John Humphreys
John Humphreys
John Humphreys
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Although not a leading jockey of the period, John Humphreys rode steadily throughout the 1950s and had plenty of mounts, compiling two wins on the Flat and 22 over jumps, with a best score of eight in the 1951/52 season.
Although not a leading jockey of the period, John Humphreys rode steadily throughout the 1950s and had plenty of mounts, compiling two wins on the Flat and 22 over jumps, with a best score of eight in the 1951/52 season.
Apprenticed to Fred Rimell, who was just starting out on what would become an illustrious training career, John rode his first winner on Cent Nous, trained by another former leading National Hunt jockey, Evan Williams, at Salisbury on July 6, 1949, un the Wimborne Handicap Stakes. Williams also supplied John with his only other victory on the Flat, a horse named Coolshamrock, who won the Chobham Apprentice Stakes at Ascot on September 23, 1949, with 13-year-old Lester Piggott back in fifth place on Luxuriant.
Apprenticed to Fred Rimell, who was just starting out on what would become an illustrious training career, John rode his first winner on Cent Nous, trained by another former leading National Hunt jockey, Evan Williams, at Salisbury on July 6, 1949, un the Wimborne Handicap Stakes. Williams also supplied John with his only other victory on the Flat, a horse named Coolshamrock, who won the Chobham Apprentice Stakes at Ascot on September 23, 1949, with 13-year-old Lester Piggott back in fifth place on Luxuriant.
Over jumps, John had his first success at Wincanton on Boxing Day 1949 when E.S.B., trained by Fred Rimell, won the Bayford Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) by four lengths. It was the first time he had ridden the three-year-old who would go on to win the 1956 Grand National in the hands of Dave Dick, a race more usually remembered for the dramatic collapse of the Queen Mother’s horse Devon Loch within yards of the winning post. John kept the mount on E.S.B. next time out when third at Stratford in January, but when a switch to fences took place, the great Martin Molony took over and won the National Hunt Juvenile Chase on him at Cheltenham in March.
Over jumps, John had his first success at Wincanton on Boxing Day 1949 when E.S.B., trained by Fred Rimell, won the Bayford Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) by four lengths. It was the first time he had ridden the three-year-old who would go on to win the 1956 Grand National in the hands of Dave Dick, a race more usually remembered for the dramatic collapse of the Queen Mother’s horse Devon Loch within yards of the winning post. John kept the mount on E.S.B. next time out when third at Stratford in January, but when a switch to fences took place, the great Martin Molony took over and won the National Hunt Juvenile Chase on him at Cheltenham in March.
All of John’s first 14 winners over jumps were trained by Fred Rimell. They included the prolific Unconditional Surrender, who cost his owner, Frank Jordison, just 210 guineas but went on to win some 30 races. John was in the saddle for two of them, at the start and end of 1952, at Haydock Park in January and at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day.
All of John’s first 14 winners over jumps were trained by Fred Rimell. They included the prolific Unconditional Surrender, who cost his owner, Frank Jordison, just 210 guineas but went on to win some 30 races. John was in the saddle for two of them, at the start and end of 1952, at Haydock Park in January and at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day.
His next seven winners were all trained by Bob Ward, including four on the hurdler Hickory, and a Southwell hurdle race on Vidi Vici, a useful staying handicapper on the Flat, who had been placed in the Ascot Stakes, Goodwood Stakes, Great Metropolitan and Chester Cup.
His next seven winners were all trained by Bob Ward, including four on the hurdler Hickory, and a Southwell hurdle race on Vidi Vici, a useful staying handicapper on the Flat, who had been placed in the Ascot Stakes, Goodwood Stakes, Great Metropolitan and Chester Cup.
John’s last winner was Day Boy, trained by Colin Laidler at Market Drayton, who won the Cannock Maiden Hurdle (Division II) on April 8, 1958. Riding the five-year-old for the first time, he beat Stem Christie, ridden by Peter Major, by eight lengths to record his first winner for three years. Although he was placed on both of Day Boy’s next two starts, he was replaced by Paddy Farrell before the gelding won at Woore on the first day of May. By then, John was nearing the end of his career. He held a licence for just one more season but rode no further winners.
John’s last winner was Day Boy, trained by Colin Laidler at Market Drayton, who won the Cannock Maiden Hurdle (Division II) on April 8, 1958. Riding the five-year-old for the first time, he beat Stem Christie, ridden by Peter Major, by eight lengths to record his first winner for three years. Although he was placed on both of Day Boy’s next two starts, he was replaced by Paddy Farrell before the gelding won at Woore on the first day of May. By then, John was nearing the end of his career. He held a licence for just one more season but rode no further winners.
John Humphreys’ winners were, in chronological order:
John Humphreys’ winners were, in chronological order:
1. Cent Nous, Salisbury, July 6, 1949
1. Cent Nous, Salisbury, July 6, 1949
2. Coolshamrock, Ascot, September 23, 1949
2. Coolshamrock, Ascot, September 23, 1949
3. E.S.B., Wincanton, December 26, 1949
3. E.S.B., Wincanton, December 26, 1949
4. Valley Forge, Wolverhampton, January 23, 1950
4. Valley Forge, Wolverhampton, January 23, 1950
5. Middle Arch, Ludlow, April 27, 1950
5. Middle Arch, Ludlow, April 27, 1950
6. Ordnance, Cheltenham, December 29, 1950
6. Ordnance, Cheltenham, December 29, 1950
7. Philip Morris, Newton Abbot, August 6, 1951
7. Philip Morris, Newton Abbot, August 6, 1951
8. Broad Meadow, Stratford, September 15, 1951
8. Broad Meadow, Stratford, September 15, 1951
9. Unconditional Surrender, Haydock Park, January 5, 1952
9. Unconditional Surrender, Haydock Park, January 5, 1952
10. Victory Light, Birmingham, February 19, 1952
10. Victory Light, Birmingham, February 19, 1952
11. Victory Light, Windsor, February 27, 1952
11. Victory Light, Windsor, February 27, 1952
12. Gelderland, Worcester, March 1, 1952
12. Gelderland, Worcester, March 1, 1952
13. Cement City, Wolverhampton, March 10, 1952
13. Cement City, Wolverhampton, March 10, 1952
14. Nisus, Lingfield Park, March 20, 1952
14. Nisus, Lingfield Park, March 20, 1952
15. Ascension, Worcester, October 1, 1952
15. Ascension, Worcester, October 1, 1952
16. Unconditional Surrender, Wolverhampton, December 26, 1952
16. Unconditional Surrender, Wolverhampton, December 26, 1952
17. Hickory, Uttoxeter, April 19, 1954
17. Hickory, Uttoxeter, April 19, 1954
18. Vidi Vici, Southwell, May 17, 1954
18. Vidi Vici, Southwell, May 17, 1954
19. Hickory, Cartmel, June 5, 1954
19. Hickory, Cartmel, June 5, 1954
20. Six Wings, Wincanton, September 16, 1954
20. Six Wings, Wincanton, September 16, 1954
21. Hickory, Stratford, October 7, 1954
21. Hickory, Stratford, October 7, 1954
22. Hickory, Ayr, January 4, 1955
22. Hickory, Ayr, January 4, 1955
23. Hop Leys, Worcester, March 7, 1955
23. Hop Leys, Worcester, March 7, 1955
24. Day Boy, Uttoxeter, April 8, 1958
24. Day Boy, Uttoxeter, April 8, 1958