John Heath
John Heath
John Heath
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
National Hunt jockey John Heath rode mainly in the West Country. After a promising start with six wins in 1899, he only managed three more in the first years of the 20th century. All nine were gained at Devon courses.
National Hunt jockey John Heath rode mainly in the West Country. After a promising start with six wins in 1899, he only managed three more in the first years of the 20th century. All nine were gained at Devon courses.
His first success was at Buckfastleigh on Whit Monday, May 22, 1899, when Haste won the Licensed Victuallers’ Chase by 20 lengths. At Newton Abbot on August 7, John steered the seven-year-old to victory by a head in the Stover Chase and won on him again the next day when landing the Kingsteinton Handicap Chase by two lengths. Between Haste’s two wins, John also won the Easter Devon Selling Chase on Student.
His first success was at Buckfastleigh on Whit Monday, May 22, 1899, when Haste won the Licensed Victuallers’ Chase by 20 lengths. At Newton Abbot on August 7, John steered the seven-year-old to victory by a head in the Stover Chase and won on him again the next day when landing the Kingsteinton Handicap Chase by two lengths. Between Haste’s two wins, John also won the Easter Devon Selling Chase on Student.
The following month, Haste repeated the feat by scoring on both days of the Devon & Exeter meeting, winning the Devonshire Chase by four lengths and the Mamhead Chase by a distance. However, next time out, Haste rather blotted his copybook when running out at Totnes on September 12, but came back the following day to finish second, beaten a short head.
The following month, Haste repeated the feat by scoring on both days of the Devon & Exeter meeting, winning the Devonshire Chase by four lengths and the Mamhead Chase by a distance. However, next time out, Haste rather blotted his copybook when running out at Totnes on September 12, but came back the following day to finish second, beaten a short head.
Haste won a race in 1900, but John was not in the saddle. Instead, he had to wait until September 9, 1902, for his next win. This came at Totnes when Eight, owned, like his previous winners, by Joseph Hamlyn, won the Maiden Selling Hurdle by a length and a half. Eight ran again the following day but finished down the field and was then sold.
Haste won a race in 1900, but John was not in the saddle. Instead, he had to wait until September 9, 1902, for his next win. This came at Totnes when Eight, owned, like his previous winners, by Joseph Hamlyn, won the Maiden Selling Hurdle by a length and a half. Eight ran again the following day but finished down the field and was then sold.
At Buckfastleigh on Whit Monday, June 1, 1903, John won the Dart Vale Hurdle at the second time of asking. Felise, ridden by Tom Savage, passed the post first, with John on Satiation not in the first three. However, four of the field, including Felise, had started before the starter’s orders. The stewards ordered the race to be re-run. Felise did not start, and Satiation won by a length. The five-year-old was owned by Arthur ‘Stosher’ Wood, one of the best amateur riders, and was usually ridden by him, but John seized his chance on this occasion before Satiation was sold.
At Buckfastleigh on Whit Monday, June 1, 1903, John won the Dart Vale Hurdle at the second time of asking. Felise, ridden by Tom Savage, passed the post first, with John on Satiation not in the first three. However, four of the field, including Felise, had started before the starter’s orders. The stewards ordered the race to be re-run. Felise did not start, and Satiation won by a length. The five-year-old was owned by Arthur ‘Stosher’ Wood, one of the best amateur riders, and was usually ridden by him, but John seized his chance on this occasion before Satiation was sold.
His final winner was at South Brent on June 5, 1906, when Baroness III won the Dartmoor Optional Selling Chase. He had ridden the mare the previous day when they were unplaced at Buckfastleigh, but now they made no mistake and won by 20 lengths. Baroness III was sold after the race.
His final winner was at South Brent on June 5, 1906, when Baroness III won the Dartmoor Optional Selling Chase. He had ridden the mare the previous day when they were unplaced at Buckfastleigh, but now they made no mistake and won by 20 lengths. Baroness III was sold after the race.
John had his final ride at Newport on November 15, 1906, when Canonese II finished third in the Novices’ Hurdle.
John had his final ride at Newport on November 15, 1906, when Canonese II finished third in the Novices’ Hurdle.
John Heath’s winners were, in chronological order:
John Heath’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Haste, Buckfastleigh, May 22, 1899
1. Haste, Buckfastleigh, May 22, 1899
2. Haste, Newton Abbot, August 7, 1899
2. Haste, Newton Abbot, August 7, 1899
3. Student, Newton Abbot, August 8, 1899
3. Student, Newton Abbot, August 8, 1899
4. Haste, Newton Abbot, August 8, 1899
4. Haste, Newton Abbot, August 8, 1899
5. Haste, Devon & Exeter, September 5, 1899
5. Haste, Devon & Exeter, September 5, 1899
6. Haste, Devon & Exeter, September 6, 1899
6. Haste, Devon & Exeter, September 6, 1899
7. Eight, Totnes, September 9, 1902
7. Eight, Totnes, September 9, 1902
8. Satiation, Buckfastleigh, June 1, 1903
8. Satiation, Buckfastleigh, June 1, 1903
9. Baroness III, South Brent, June 5, 1906
9. Baroness III, South Brent, June 5, 1906
John Heath's Newton Abbot double on 8 August 1899
John Heath's Newton Abbot double on 8 August 1899