Gerry Hamilton
Northern-based National Hunt jockey Gerry Hamilton rode a total of 37 winners during a career compromised by World War Two.
Northern-based National Hunt jockey Gerry Hamilton rode a total of 37 winners during a career compromised by World War Two.
He had his first ride in public when finishing sixth of eleven on Passol in the Ashton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock Park on February 11, 1928. He didn’t have to wait long for his first winner, guiding 4-1 chance Little Quaker to a length-and-a-half victory in the three-mile Masham Handicap Chase at Catterick on March 7, 1928.
He had his first ride in public when finishing sixth of eleven on Passol in the Ashton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock Park on February 11, 1928. He didn’t have to wait long for his first winner, guiding 4-1 chance Little Quaker to a length-and-a-half victory in the three-mile Masham Handicap Chase at Catterick on March 7, 1928.
He enjoyed his most successful season in 1930/31 with eleven wins including Ashcrop in the Golborne Chase at Haydock Park in February. He rode Ashcrop in that season’s Scottish Grand National, finishing fourth, albeit the last of those to complete the course.
He enjoyed his most successful season in 1930/31 with eleven wins including Ashcrop in the Golborne Chase at Haydock Park in February. He rode Ashcrop in that season’s Scottish Grand National, finishing fourth, albeit the last of those to complete the course.
Thereafter he was an infrequent visitor to the winner’s enclosure, never riding more than five winners in a season. His two in the 1936/37 campaign were his last before the war. He resumed riding afterwards and had his comeback win on Gallabat in a Wetherby handicap hurdle on November 23, 1945. He only rode one more, again on Gallabat, in the Cumersdale Selling Handicap Hurdle at Carlisle on April 5, 1947.
Thereafter he was an infrequent visitor to the winner’s enclosure, never riding more than five winners in a season. His two in the 1936/37 campaign were his last before the war. He resumed riding afterwards and had his comeback win on Gallabat in a Wetherby handicap hurdle on November 23, 1945. He only rode one more, again on Gallabat, in the Cumersdale Selling Handicap Hurdle at Carlisle on April 5, 1947.
Ironically, his final mount may well have been the best he ever rode, although he did not manage to finish in the first nine on the inexperienced six-year-old Little Yid in the 29-runner Gopsall Maiden Hurdle at Leicester on January 12, 1948.
Ironically, his final mount may well have been the best he ever rode, although he did not manage to finish in the first nine on the inexperienced six-year-old Little Yid in the 29-runner Gopsall Maiden Hurdle at Leicester on January 12, 1948.
Little Yid, one of the relatively few twins to make a successful racehorse, developed into a true Aintree specialist, winning the Molyneux Chase three times as well as finishing first and second in the Topham Trophy. By then, however, Gerry Hamilton had long since hung up his boots and saddle.
Little Yid, one of the relatively few twins to make a successful racehorse, developed into a true Aintree specialist, winning the Molyneux Chase three times as well as finishing first and second in the Topham Trophy. By then, however, Gerry Hamilton had long since hung up his boots and saddle.
