Thomas Hawcroft
1918 - 1954
1918 - 1954
Tommy Hawcroft was born in Yorkshire on February 23, 1918 and was apprenticed to Stanley Wootton at Epsom.
Tommy Hawcroft was born in Yorkshire on February 23, 1918 and was apprenticed to Stanley Wootton at Epsom.
His first win came on May 14 1934 when a racing paper recorded that 'a small boy named Hawcroft rode a well-judged race on St Mark to win the last event of the afternoon' (at Alexandra Park).
His first win came on May 14 1934 when a racing paper recorded that 'a small boy named Hawcroft rode a well-judged race on St Mark to win the last event of the afternoon' (at Alexandra Park).
His best win came on Commander lll in the 1935 Cambridgeshire.
His best win came on Commander lll in the 1935 Cambridgeshire.
He served with the R.A.V.C. during the war; he then became associated with Winston Churchill's popular grey stayer, Colonist ll.
He served with the R.A.V.C. during the war; he then became associated with Winston Churchill's popular grey stayer, Colonist ll.
Tommy rode Colonist ll to win its first race (Salisbury, 1949) and won on him twice more, at Ascot and Windsor.
Tommy rode Colonist ll to win its first race (Salisbury, 1949) and won on him twice more, at Ascot and Windsor.
Towards the end of his life he was troubled with health and weight problems.
Towards the end of his life he was troubled with health and weight problems.
One morning in 1954, he took a rifle into the woods - 'to shoot pigeons' he told his friends. He was found dead with gunshot wounds later that day.
One morning in 1954, he took a rifle into the woods - 'to shoot pigeons' he told his friends. He was found dead with gunshot wounds later that day.
He won the 1935 Cambridgeshire on Commander lll & the 1949 Ribblesdale Stakes on Colonist ll.
He won the 1935 Cambridgeshire on Commander lll & the 1949 Ribblesdale Stakes on Colonist ll.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1935: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Commander III
1935: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Commander III
1949: Ribblesdale Stakes – Colonist II
1949: Ribblesdale Stakes – Colonist II
1949: Horris Hill Stakes – Lone Victress
1949: Horris Hill Stakes – Lone Victress
1950: Lingfield Derby Trial – Tramper
1950: Lingfield Derby Trial – Tramper