Alan Jones
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Standing 6ft 2½ins, Alan Jones was somewhat taller than your average jockey, even those who ply their trade over jumps. He nonetheless had a successful career before turning his hand to training.
Standing 6ft 2½ins, Alan Jones was somewhat taller than your average jockey, even those who ply their trade over jumps. He nonetheless had a successful career before turning his hand to training.
Alan Edward Jones was born on November 30, 1960 and went to school in Essex. His mother was in a circus and, on leaving school, Alan joined up as a circus stunt rider. He rode a horse called Snow who later appeared in the film Damien II. He also did a bit of rodeo riding at agricultural shows, which was all good practice for riding over fences.
Alan Edward Jones was born on November 30, 1960 and went to school in Essex. His mother was in a circus and, on leaving school, Alan joined up as a circus stunt rider. He rode a horse called Snow who later appeared in the film Damien II. He also did a bit of rodeo riding at agricultural shows, which was all good practice for riding over fences.
In 1981 Alan met trainer Mrs Mita Easton, who combined her training career with two others – anaesthetist in a hospital and running a pub. Her assistant/amateur rider Malcolm Batters, who was even taller than Alan, was about to give up, so Alan stepped in as head lad and soon found himself pulling pints at The Sheaf of Arrows at Cranborne, Dorset.
In 1981 Alan met trainer Mrs Mita Easton, who combined her training career with two others – anaesthetist in a hospital and running a pub. Her assistant/amateur rider Malcolm Batters, who was even taller than Alan, was about to give up, so Alan stepped in as head lad and soon found himself pulling pints at The Sheaf of Arrows at Cranborne, Dorset.
Alan rode four winners as an amateur, the first of them being on Williamson (right) in the Harry Holmes Memorial Handicap Chase at Leicester on December 20, 1982. They followed up at Newbury on New Year’s Eve. Another was novice chaser Rook Wood, who landed a Taunton novices’ chase on December 30, 1983.
Alan rode four winners as an amateur, the first of them being on Williamson (right) in the Harry Holmes Memorial Handicap Chase at Leicester on December 20, 1982. They followed up at Newbury on New Year’s Eve. Another was novice chaser Rook Wood, who landed a Taunton novices’ chase on December 30, 1983.
He turned professional at the start of the 1984/85 season and rode 13 winners from 75 rides. The following season saw him riding as Kim Bailey’s conditional jockey and was even more successful.
He turned professional at the start of the 1984/85 season and rode 13 winners from 75 rides. The following season saw him riding as Kim Bailey’s conditional jockey and was even more successful.
He had one ride in the Grand National, in 1987, completing the course in 21st place (22 finished that year) on 500/1 outsider Brit.
He had one ride in the Grand National, in 1987, completing the course in 21st place (22 finished that year) on 500/1 outsider Brit.
His scores gradually fell to single figures, with three winners from 77 mounts in 1987/88, and just one from 43 mounts by 1992/93.
His scores gradually fell to single figures, with three winners from 77 mounts in 1987/88, and just one from 43 mounts by 1992/93.
In 2000 he took out a jump trainer’s licence, initially based at Great Shefford, near Hungerford. He currently trains a string of a dozen horses at East Horwood Farm, Timberscombe, near Minehead.
In 2000 he took out a jump trainer’s licence, initially based at Great Shefford, near Hungerford. He currently trains a string of a dozen horses at East Horwood Farm, Timberscombe, near Minehead.