John Heslop
John Heslop
John Heslop
Born in Stockton circa 1849, John Heslop rode on the Flat for many years. He achieved his biggest success on Blondin in the 1864 Goodwood Stakes.
Born in Stockton circa 1849, John Heslop rode on the Flat for many years. He achieved his biggest success on Blondin in the 1864 Goodwood Stakes.
His performance in winning that race, run on Wednesday, 27 July 1864, gained many plaudits. Ridden with great patience, Blondin won with ‘great ease’ by half a length. This was one of five winners for John that season from forty-one mounts.
His performance in winning that race, run on Wednesday, 27 July 1864, gained many plaudits. Ridden with great patience, Blondin won with ‘great ease’ by half a length. This was one of five winners for John that season from forty-one mounts.
On Thursday, 16 September 1875, John Heslop, by then a trainer, was returning to Beverley from Catfoss in a dog-cart. He struck a Vesuvian match on the splash-board to light his pipe. This caused the horse to bolt. The trap ran over a heap of stones and against a telegraph pole.
On Thursday, 16 September 1875, John Heslop, by then a trainer, was returning to Beverley from Catfoss in a dog-cart. He struck a Vesuvian match on the splash-board to light his pipe. This caused the horse to bolt. The trap ran over a heap of stones and against a telegraph pole.
The trainer was pitched out and the wheel passed over the lower part of his body. He was conveyed home to eventually make a full recovery. He was later taken to court by Beverley innkeeper Thomas Barnes, who had hired him the horse and gig. Barnes sought £8 15s damages for a broken trap. The judge found in his favour.
The trainer was pitched out and the wheel passed over the lower part of his body. He was conveyed home to eventually make a full recovery. He was later taken to court by Beverley innkeeper Thomas Barnes, who had hired him the horse and gig. Barnes sought £8 15s damages for a broken trap. The judge found in his favour.
John continued to combine training with riding in races, finally retiring in 1882. Towards the end of his career, he also owned some of the horses he rode.
John continued to combine training with riding in races, finally retiring in 1882. Towards the end of his career, he also owned some of the horses he rode.
John Heslop & Blondin win the 1864 Goodwood Stakes
John Heslop & Blondin win the 1864 Goodwood Stakes
