John Hislop
1911 - 1994
1911 - 1994
John Leslie Hislop was born in Quetta, India, on December 12, 1911, and rode his first winner at Bungay on April 18, 1935.
John Leslie Hislop was born in Quetta, India, on December 12, 1911, and rode his first winner at Bungay on April 18, 1935.
During the war, he served with distinction in the Sussex Yeomanry.
During the war, he served with distinction in the Sussex Yeomanry.
When, after the war, Fred Darling - then in poor health - asked John to join him as assistant trainer with a view to taking over when he retired, John immediately refused.
When, after the war, Fred Darling - then in poor health - asked John to join him as assistant trainer with a view to taking over when he retired, John immediately refused.
Aged 34, he was still a comparatively young man who, because of the war, had lost five years of race-riding: he was keen to resume his career in the saddle, if only for a season or two. (He had been the leading amateur rider on the flat in 1938 & 1939).
Aged 34, he was still a comparatively young man who, because of the war, had lost five years of race-riding: he was keen to resume his career in the saddle, if only for a season or two. (He had been the leading amateur rider on the flat in 1938 & 1939).
Before the war, John had become acquainted with the Lewes trainer Tom Masson. In the early forties, John bought a half-share in a tall, handsome grey gelding called Milk Bar (Tom Masson bought the other).
Before the war, John had become acquainted with the Lewes trainer Tom Masson. In the early forties, John bought a half-share in a tall, handsome grey gelding called Milk Bar (Tom Masson bought the other).
This, on November 3, 1945, at Fontwell, was to be John’s first ride back after the war. They finished third, but later won two races together, both at Plumpton.
This, on November 3, 1945, at Fontwell, was to be John’s first ride back after the war. They finished third, but later won two races together, both at Plumpton.
Milk Bar’s lad was a slightly built Irishman called Harry Hannon who, after leaving Tom Masson’s, set up training on his own.
Milk Bar’s lad was a slightly built Irishman called Harry Hannon who, after leaving Tom Masson’s, set up training on his own.
Harry, father of Richard Hannon, gave John several rides, including one on a hurdler called Henri Quatre, who carried John to a narrow victory on Boxing Day, 1947.
Harry, father of Richard Hannon, gave John several rides, including one on a hurdler called Henri Quatre, who carried John to a narrow victory on Boxing Day, 1947.
John, earlier, also rode a classy hurdler called Prince Paramont who, on November 30, 1945, was entered for the second division of the Haresfield Novices’ Hurdle for which was Salver, a high-class flashy chestnut which, on the Flat, had finished second to subsequent Derby winner Ocean Swell and to Tehran, who went on to win that year’s St Leger.
John, earlier, also rode a classy hurdler called Prince Paramont who, on November 30, 1945, was entered for the second division of the Haresfield Novices’ Hurdle for which was Salver, a high-class flashy chestnut which, on the Flat, had finished second to subsequent Derby winner Ocean Swell and to Tehran, who went on to win that year’s St Leger.
John was convinced, however, that Prince Paramount, an out-and-out stayer, would beat Salver up the Cheltenham hill, and so it proved, Prince Paramount going away on the run-in to land John and the entire stable workforce some hefty bets
John was convinced, however, that Prince Paramount, an out-and-out stayer, would beat Salver up the Cheltenham hill, and so it proved, Prince Paramount going away on the run-in to land John and the entire stable workforce some hefty bets
Another good horse which John rode and won on at that time was National Spirit, who was to go on to win two Champion Hurdles.
Another good horse which John rode and won on at that time was National Spirit, who was to go on to win two Champion Hurdles.
It was on the opening day of Salisbury’s two-day meeting shortly after when John was asked by trainer George Todd to ride Gremlin in the next day’s bumper. John had ridden for George Todd a couple of times before the war. As it was the first amateur flat race to take place after the war, John immediately accepted.
It was on the opening day of Salisbury’s two-day meeting shortly after when John was asked by trainer George Todd to ride Gremlin in the next day’s bumper. John had ridden for George Todd a couple of times before the war. As it was the first amateur flat race to take place after the war, John immediately accepted.
They won by an easy three lengths from the Frank Cundell-ridden Royal Glory.
They won by an easy three lengths from the Frank Cundell-ridden Royal Glory.
John went on to become a supreme stylist and an amateur who was implicitly trusted by the racing public. He rode mostly on the Flat, particularly for the trainers George Todd and Stanley Wootton. He was the leading amateur on the flat from 1946 to 1955.
John went on to become a supreme stylist and an amateur who was implicitly trusted by the racing public. He rode mostly on the Flat, particularly for the trainers George Todd and Stanley Wootton. He was the leading amateur on the flat from 1946 to 1955.
He also took the occasional jumps ride and had the thrill of finishing third in the 1947 Grand National on the 33-1 chance Kami.
He also took the occasional jumps ride and had the thrill of finishing third in the 1947 Grand National on the 33-1 chance Kami.
John’s final winner was at Ayr on Tickled Pink in September, 1956.
John’s final winner was at Ayr on Tickled Pink in September, 1956.
John’s last ride was Carino, which had given him his 100th winner on the Flat in England.
John’s last ride was Carino, which had given him his 100th winner on the Flat in England.
When he finally retired from the saddle in that year, his score stood at 102 winners on the Flat and 48 under National Hunt rules.
When he finally retired from the saddle in that year, his score stood at 102 winners on the Flat and 48 under National Hunt rules.
He became the racing correspondent for the Observer, where he stayed for 16 years before moving to the News of the World. He later went on to become breeding correspondent for the Sporting Chronicle, then The Sporting Life.
He became the racing correspondent for the Observer, where he stayed for 16 years before moving to the News of the World. He later went on to become breeding correspondent for the Sporting Chronicle, then The Sporting Life.
John’s many books included the autobiographical ‘Far From a Gentleman’ & ‘Anything But A Jockey’.
John’s many books included the autobiographical ‘Far From a Gentleman’ & ‘Anything But A Jockey’.
John moved to East Woodhay, near Newbury, where he established a small stud. His outstanding success there was to breed the great horse Brigadier Gerard.
John moved to East Woodhay, near Newbury, where he established a small stud. His outstanding success there was to breed the great horse Brigadier Gerard.
When John was at preparatory school, his riding instructoress, a Miss Clay, used to regale him with stories of Edwardian idol Pretty Polly, who thus became John’s own hero. Years later, John became assistant trainer to Victor Gilpin at Clarehaven, Newmarket, where Pretty Polly had been trained.
When John was at preparatory school, his riding instructoress, a Miss Clay, used to regale him with stories of Edwardian idol Pretty Polly, who thus became John’s own hero. Years later, John became assistant trainer to Victor Gilpin at Clarehaven, Newmarket, where Pretty Polly had been trained.
Just after the war, John bought, for 400 guineas, Brazen Molly, a mare who traced to Pretty Polly. In 1956, Brazen Molly foaled La Paiva who, in turn, produced Brigadier Gerard (who went on to win the 1971 2,000 Guineas).
Just after the war, John bought, for 400 guineas, Brazen Molly, a mare who traced to Pretty Polly. In 1956, Brazen Molly foaled La Paiva who, in turn, produced Brigadier Gerard (who went on to win the 1971 2,000 Guineas).
John Hislop died on February 22, 1994.
John Hislop died on February 22, 1994.