Tom Gowland
Tom Gowland
Tom Gowland
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Thomas (Tom) Gowland had a National Hunt jockey’s licence, with one break, for more than two decades and rode 22 winners between 1895 and 1917.
Thomas (Tom) Gowland had a National Hunt jockey’s licence, with one break, for more than two decades and rode 22 winners between 1895 and 1917.
His first success was at Wolverhampton on April 16, 1895, when riding the five-year-old Ambrosine to land the Bescott Selling Handicap Chase by 20 lengths. Ambrosine changed stables following that win and it was more than a year before Tom won again, the drought ending when Foxhunt took the Maiden Chase at Abingdon on April 16, 1896.
His first success was at Wolverhampton on April 16, 1895, when riding the five-year-old Ambrosine to land the Bescott Selling Handicap Chase by 20 lengths. Ambrosine changed stables following that win and it was more than a year before Tom won again, the drought ending when Foxhunt took the Maiden Chase at Abingdon on April 16, 1896.
The wait for his third winner was even longer, exactly four years passing before Bogie Maid took the Torquay Selling Hurdle at that course’s traditional Easter Monday fixture. Thereafter, he rode the occasional winner, as well as many mediocre horses. On March 26, 1902, he registered a treble at Maiden Erlegh but did ride another winner for 22 months.
The wait for his third winner was even longer, exactly four years passing before Bogie Maid took the Torquay Selling Hurdle at that course’s traditional Easter Monday fixture. Thereafter, he rode the occasional winner, as well as many mediocre horses. On March 26, 1902, he registered a treble at Maiden Erlegh but did ride another winner for 22 months.
Following a break in which he did not hold a licence, his career appeared to be picking up in 1911, achieving a best score of seven wins. He also joined the select bank of jockeys who rode a double on the same horse on the same day. This was at Portsmouth on April 17, 1911, when the four-year-old Lords-Wood won a maiden hurdle at the start of the afternoon and a maiden chase at the end of it.
Following a break in which he did not hold a licence, his career appeared to be picking up in 1911, achieving a best score of seven wins. He also joined the select bank of jockeys who rode a double on the same horse on the same day. This was at Portsmouth on April 17, 1911, when the four-year-old Lords-Wood won a maiden hurdle at the start of the afternoon and a maiden chase at the end of it.
However, the breakthrough did not happen, his last win coming on Captain Dreyfus in the Suffolk Maiden Chase at Windsor on January 14, 1917. He rode for the final time when Scarlet Button finished fourth of seven runners in the Cotland Double Handicap Chase at Gatwick on February 6, 1918.
However, the breakthrough did not happen, his last win coming on Captain Dreyfus in the Suffolk Maiden Chase at Windsor on January 14, 1917. He rode for the final time when Scarlet Button finished fourth of seven runners in the Cotland Double Handicap Chase at Gatwick on February 6, 1918.
Tom Gowland’s winners were, in chronological order:
Tom Gowland’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Ambrosine, Wolverhampton, April 16, 1895
1. Ambrosine, Wolverhampton, April 16, 1895
2. Foxhunt, Abingdon, April 16, 1896
2. Foxhunt, Abingdon, April 16, 1896
3. Bogie Maid, Torquay, April 16, 1900
3. Bogie Maid, Torquay, April 16, 1900
4. Serio Comic, Portsmouth Park, April 8, 1901
4. Serio Comic, Portsmouth Park, April 8, 1901
5. Pyperstone, Folkestone, February 3, 1902
5. Pyperstone, Folkestone, February 3, 1902
6. Gaylord, Portsmouth Park, March 18, 1902
6. Gaylord, Portsmouth Park, March 18, 1902
7. Gorgonzola, Maiden Erlegh, March 26, 1902
7. Gorgonzola, Maiden Erlegh, March 26, 1902
8. Gaylord, Maiden Erlegh, March 26, 1902
8. Gaylord, Maiden Erlegh, March 26, 1902
9. Prosset, Maiden Erlegh, March 26, 1902
9. Prosset, Maiden Erlegh, March 26, 1902
10. Famish, Leicester, February 10, 1904
10. Famish, Leicester, February 10, 1904
11. Bower, Folkestone, February 28, 1911
11. Bower, Folkestone, February 28, 1911
12. Herbalist, Hooton Park, April 8, 1911
12. Herbalist, Hooton Park, April 8, 1911
13. Lords-Wood, Portsmouth Park, April 17, 1911
13. Lords-Wood, Portsmouth Park, April 17, 1911
14. Lords-Wood, Portsmouth Park, April 17, 1911
14. Lords-Wood, Portsmouth Park, April 17, 1911
15. Rodwell, Crewkerne, April 20, 1911
15. Rodwell, Crewkerne, April 20, 1911
16. Santon, Wolverhampton, April 22, 1911
16. Santon, Wolverhampton, April 22, 1911
17. Bower, Hambledon Hunt, May 4, 1911
17. Bower, Hambledon Hunt, May 4, 1911
18. Diamond Stud, April 8, 1912
18. Diamond Stud, April 8, 1912
19. Oh Fie, Aldershot, April 11, 1912
19. Oh Fie, Aldershot, April 11, 1912
20. Oh Fie, Banbury Hunt, April 19, 1912
20. Oh Fie, Banbury Hunt, April 19, 1912
21. Flurry, Banbury Hunt, March 24, 1913
21. Flurry, Banbury Hunt, March 24, 1913
22. Captain Dreyfus, Windsor, January 13, 1917
22. Captain Dreyfus, Windsor, January 13, 1917
Tom Gowland's first and last race double at Portsmouth Park on Lords-Wood, 1911
Tom Gowland's first and last race double at Portsmouth Park on Lords-Wood, 1911
Tom lands a treble at Maiden Erlegh 1902
Tom lands a treble at Maiden Erlegh 1902
Tom's final winner: Captain Dreyfus, Windsor, January 13, 1917
Tom's final winner: Captain Dreyfus, Windsor, January 13, 1917