Basil Jones
Basil Paul Jones, born on August 12, 1947, served a five-year apprenticeship with Jack Yeomans, who trained at Moor Farm, Hill Croome, Upton-on-Severn.
Basil Paul Jones, born on August 12, 1947, served a five-year apprenticeship with Jack Yeomans, who trained at Moor Farm, Hill Croome, Upton-on-Severn.
Yeomans’ stable was a thriving establishment in terms of riders. Rex Hamey was the stable jockey, while other apprentices there included Ken White, Peter Warner and David Cartwright.
Yeomans’ stable was a thriving establishment in terms of riders. Rex Hamey was the stable jockey, while other apprentices there included Ken White, Peter Warner and David Cartwright.
Basil rode his first winner on Chingnu in a one-mile handicap on the Flat at Wolverhampton on September 11, 1965. He rode another Flat winner the following year.
Basil rode his first winner on Chingnu in a one-mile handicap on the Flat at Wolverhampton on September 11, 1965. He rode another Flat winner the following year.
He took out a National Hunt jockey’s licence for the 1968/69 campaign, living at The Homestead, Twyning, Tewkesbury, and enjoyed his best season with eight winners, the first of which came on Denzil Jenkins’ handicap hurdler John’s
He took out a National Hunt jockey’s licence for the 1968/69 campaign, living at The Homestead, Twyning, Tewkesbury, and enjoyed his best season with eight winners, the first of which came on Denzil Jenkins’ handicap hurdler John’s
Nephew at Stratford on September 7, 1968. He won on him again over course and distance three weeks later. In October, he landed a Carlisle novices’ hurdle on Signor Dominico for Matt McCourt – who had taken over the trainer’s licence following Jack Yeomans’ death earlier that year.
Nephew at Stratford on September 7, 1968. He won on him again over course and distance three weeks later. In October, he landed a Carlisle novices’ hurdle on Signor Dominico for Matt McCourt – who had taken over the trainer’s licence following Jack Yeomans’ death earlier that year.
The following month, on Thursday, November 28, 1968, Basil won the three-runner Ormskirk Handicap Chase at Haydock on Game Purston, a Haydock specialist and Grand National ‘regular’. Basil later nominated Game Purston as the best horse he rode during his career.
The following month, on Thursday, November 28, 1968, Basil won the three-runner Ormskirk Handicap Chase at Haydock on Game Purston, a Haydock specialist and Grand National ‘regular’. Basil later nominated Game Purston as the best horse he rode during his career.
He finished that 1968/69 campaign with a flourish, winning on selling chaser Gene Wood for Ray Peacock at Cartmel over Whitsun and then landing a double at Stratford for Matt McCourt on chaser Vulrory and hurdler Paidfor at Stratford on the penultimate day of the season.
He finished that 1968/69 campaign with a flourish, winning on selling chaser Gene Wood for Ray Peacock at Cartmel over Whitsun and then landing a double at Stratford for Matt McCourt on chaser Vulrory and hurdler Paidfor at Stratford on the penultimate day of the season.
Despite that encouraging start, Basil struggled during the early part of the 1970s, riding only eight winners over the next five seasons. His sole success for 1971/72 came on selling hurdler Greendown Paul at Worcester on December 15, 1971.
Despite that encouraging start, Basil struggled during the early part of the 1970s, riding only eight winners over the next five seasons. His sole success for 1971/72 came on selling hurdler Greendown Paul at Worcester on December 15, 1971.
His fortunes revived somewhat in the 1974/75 season when he rode seven winners, thanks to a link-up with Martock-based owner-trainer Toby Cobden. Basil won twice on Cobden’s juvenile hurdler Tsuru and landed an Easter Monday double at Newton Abbot on Santiago and Rio.
His fortunes revived somewhat in the 1974/75 season when he rode seven winners, thanks to a link-up with Martock-based owner-trainer Toby Cobden. Basil won twice on Cobden’s juvenile hurdler Tsuru and landed an Easter Monday double at Newton Abbot on Santiago and Rio.
The following season he rode five winners, four of them for Cobden, comprising two on Rio, Wincanton’s “Put Mustard on It” Handicap Hurdle on Tsuru on January 15, 1976, and a Taunton novices’ chase a fortnight later on 15/8 favourite Sea Drake. However, for some reason their arrangement appears to have come to an end the following month.
The following season he rode five winners, four of them for Cobden, comprising two on Rio, Wincanton’s “Put Mustard on It” Handicap Hurdle on Tsuru on January 15, 1976, and a Taunton novices’ chase a fortnight later on 15/8 favourite Sea Drake. However, for some reason their arrangement appears to have come to an end the following month.
Basil's final winner was Tudor Maestro in the Roadmen's Handicap Hurdle at Taunton on 5 January 1978.
Basil's final winner was Tudor Maestro in the Roadmen's Handicap Hurdle at Taunton on 5 January 1978.