Colin Hemsley
Colin Hemsley
Colin Hemsley
Colin John Hemsley, nicknamed ‘Jake’, is best remembered for being head lad at the stable of trainer John Kempton when Foinavon recorded his never-to-be-forgotten 100-1 Grand National triumph in 1967, having been the only one to avoid the twenty-third fence pile-up.
Colin John Hemsley, nicknamed ‘Jake’, is best remembered for being head lad at the stable of trainer John Kempton when Foinavon recorded his never-to-be-forgotten 100-1 Grand National triumph in 1967, having been the only one to avoid the twenty-third fence pile-up.
Colin began his career with Sidney Bowler, who trained a small string at Pyecombe, near Brighton. He had his first ride in public when finishing unplaced on Prince Boutin in the Hinchley Wood Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on 19 November 1960. He had a handful of rides, all unplaced, but did not take out a licence for the 1961/62 season.
Colin began his career with Sidney Bowler, who trained a small string at Pyecombe, near Brighton. He had his first ride in public when finishing unplaced on Prince Boutin in the Hinchley Wood Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on 19 November 1960. He had a handful of rides, all unplaced, but did not take out a licence for the 1961/62 season.
He then worked for Captain Ryan Price at Findon, in Sussex, where Fred Winter and Josh Gifford were the stable jockeys. From there he moved to Compton and joined John Kempton in the role of head lad. He renewed his jockey’s licence at the start of the 1965/66 season and had the occasional ride for Kempton.
He then worked for Captain Ryan Price at Findon, in Sussex, where Fred Winter and Josh Gifford were the stable jockeys. From there he moved to Compton and joined John Kempton in the role of head lad. He renewed his jockey’s licence at the start of the 1965/66 season and had the occasional ride for Kempton.
Four months after Foinavon’s unlikely Aintree triumph, Colin enjoyed his own moment of glory when riding 20-1 shot Kelvinnie, trained by John Kempton and owned by Foinavon’s owner Cyril Watkins, to win the York Bar Hurdle at Market Rasen on 2 September 1967. Colin had been aboard the three-year-old when he had had his only previous outing, finishing third at the same course in August. With that experience under his belt, he beat St Asaph, ridden by none other than Foinavon’s jockey John Buckingham, by four lengths.
Four months after Foinavon’s unlikely Aintree triumph, Colin enjoyed his own moment of glory when riding 20-1 shot Kelvinnie, trained by John Kempton and owned by Foinavon’s owner Cyril Watkins, to win the York Bar Hurdle at Market Rasen on 2 September 1967. Colin had been aboard the three-year-old when he had had his only previous outing, finishing third at the same course in August. With that experience under his belt, he beat St Asaph, ridden by none other than Foinavon’s jockey John Buckingham, by four lengths.
Colin kept the ride on Kelvinnie for the remainder of the season, doing best on their final outing when second at Stratford on 7 June. Although he had six more rides on Kelvinnie during the 1968/69 campaign, they could only manage one second-place finish. He held a licence for one more season but rode no more winners.
Colin kept the ride on Kelvinnie for the remainder of the season, doing best on their final outing when second at Stratford on 7 June. Although he had six more rides on Kelvinnie during the 1968/69 campaign, they could only manage one second-place finish. He held a licence for one more season but rode no more winners.
He left Kempton’s training operation in 1970 when offered a plum post with George Beeby, another local Compton trainer. He subsequently left Beeby’s, albeit reluctantly, to work in a pressed steel factory because he needed a job capable of supporting a mortgage.
He left Kempton’s training operation in 1970 when offered a plum post with George Beeby, another local Compton trainer. He subsequently left Beeby’s, albeit reluctantly, to work in a pressed steel factory because he needed a job capable of supporting a mortgage.
His involvement with Foinavon was chronicled in David Owen’s excellent 2013 book ‘Foinavon: The Story of the Grand National’s Biggest Upset’. When a plaque was unveiled on Foinavon’s stable box to commemorate his victory, Colin was reunited with both Kempton and Buckingham for the occasion.
His involvement with Foinavon was chronicled in David Owen’s excellent 2013 book ‘Foinavon: The Story of the Grand National’s Biggest Upset’. When a plaque was unveiled on Foinavon’s stable box to commemorate his victory, Colin was reunited with both Kempton and Buckingham for the occasion.
Colin Hemsley died on 31 July 2015.
Colin Hemsley died on 31 July 2015.
Colin scores at 20-1 on his only winner - Kelvinnie at Market Rasen on 2 September 1967
Colin scores at 20-1 on his only winner - Kelvinnie at Market Rasen on 2 September 1967