John Haine

1942 - 1998

Born on 30 December 1942, in Chipping Sodbury, Johnny Haine - the son of a farmer - won more than 100 prizes in Gymkhanas before joining Bob Turnell in 1958. His first winner was Misconception at Bath in September, 1958.

He rode 13 winners on the Flat before switching to jumping. The first of those was Misconception, trained by Bob Turnell, in the Monument Handicap at Bath on September 10, 1958.  

His first NH winner, Domain, came at Cheltenham.

Acclaimed for his fine riding style which he based upon his boyhood hero, Scobie Breasley.

Having stopped riding in 1977, he began training, finally retiring just three years later.

Sadly, he had severe heart damage and a drink problem: he died after a drink binge on October 8, 1998.

He named his house after Buona Notte, who was killed in the 1965 Great Yorkshire Chase.

Champion Hurdle winner: Salmon Spray (1966)

Other big winners:

1963: Gloucestershire Hurdle – Buona Notte

1964: Totalisator Novices’ Chase – Buona Notte 

1964: Scottish Grand National – Popham Down  

1965: Worcester Royal Porcelain Chase – Meon Valley 

1965: National Hunt Handicap Chase – Rondetto 

1965: Liverpool Handicap Hurdle – Salmon Spray 

1966: Worcester Royal Porcelain Chase – Meon Valley 

1967: Coventry Handicap Chase – Maigret 

1967: Imperial Cup – Sir Thopas 

1967: Gloucestershire Hurdle – Chorus 

1968: Stone’s Ginger Wine Chase – Bowgeeno 

1970: Topham Trophy – Charter Flight 

1971: Gloucestershire Hurdle – Barnard 

1971: National Hunt Handicap Chase – Lord Jim 

1972: Welsh Grand National – Charlie H

1972: Prix Gerald de Rochefort – Franklin 

1973: Mildmay of Flete Chase – Vulgan Town 

1973: Triumph Hurdle – Moonlight Bay 

Article by Chas Hammond