unplaced in the Boxgrove Selling Handicap Hurdle.
John Gray’s winners were, in chronological order:
John Gray’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Son o’ Melton, Folkestone, March 27, 1922
1. Son o’ Melton, Folkestone, March 27, 1922
2. Bay Malley, Folkestone, March 27, 1922
2. Bay Malley, Folkestone, March 27, 1922
3. Branella, Wye, 8 November 1922
3. Branella, Wye, 8 November 1922
4. Will Swing, Wye, May 14, 1923
4. Will Swing, Wye, May 14, 1923
5. Vic’s Choice, Lingfield Park, December 30, 1930
5. Vic’s Choice, Lingfield Park, December 30, 1930
Son O'Melton: first leg of John Gray's Folkestone double, March 27 1922
Son O'Melton: first leg of John Gray's Folkestone double, March 27 1922
Bay Malley: second leg of John Gray's Folkestone double.
Bay Malley: second leg of John Gray's Folkestone double.