John Hyde
National Hunt jockey John Leslie Hyde probably lost much of his career due to the conflicts of World War Two. When hostilities ended in 1945, he was already in his early forties.
National Hunt jockey John Leslie Hyde probably lost much of his career due to the conflicts of World War Two. When hostilities ended in 1945, he was already in his early forties.
He had few opportunities and even fewer winners, the most recent of them being on the grey mare Caesar’s Wife in the three-mile Berrington Handicap Chase at Ludlow on February 28, 1952, his sole success from just eight rides that season. He’d ridden her at Manchester the previous month, finishing fourth behind the favourite Sergeant Kelly.
He had few opportunities and even fewer winners, the most recent of them being on the grey mare Caesar’s Wife in the three-mile Berrington Handicap Chase at Ludlow on February 28, 1952, his sole success from just eight rides that season. He’d ridden her at Manchester the previous month, finishing fourth behind the favourite Sergeant Kelly.
Caesar’s Wife was owned, trained and usually ridden by Mr Gordon Rogers of Wirswall Hall, Whitchurch, in Shropshire. However, he struggled to do 10st 9lb and the mare was set to carry 10st 7lb for the Ludlow race. Furthermore, John Hyde’s 7lb claim brought her weight down to just 10st, and she took full advantage of that concession by taking the lead after a mile and making the rest to come home 15 lengths clear of her nearest rival.
Caesar’s Wife was owned, trained and usually ridden by Mr Gordon Rogers of Wirswall Hall, Whitchurch, in Shropshire. However, he struggled to do 10st 9lb and the mare was set to carry 10st 7lb for the Ludlow race. Furthermore, John Hyde’s 7lb claim brought her weight down to just 10st, and she took full advantage of that concession by taking the lead after a mile and making the rest to come home 15 lengths clear of her nearest rival.
Mr Rogers rode her for the remainder of the season, including when winning at Bangor-on-Dee and when parting company at the third fence in the 1952 Grand National.
Mr Rogers rode her for the remainder of the season, including when winning at Bangor-on-Dee and when parting company at the third fence in the 1952 Grand National.
Bank Holidays and Boxing Days, when there are several meetings, are traditionally the days when the lesser lights get their chance to shine. Thus, John Hyde journeyed to Wolverhampton on Boxing Day 1952 for three rides. He finished second, beaten two lengths, on Okotoks in the opening selling chase, then finished unplaced on Distinguished Gent and Helen Of Troy in the two divisions of the novices’ hurdle.
Bank Holidays and Boxing Days, when there are several meetings, are traditionally the days when the lesser lights get their chance to shine. Thus, John Hyde journeyed to Wolverhampton on Boxing Day 1952 for three rides. He finished second, beaten two lengths, on Okotoks in the opening selling chase, then finished unplaced on Distinguished Gent and Helen Of Troy in the two divisions of the novices’ hurdle.
He was back at Wolverhampton for the second day of its Christmas meeting, Saturday, December 27, 1952, this time for two rides. The first, Abigail, who had fallen at the water in the selling chase the day before and was now running in a selling hurdle, completed the course safely, albeit in rear.
He was back at Wolverhampton for the second day of its Christmas meeting, Saturday, December 27, 1952, this time for two rides. The first, Abigail, who had fallen at the water in the selling chase the day before and was now running in a selling hurdle, completed the course safely, albeit in rear.
An hour later, he rode Perfect Game for Atherstone trainer Les Maund in the 22-runner Bushbury Juvenile Hurdle. Perfect Game was making his hurdling debut. The horse fell and John Hyde was killed, having been kicked by at least six following horses and fracturing his skull. He was 48.
An hour later, he rode Perfect Game for Atherstone trainer Les Maund in the 22-runner Bushbury Juvenile Hurdle. Perfect Game was making his hurdling debut. The horse fell and John Hyde was killed, having been kicked by at least six following horses and fracturing his skull. He was 48.