Joseph Hunt
1881-1944
1881-1944
Born in 1881, Leonard Joseph Hunt – he rode under his second christian name – began his career on the Flat before switching to jumps, going on to amass 103 wins in the latter sphere.
Born in 1881, Leonard Joseph Hunt – he rode under his second christian name – began his career on the Flat before switching to jumps, going on to amass 103 wins in the latter sphere.
Joseph started out as an apprentice with trainer E. J. Hobbs and rode his first winner on Weber, who landed Hurst Park’s Brockley Plate by a neck on April 24, 1897. He came within half a length of big race glory when finishing second on Walter Scott in the 1900 Ayr Gold Cup.
Joseph started out as an apprentice with trainer E. J. Hobbs and rode his first winner on Weber, who landed Hurst Park’s Brockley Plate by a neck on April 24, 1897. He came within half a length of big race glory when finishing second on Walter Scott in the 1900 Ayr Gold Cup.
He rode what proved to be his last winner on the Flat aboard Hard Luck in the Kingswinford Welter Selling Handicap at Wolverhampton on August 18, 1902, although he continued to take the occasional mount until 1912.
He rode what proved to be his last winner on the Flat aboard Hard Luck in the Kingswinford Welter Selling Handicap at Wolverhampton on August 18, 1902, although he continued to take the occasional mount until 1912.
Three months after riding his last winner on the Flat, Joseph finished second on his debut under National Hunt rules on Marion Rose in the Three-Years-Old Selling Hurdle at Newport on November 13, 1902. His first win under NH rules was gained on Ringing The Changes in the Monday Maiden Selling Hurdle at Windsor on January 26, 1903.
Three months after riding his last winner on the Flat, Joseph finished second on his debut under National Hunt rules on Marion Rose in the Three-Years-Old Selling Hurdle at Newport on November 13, 1902. His first win under NH rules was gained on Ringing The Changes in the Monday Maiden Selling Hurdle at Windsor on January 26, 1903.
He enjoyed his most successful year in 1907 with 23 wins, including a treble at Crewkerne on March 13 aboard Bideford Bay in the South Petherton Selling Hurdle, Celebration in the Yeovil Selling Chase, and Kid II in the Western Counties’ Hurdle.
He enjoyed his most successful year in 1907 with 23 wins, including a treble at Crewkerne on March 13 aboard Bideford Bay in the South Petherton Selling Hurdle, Celebration in the Yeovil Selling Chase, and Kid II in the Western Counties’ Hurdle.
Joseph was a consistent visitor to the winner’s enclosure over the next six years, with scores of 11 in 1908, 12 in 1909, 11 in 1911 and 15 in 1913.
Joseph was a consistent visitor to the winner’s enclosure over the next six years, with scores of 11 in 1908, 12 in 1909, 11 in 1911 and 15 in 1913.
His 1913 haul included seven handicap hurdle victories on B And S, beginning at Cardiff in March, then at Hawthorn Hill, Carmarthenshire Hunt and Cheltenham in April, Hambleton Hunt in May, followed by Cheltenham again and Newport in November. He also won three races on Gentilhomme, starting with the County Handicap Hurdle at Warwick in February, then a minor race at Monmouth, before finishing off the year with victory in the valuable Winchcombe Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham, a race they had also won the previous year.
His 1913 haul included seven handicap hurdle victories on B And S, beginning at Cardiff in March, then at Hawthorn Hill, Carmarthenshire Hunt and Cheltenham in April, Hambleton Hunt in May, followed by Cheltenham again and Newport in November. He also won three races on Gentilhomme, starting with the County Handicap Hurdle at Warwick in February, then a minor race at Monmouth, before finishing off the year with victory in the valuable Winchcombe Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham, a race they had also won the previous year.
Joseph rode B And S in his sole success of 1914 in the Beauchamp Challenge Cup Hurdle at Pembrokeshire Hunt, then in 1915 finished third on him in the Cleeve Selling Hurdle at Cheltenham’s National Hunt Meeting.
Joseph rode B And S in his sole success of 1914 in the Beauchamp Challenge Cup Hurdle at Pembrokeshire Hunt, then in 1915 finished third on him in the Cleeve Selling Hurdle at Cheltenham’s National Hunt Meeting.
B And S was also his last winner, albeit courtesy of the stewards. Having finished second in the Ledbury Selling Handicap Hurdle at Colwall Park on April 12, 1915, they were awarded the race when the winner was disqualified because his trainer had failed to declare that the horse would be wearing blinkers.
B And S was also his last winner, albeit courtesy of the stewards. Having finished second in the Ledbury Selling Handicap Hurdle at Colwall Park on April 12, 1915, they were awarded the race when the winner was disqualified because his trainer had failed to declare that the horse would be wearing blinkers.
Two days later, Joseph rode for the final time when finishing second, beaten three lengths, on Gentilhomme in the Southam Selling Hurdle at Cheltenham. He did not resume riding after World War One had ended.
Two days later, Joseph rode for the final time when finishing second, beaten three lengths, on Gentilhomme in the Southam Selling Hurdle at Cheltenham. He did not resume riding after World War One had ended.
Joseph Hunt died in 1944.
Joseph Hunt died in 1944.
Joseph Hunt (leading) winning the County Hurdle Handicap on Gentilhomme at Warwick, 1913.
Joseph Hunt (leading) winning the County Hurdle Handicap on Gentilhomme at Warwick, 1913.
Joseph Hunt's treble at Crewkerne 1907
Joseph Hunt's treble at Crewkerne 1907
Joseph Hunt and B And S (blinkers) jump the last to win the Cotswold Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in 1913.
Joseph and B And S
Joseph and B And S