Brian Jago

Londoner Brian Jago, born on November 21, 1938, worked as a pageboy at a London hotel before becoming apprenticed for eight years to Victor Smyth.

His career was dogged by injuries. He broke the same leg twice in twelve months, he endured a broken pelvis and broken hand, yet despite his many spells on the sidelines he still captured a few decent prizes including the Liverpool Spring Cup, the Newbury Spring Cup, the Champagne Stakes and the November Handicap.

Perhaps his greatest win came aboard Tom Cribb in the 1973 Northumberland Plate.

Recalling the race Brian said: "Tom Cribb was a savage. If he was crowded out, he'd think nothing of grabbing another horse or a jockey for that matter.

"Though he was only tiny, he carried some big weights. He had plenty of ability but he was a dirty little devil."

Like many pilots of his era, Jago often found himself 'jocked' off by Lester Piggott and the 'Long Fellow' eventually secured the ride on Tom Cribb when injury dealt its cruel hand of fate.

"I got badly smashed up in a fall at Sandown in 1974 and the owners asked Lester to ride him at Ascot.

While I was laid up in hospital Lester phoned me to find out all about the horse and I told him everything he needed to know - needless to say they won."

Brian once owned a house in Albert Road, Epsom, and many a fellow rider would stay overnight before going on to the racecourse the next morning. The main attraction was the sauna that Brian had installed.

Pat Eddery stayed the night before winning the Derby on Grundy. So, too, three years later, did Greville Starkey before winning on Shirley Heights. Walter Swinburn stayed the year he won on Shergar and Steve Cauthen stayed on a couple of occasions.

Brian eventually sold the house and moved to Cheam.

Brian enjoyed a late renaissance in the early 1980's when stable jockey to Pat Haslam at Newmarket. The contract was not renewed in 1983, but not before Brian had built a considerable reputation as the selling race specialist.

Brian's best season came in 1958, with 32 winners.

Brian once spent six years riding in Nairobi. He also won in South Africa, Kenya and Singapore.

Once retired, he embarked on a new career building house extensions and conservatories.

Eventually he lost touch with his weighing-room contemporaries.

Big winners

1957: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Rose Petal

1958: Brighton Cup – Illinois

1958: Brighton Handicap – Maddalo

1959: Zetland Gold Cup – Maddalo

1970: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Pulchra

1971: Great Jubilee Handicap – Welsh Rarebit

1973: Northumberland Plate – Tom Cribb

1973: Old Newton Cup – Private Walk