Davy Jones
1907 - 1992
1907 - 1992
David Lewis Jones was born on April 17, 1907, at Llanelli, the son of a haulage contractor Thomas Jones. Davy was the youngest of four sons.
David Lewis Jones was born on April 17, 1907, at Llanelli, the son of a haulage contractor Thomas Jones. Davy was the youngest of four sons.
His family had no racing background but, as a haulier, his father kept shire horses which caught young Davy's attention.
His family had no racing background but, as a haulier, his father kept shire horses which caught young Davy's attention.
His first ride, however, was on the local butcher's pony which he used to trot around his school's playground.
His first ride, however, was on the local butcher's pony which he used to trot around his school's playground.
His uncle was the Dean of Wrexham, and the Jones family held hopes that Davy might follow him into the church as a clergyman.
His uncle was the Dean of Wrexham, and the Jones family held hopes that Davy might follow him into the church as a clergyman.
It was not to be.
It was not to be.
Irrepressible Davy, a small, well-built Peter Pan of unmistakably Welsh extraction, instead became apprenticed to Pembrokeshire-born Ben Roberts at Cheltenham, but was so light that, after riding with considerable success over obstacles, he turned to the Flat where he became one of the most consistent of the second echelon jockeys for many years.
Irrepressible Davy, a small, well-built Peter Pan of unmistakably Welsh extraction, instead became apprenticed to Pembrokeshire-born Ben Roberts at Cheltenham, but was so light that, after riding with considerable success over obstacles, he turned to the Flat where he became one of the most consistent of the second echelon jockeys for many years.
His first winner was Ridgeway at Worcester on Thursday 29 October, 1925.
His first winner was Ridgeway at Worcester on Thursday 29 October, 1925.
In 1927, he made his first trip abroad to India: in the following years he rode winners in America, South Africa, Denmark, France, Belgium and Ireland.
In 1927, he made his first trip abroad to India: in the following years he rode winners in America, South Africa, Denmark, France, Belgium and Ireland.
(In 1970, when aged 63, he rode the winner of the Kenya Derby, Verre Dore. The racing correspondent of the Kenyan Standard wrote: 'Davy Jones rides with the strength and dash of a man half his age.')
(In 1970, when aged 63, he rode the winner of the Kenya Derby, Verre Dore. The racing correspondent of the Kenyan Standard wrote: 'Davy Jones rides with the strength and dash of a man half his age.')
In 1938, he achieved the uncommon distinction of riding over fences, hurdles and on the Flat on the first day of Liverpool's mixed meeting in November.
In 1938, he achieved the uncommon distinction of riding over fences, hurdles and on the Flat on the first day of Liverpool's mixed meeting in November.
Oddly, he acquired the ability to scream like an enraged stallion. This talent was put to good use in the big fields so prevalent of the day. The starter would call out "All right, jockeys. Triers to the front, non-triers behind."
Oddly, he acquired the ability to scream like an enraged stallion. This talent was put to good use in the big fields so prevalent of the day. The starter would call out "All right, jockeys. Triers to the front, non-triers behind."
Davy, with his terrifying shriek, would come charging from behind as he tapes rose.
Davy, with his terrifying shriek, would come charging from behind as he tapes rose.
"It was wonderful," he recalled later. "The other jockeys were so petrified that they parted for me just like the waters of the Red Sea."
"It was wonderful," he recalled later. "The other jockeys were so petrified that they parted for me just like the waters of the Red Sea."
Davy had an infectious smile and terrific sense of humour. Once, having trailed in last on a useless two-year-old belonging to Colonel Peter Marsh - Britain's leading manufacturer of sausages - Davy quipped to the trainer "His owner will know how to place him better than you will!"
Davy had an infectious smile and terrific sense of humour. Once, having trailed in last on a useless two-year-old belonging to Colonel Peter Marsh - Britain's leading manufacturer of sausages - Davy quipped to the trainer "His owner will know how to place him better than you will!"
When jump racing resumed in January 1945 after a long wartime break, an enormous crowd turned up on a Saturday in March to see the first Cheltenham Gold Cup since 1942. That year, Red Rower had finished second; consequently it was made favourite to win the 1945 event.
When jump racing resumed in January 1945 after a long wartime break, an enormous crowd turned up on a Saturday in March to see the first Cheltenham Gold Cup since 1942. That year, Red Rower had finished second; consequently it was made favourite to win the 1945 event.
The weather was great and there were sixteen runners, a record for the Gold Cup.
The weather was great and there were sixteen runners, a record for the Gold Cup.
Schubert, ridden by Cliff Beechener, led throughout, closely attended by Paladin.
Schubert, ridden by Cliff Beechener, led throughout, closely attended by Paladin.
Red Rower, on which Davy had put up no less than three stone deadweight, was jumping poorly. He was overhauled after the ditch on the hill by old Poet Prince who was going really well until suddenly his wind trouble asserted itself and he dropped back tamely.
Red Rower, on which Davy had put up no less than three stone deadweight, was jumping poorly. He was overhauled after the ditch on the hill by old Poet Prince who was going really well until suddenly his wind trouble asserted itself and he dropped back tamely.
Schubert and Paladin jumped the last together but Davy, timing his challenge to perfection, jumped past them and, using his Flat expertise, drove Red Rower out for a three-length victory.
Schubert and Paladin jumped the last together but Davy, timing his challenge to perfection, jumped past them and, using his Flat expertise, drove Red Rower out for a three-length victory.
Big winners
Big winners
1945: Cheltenham Gold Cup – Red Rower
1945: Cheltenham Gold Cup – Red Rower
1949: Newbury Spring Cup – Coalition
1949: Newbury Spring Cup – Coalition
1953: Welsh Stewards Cup – Libator
1953: Welsh Stewards Cup – Libator
1954: Old Newton Cup – Penitent
1954: Old Newton Cup – Penitent
On Wednesday, November 17, 1937, he rode a brilliant treble at Cheltenham.
On Wednesday, November 17, 1937, he rode a brilliant treble at Cheltenham.
After the war, Davy concentrated solely on the Flat, his best season coming in 1949 with 55 winners. He won that year's Newbury Spring Cup on Penitent. Also that season he completed a four-timer at Hamilton, a feat he was to repeat nine years' later when winning on his only four rides of the day at Chepstow.
After the war, Davy concentrated solely on the Flat, his best season coming in 1949 with 55 winners. He won that year's Newbury Spring Cup on Penitent. Also that season he completed a four-timer at Hamilton, a feat he was to repeat nine years' later when winning on his only four rides of the day at Chepstow.
His riding weight was 7 st. 12 lb.
His riding weight was 7 st. 12 lb.
At this time, he lived at Ridgeway (named after his first winner), Welland Lodge Road, Cheltenham.
At this time, he lived at Ridgeway (named after his first winner), Welland Lodge Road, Cheltenham.
Later, he became one of the few jockeys to have ridden in both the Grand National and the Derby.
Later, he became one of the few jockeys to have ridden in both the Grand National and the Derby.
On Friday, October 24, 1947, at Doncaster, Resistance (Davy Jones) & Phantom Bridge (Willie Nevett) ran the first dead-heat to be shown on the camera since its inception in Britain.
On Friday, October 24, 1947, at Doncaster, Resistance (Davy Jones) & Phantom Bridge (Willie Nevett) ran the first dead-heat to be shown on the camera since its inception in Britain.
After quitting the saddle, he ran a school for young jockeys in Nairobi before returning to Cheltenham to ride work each morning (aged 80!).
After quitting the saddle, he ran a school for young jockeys in Nairobi before returning to Cheltenham to ride work each morning (aged 80!).
Davy had three sons, two of whom became jockeys. In August 1959, at Salisbury, his son Michael won the 2 o'clock race - Davy won the 2.30.
Davy had three sons, two of whom became jockeys. In August 1959, at Salisbury, his son Michael won the 2 o'clock race - Davy won the 2.30.
Davy's elder brother, Harry, won the Welsh paper-weight and fly-weight championship of Wales: Davy - no mean boxer himself - won a cup in the Stable Lads' Tournament at the National Sporting Club.
Davy's elder brother, Harry, won the Welsh paper-weight and fly-weight championship of Wales: Davy - no mean boxer himself - won a cup in the Stable Lads' Tournament at the National Sporting Club.
Davy's son, Buck Jones, was also a more than useful jockey.
Davy's son, Buck Jones, was also a more than useful jockey.
After a full and interesting life, Davy Jones died on March 1, 1992, aged 84.
After a full and interesting life, Davy Jones died on March 1, 1992, aged 84.
Davy Jones
Davy Jones