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1920 - 1993
1920 - 1993
John Alnham Gilbert was, arguably, after George Duller, the second best hurdles rider of all time and, unquestionably, the best since the war.
John Alnham Gilbert was, arguably, after George Duller, the second best hurdles rider of all time and, unquestionably, the best since the war.
A northerner born on July 26, 1920, he served his apprenticeship at Epsom with Stanley Wootton. He successfully rode on the Flat and, after the war, graduated to hurdles.
A northerner born on July 26, 1920, he served his apprenticeship at Epsom with Stanley Wootton. He successfully rode on the Flat and, after the war, graduated to hurdles.
He rode for a variety of trainers such as Fulke Walwyn and Tom Jones, for whom he rode as stable jockey for 14 years.
He rode for a variety of trainers such as Fulke Walwyn and Tom Jones, for whom he rode as stable jockey for 14 years.
In September 1959, he rode ten consecutive winners, equalled in 1986, by Phil Tuck.
In September 1959, he rode ten consecutive winners, equalled in 1986, by Phil Tuck.
Concentrating only on hurdles, he scored 38 victories in the 1959-60 season.
Concentrating only on hurdles, he scored 38 victories in the 1959-60 season.
His big race wins included Amazon's Choice (Triumph Hurdle, 1959, when it was run at Hurst Park), Agramante, French Flyer and Rosati (Lancashire Hurdle), Anglesey and Secret Service (Imperial Cup), Rahsas (Liverpool Hurdle) and Avec Toi (Cheltenham Hurdle).
His big race wins included Amazon's Choice (Triumph Hurdle, 1959, when it was run at Hurst Park), Agramante, French Flyer and Rosati (Lancashire Hurdle), Anglesey and Secret Service (Imperial Cup), Rahsas (Liverpool Hurdle) and Avec Toi (Cheltenham Hurdle).
He rode a total of 411 winners.
He rode a total of 411 winners.
In 1973 Johnnie was appointed Racing Instructor to the Joint Racing Board Apprentice Training Scheme at the National Equestrian Centre, Stoneleigh. Two years later it was resited at Goodwood before being named the British Racing School and moved to its present purpose-built premises at Newmarket in 1984.
In 1973 Johnnie was appointed Racing Instructor to the Joint Racing Board Apprentice Training Scheme at the National Equestrian Centre, Stoneleigh. Two years later it was resited at Goodwood before being named the British Racing School and moved to its present purpose-built premises at Newmarket in 1984.
As senior instructor, he stood no nonsense. Michael Pope, a former committee member of the British Racing School, said: 'He was one of the old school, called a spade a spade and if he thought a youngster's attitude was not right or they were the wrong shape for racing, he would soon boot them out. But he was absolutely dedicated to getting the right people through the courses.'
As senior instructor, he stood no nonsense. Michael Pope, a former committee member of the British Racing School, said: 'He was one of the old school, called a spade a spade and if he thought a youngster's attitude was not right or they were the wrong shape for racing, he would soon boot them out. But he was absolutely dedicated to getting the right people through the courses.'
Leading National Hunt trainer David Nicholson, who also rode against him, said: 'He was a wonderful jockey. Hard but very fair. Tremendously conscientious, he would always walk the course and map out his route, even selecting the hurdles he would jump because, if possible, he always liked to make the running.'
Leading National Hunt trainer David Nicholson, who also rode against him, said: 'He was a wonderful jockey. Hard but very fair. Tremendously conscientious, he would always walk the course and map out his route, even selecting the hurdles he would jump because, if possible, he always liked to make the running.'
Johnnie, aged 72, died on Tuesday, July 20 1993 at his Newmarket home.
Johnnie, aged 72, died on Tuesday, July 20 1993 at his Newmarket home.
He was survived by his wife, Meg, his daughter, Anne, a successful horsewoman married to one of the leading Flat jockeys, Ray Cochrane, and his son, Andrew, who acted as Cochrane's agent.
He was survived by his wife, Meg, his daughter, Anne, a successful horsewoman married to one of the leading Flat jockeys, Ray Cochrane, and his son, Andrew, who acted as Cochrane's agent.
Johnnie Gilbert was awarded the MBE for services to racing.
Johnnie Gilbert was awarded the MBE for services to racing.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1947: Stayers’ Handicap Chase – Weevil
1947: Stayers’ Handicap Chase – Weevil
1948: Imperial Cup – Anglesey
1948: Imperial Cup – Anglesey
1948: Lancashire Hurdle – Agramante
1948: Lancashire Hurdle – Agramante
1949: Imperial Cup – Secret Service
1949: Imperial Cup – Secret Service
1952: Cheltenham Hurdle – Avec Toi
1952: Cheltenham Hurdle – Avec Toi
1952: Liverpool Handicap Hurdle – Rahshas
1952: Liverpool Handicap Hurdle – Rahshas
1952: Lancashire Hurdle – French Flyer
1952: Lancashire Hurdle – French Flyer
1956: Lancashire Hurdle – Rosali
1956: Lancashire Hurdle – Rosali
1959: Triumph Hurdle – Amazons Choice
1959: Triumph Hurdle – Amazons Choice
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