Buck Jones
Born on June 27, 1942, Thomas Michael Jones, son of flat race jockey D Jones, acquired the nickname 'Buck' shortly after starting out as an apprentice at Sam Armstrong's Newmarket stable. Buck Jones was a popular cowboy character of the day.
Born on June 27, 1942, Thomas Michael Jones, son of flat race jockey D Jones, acquired the nickname 'Buck' shortly after starting out as an apprentice at Sam Armstrong's Newmarket stable. Buck Jones was a popular cowboy character of the day.
Other apprentice inmates under Armstrong's tutelage were Wally Swinburn and Josh Gifford, but not his two-year-older brother, Peter, also a fledgling jockey.
Other apprentice inmates under Armstrong's tutelage were Wally Swinburn and Josh Gifford, but not his two-year-older brother, Peter, also a fledgling jockey.
Buck's first winner came at Thirsk on 27 September 1958. Riding Doctor Bother under the name M. Jones, Buck won at 10/1.
Buck's first winner came at Thirsk on 27 September 1958. Riding Doctor Bother under the name M. Jones, Buck won at 10/1.
He had just one further winner on the flat before, having graduated from the Armstrong apprentice academy, moving on to Ryan Price's Findon yard. Such was the quality of jockeys riding for the Findon maestro that Buck managed just seven winners in three seasons.
He had just one further winner on the flat before, having graduated from the Armstrong apprentice academy, moving on to Ryan Price's Findon yard. Such was the quality of jockeys riding for the Findon maestro that Buck managed just seven winners in three seasons.
When Price lost his licence following the success of Rosyth in the 1964 Schweppes Gold Trophy, many of his horses were transferred to Epsom trainer Sid Dale, including Invader, on which Buck won the Imperial Cup, and What A Myth which, an hour later, Buck also rode to victory.
When Price lost his licence following the success of Rosyth in the 1964 Schweppes Gold Trophy, many of his horses were transferred to Epsom trainer Sid Dale, including Invader, on which Buck won the Imperial Cup, and What A Myth which, an hour later, Buck also rode to victory.
Buck led all the way on Invader and was eight lengths clear jumping the last.
Buck led all the way on Invader and was eight lengths clear jumping the last.
The horse was normally ridden by Josh Gifford: Tom got the ride after Gifford lost his licence.
The horse was normally ridden by Josh Gifford: Tom got the ride after Gifford lost his licence.
Tom had already won on Invader for Major Wigan at Newbury on February 28: consequently, he was booked to ride at Sandown.
Tom had already won on Invader for Major Wigan at Newbury on February 28: consequently, he was booked to ride at Sandown.
Felicitously, Tom was engaged to the girl who looked after Invader.
Felicitously, Tom was engaged to the girl who looked after Invader.
On Grand National Day, 1964, he rode a treble at Worcester, thus losing his 3 lb allowance.
On Grand National Day, 1964, he rode a treble at Worcester, thus losing his 3 lb allowance.
Riding sixteen winners in eight weeks, he was suddenly flavour of the month.
Riding sixteen winners in eight weeks, he was suddenly flavour of the month.
Buck's first ride in the Grand National was on Pontin-Go, who refused after completing a circuit.
Buck's first ride in the Grand National was on Pontin-Go, who refused after completing a circuit.
Early in 1966, Buck won a hurdle race at Cheltenham on 20-1 shot The Otter, trained by Major Richard Denning at Molecomb, near Goodwood.
Early in 1966, Buck won a hurdle race at Cheltenham on 20-1 shot The Otter, trained by Major Richard Denning at Molecomb, near Goodwood.
The Otter, racing in the 1970 National. was upsides eventual winner Gay Trip when falling at second Becher's.
The Otter, racing in the 1970 National. was upsides eventual winner Gay Trip when falling at second Becher's.
The next year, Buck and The Otter got as far as Valentine's.
The next year, Buck and The Otter got as far as Valentine's.
Their final assault on Aintree in 1972 again resulted in defeat, with The Otter digging his feet in and refusing to jump the open ditch on the second circuit.
Their final assault on Aintree in 1972 again resulted in defeat, with The Otter digging his feet in and refusing to jump the open ditch on the second circuit.
Buck was now living in the 85-acre Brook Farm, Albury, near Guildford, and - having ridden exactly 100 winners (two on the flat) - he combined riding with training until 1976 when he finally retired.
Buck was now living in the 85-acre Brook Farm, Albury, near Guildford, and - having ridden exactly 100 winners (two on the flat) - he combined riding with training until 1976 when he finally retired.
Tom enjoyed his best season in 1963-64 with 23 winners.
Tom enjoyed his best season in 1963-64 with 23 winners.
Tom & Marion married on June 29, 1968. She gave him a son, Michael & a daughter, Catherine.
Tom & Marion married on June 29, 1968. She gave him a son, Michael & a daughter, Catherine.
Away from the saddle, Tom enjoyed golf & swimming.
Away from the saddle, Tom enjoyed golf & swimming.
T.M. (Buck) Jones
T.M. (Buck) Jones
Big winners:
Big winners:
1964: Imperial Cup – Invader
1964: Imperial Cup – Invader
1964: Sandown Open Handicap Chase – What A Myth
1964: Sandown Open Handicap Chase – What A Myth
1971: Haydock Park National Trial Chase – The Otter
1971: Haydock Park National Trial Chase – The Otter