James Hair
James Hair
James Hair
James Hair and his brother Thomas (born 1876) were Irish jockeys who made frequent trips to Britain around the turn of the 20th century. On one memorable afternoon in 1900, the brothers both recorded doubles at separate meetings.
James Hair and his brother Thomas (born 1876) were Irish jockeys who made frequent trips to Britain around the turn of the 20th century. On one memorable afternoon in 1900, the brothers both recorded doubles at separate meetings.
James was the more successful of the two with 16 winners, while Tommy had nine. James was also first of them to ride a winner in Britain, in January 1893, when Tornado won the unimaginatively titled January Handicap Hurdle at Manchester by five lengths. A versatile sort, Tornado had scored twice on the Flat in Ireland the previous year but, following his Manchester success, failed to shine either in England or Ireland thereafter.
James was the more successful of the two with 16 winners, while Tommy had nine. James was also first of them to ride a winner in Britain, in January 1893, when Tornado won the unimaginatively titled January Handicap Hurdle at Manchester by five lengths. A versatile sort, Tornado had scored twice on the Flat in Ireland the previous year but, following his Manchester success, failed to shine either in England or Ireland thereafter.
Just seven days after celebrating his first win in England, James had another when Whitehead was successful in the February Handicap Hurdle at Leicester, beating Fringe, ridden by Lord Dangan, by a neck.
Just seven days after celebrating his first win in England, James had another when Whitehead was successful in the February Handicap Hurdle at Leicester, beating Fringe, ridden by Lord Dangan, by a neck.
Five years elapsed before James tasted further British success, by which time Thomas and another Hair brother, Robert, all held National Hunt jockeys’ licences.
Five years elapsed before James tasted further British success, by which time Thomas and another Hair brother, Robert, all held National Hunt jockeys’ licences.
He rode seven winners in 1900, including a double at Haydock Park on April 19, the same day that Thomas Hair registered his own double at Worcester.
He rode seven winners in 1900, including a double at Haydock Park on April 19, the same day that Thomas Hair registered his own double at Worcester.
James’s last victory was on The Chief at Hall Green on June 2, 1902, when beating nine rivals to land the Robin Hood Scurry Chase. Although he continued to make the occasional visit, there were no more wins. He rode for the final time in Britain at Cheltenham on October 24, 1907, when finishing third on Eoscene in the Cleeve Selling Chase.
James’s last victory was on The Chief at Hall Green on June 2, 1902, when beating nine rivals to land the Robin Hood Scurry Chase. Although he continued to make the occasional visit, there were no more wins. He rode for the final time in Britain at Cheltenham on October 24, 1907, when finishing third on Eoscene in the Cleeve Selling Chase.
James Hair’s British winners were, in chronological order:
James Hair’s British winners were, in chronological order:
1. Tornado, Manchester, January 25, 1893
1. Tornado, Manchester, January 25, 1893
2. Whitehead, Leicester, February 1, 1893
2. Whitehead, Leicester, February 1, 1893
3. Young Torpedo, Carmarthenshire Hunt, February 9, 1898
3. Young Torpedo, Carmarthenshire Hunt, February 9, 1898
4. Young Torpedo, Carmarthenshire Hunt, February 10, 1898
4. Young Torpedo, Carmarthenshire Hunt, February 10, 1898
5. Pollio, Llangibby and Tredegar Hunt, November 16, 1898 (dead-heat)
5. Pollio, Llangibby and Tredegar Hunt, November 16, 1898 (dead-heat)
6. Torquil, Usk, April 10, 1899
6. Torquil, Usk, April 10, 1899
7. Walton Pride, Usk, April 2, 1900
7. Walton Pride, Usk, April 2, 1900
8. Ellie, Hooton Park, April 6, 1900
8. Ellie, Hooton Park, April 6, 1900
9. White Blind, Haydock Park, April 19, 1900
9. White Blind, Haydock Park, April 19, 1900
10. Underbred, Haydock Park, April 19, 1900
10. Underbred, Haydock Park, April 19, 1900
11. Tip Cat, Shirley Hunt, April 30, 1900
11. Tip Cat, Shirley Hunt, April 30, 1900
12. Sharp Practice, Tanat Side Hunt, May 1, 1900
12. Sharp Practice, Tanat Side Hunt, May 1, 1900
13. Palm Leaf II, Wolverhampton, October 23, 1900
13. Palm Leaf II, Wolverhampton, October 23, 1900
14. The Chief, Wolverhampton, April 8, 1901
14. The Chief, Wolverhampton, April 8, 1901
15. Saintly Michael, Wolverhampton, October 29, 1901
15. Saintly Michael, Wolverhampton, October 29, 1901
16. The Chief, Hall Green, June 2, 1902
16. The Chief, Hall Green, June 2, 1902
James landed a double, White Blind & Underbred, at Haydock Park on April 19, 1900
James landed a double, White Blind & Underbred, at Haydock Park on April 19, 1900