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John Hayes (1980s)
Article by Alan Trout
John Matthew Hayes had six victories under National Hunt rules in the late 1980s. He rode as a conditional jockey for leading northern trainer Jimmy FitzGerald who supplied all his wins
John Matthew Hayes had six victories under National Hunt rules in the late 1980s. He rode as a conditional jockey for leading northern trainer Jimmy FitzGerald who supplied all his wins
He had his first ride on Jims Lass, fifth of seven finishers in the Sleaford Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen on August 15, 1987. It was at the same Lincolnshire venue that he had his first success when the six-year-old Gold Options, trained by Jimmy FitzGerald, drew clear near the end of the Col. R. Thompson Memorial Handicap Hurdle on Easter Monday 1988 to score by eight lengths.
He had his first ride on Jims Lass, fifth of seven finishers in the Sleaford Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen on August 15, 1987. It was at the same Lincolnshire venue that he had his first success when the six-year-old Gold Options, trained by Jimmy FitzGerald, drew clear near the end of the Col. R. Thompson Memorial Handicap Hurdle on Easter Monday 1988 to score by eight lengths.
John and Gold Options were reunited at Cartmel on the Saturday of its traditional Whitsun fixture where, sent off the odds-on favourites, they enjoyed an even easier victory in the Joanne Reeves Memorial Novices’ Hurdle, beating Richard Dunwoody’s mount Nicoridge by 15 lengths.
John and Gold Options were reunited at Cartmel on the Saturday of its traditional Whitsun fixture where, sent off the odds-on favourites, they enjoyed an even easier victory in the Joanne Reeves Memorial Novices’ Hurdle, beating Richard Dunwoody’s mount Nicoridge by 15 lengths.
John made a good start to the following season, winning four races by the end of November. It was by ten lengths that he won the Old Gold and Jewels Conditional Jockeys’ Novices’ Hurdle at Southwell on October 3 aboard Boutzdaroff. After Mark Dwyer had won on him at Stratford on November 3, John was back aboard nine days later to record a seven-length success in the Hussars Novices’ Hurdle at Newcastle.
John made a good start to the following season, winning four races by the end of November. It was by ten lengths that he won the Old Gold and Jewels Conditional Jockeys’ Novices’ Hurdle at Southwell on October 3 aboard Boutzdaroff. After Mark Dwyer had won on him at Stratford on November 3, John was back aboard nine days later to record a seven-length success in the Hussars Novices’ Hurdle at Newcastle.
Three days afterwards, Meikleour, making his seasonal debut, benefitted from the mistakes of others to land the Poplar Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase at Southwell by 25 lengths. Big Ash then justified odds-on favouritism by winning the Chase Handicap Chase at Market Rasen, also scoring by 25 lengths.
Three days afterwards, Meikleour, making his seasonal debut, benefitted from the mistakes of others to land the Poplar Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase at Southwell by 25 lengths. Big Ash then justified odds-on favouritism by winning the Chase Handicap Chase at Market Rasen, also scoring by 25 lengths.
John appeared to be going on to better things but it was rising weight that did for his career, ending it with just those six wins.
John appeared to be going on to better things but it was rising weight that did for his career, ending it with just those six wins.
John Hayes’ winners were, in chronological order:
John Hayes’ winners were, in chronological order:
1. Gold Options, Market Rasen, April 4, 1988
1. Gold Options, Market Rasen, April 4, 1988
2. Gold Options, Cartmel, May 28, 1989
2. Gold Options, Cartmel, May 28, 1989
3. Boutzdaroff, Southwell, October 3, 1989
3. Boutzdaroff, Southwell, October 3, 1989
4. Boutzdaroff, Newcastle, November 12, 1989
4. Boutzdaroff, Newcastle, November 12, 1989
5. Meikleour, Southwell, November 15, 1989
5. Meikleour, Southwell, November 15, 1989
6. Big Ash, Market Rasen, November 26, 1989
6. Big Ash, Market Rasen, November 26, 1989
John Hayes first winner: Gold Options, Market Rasen, April 4, 1988
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