Herbert Jones
1880 – 1951
1880 – 1951
Herbert Ebsworth Jones, born at Epsom on November 30, 1880, was the son of local jumping trainer Jack Jones. Apprenticed at the age of ten to Richard Marsh, he had his first winner – Good News – at the Newmarket Craven meeting on April 14th 1896.
Herbert Ebsworth Jones, born at Epsom on November 30, 1880, was the son of local jumping trainer Jack Jones. Apprenticed at the age of ten to Richard Marsh, he had his first winner – Good News – at the Newmarket Craven meeting on April 14th 1896.
When, in the spring of 1900, the King’s horse Diamond Jubilee savaged Mornington Cannon, it was decided to let Jones ride the horse with whom, on the gallops, he seemed to get on well. Jones and the temperamental Diamond Jubilee then astonished the racing world when landing the Triple Crown. His Derby win on Diamond Jubilee came with no thanks to Tod Sloan whose horse, Disguise ll, bumped him badly at Tattenham Corner, causing him to lose many lengths.
When, in the spring of 1900, the King’s horse Diamond Jubilee savaged Mornington Cannon, it was decided to let Jones ride the horse with whom, on the gallops, he seemed to get on well. Jones and the temperamental Diamond Jubilee then astonished the racing world when landing the Triple Crown. His Derby win on Diamond Jubilee came with no thanks to Tod Sloan whose horse, Disguise ll, bumped him badly at Tattenham Corner, causing him to lose many lengths.
When the royal jockey John Watts retired, Jones took his place. He won the Derby for King Edward in 1909 on Minoru and had a narrow escape from death when, in 1913, a suffragette – who threw herself in the path of Anmer, the King’s horse which Jones was riding – was killed. Jones was dragged down the course with a foot caught in the stirrups. He was unconscious when taken to the Jockeys’ Room and had to wait outside it as the door was too narrow to admit a stretcher. He was taken to Epsom Cottage Hospital where he remained overnight.
When the royal jockey John Watts retired, Jones took his place. He won the Derby for King Edward in 1909 on Minoru and had a narrow escape from death when, in 1913, a suffragette – who threw herself in the path of Anmer, the King’s horse which Jones was riding – was killed. Jones was dragged down the course with a foot caught in the stirrups. He was unconscious when taken to the Jockeys’ Room and had to wait outside it as the door was too narrow to admit a stretcher. He was taken to Epsom Cottage Hospital where he remained overnight.
This incident in no manner affected the outcome of the race for Anmer (named after a village on the Sandringham estate) had no chance. Jones stated later that he was convinced that the suffragette could not possibly have singled out one particular horse – it was sheer chance that the horse she brought down belonged to the King. Neither were many people convinced by suicide theories as, curiously, a part railway return ticket from Epsom to London was found in her pocket.
This incident in no manner affected the outcome of the race for Anmer (named after a village on the Sandringham estate) had no chance. Jones stated later that he was convinced that the suffragette could not possibly have singled out one particular horse – it was sheer chance that the horse she brought down belonged to the King. Neither were many people convinced by suicide theories as, curiously, a part railway return ticket from Epsom to London was found in her pocket.
In 1923, Jones rode his last winner, King George V’s Erne. Years earlier, King Edward had given Jones a silver-gilt watch inscribed “E.R.V11. 1902.” It was stolen when a burglar broke into his home in April 1930. On Tuesday 6th January 1931, ex-jockey Albert Edward Webster, aged 35, a bookmaker's clerk of no fixed abode, was committed for trial at Bow Street on a charge of burglary. Herbert Jones said that whilst visiting relatives in the Great West Road, Isleworth, his house at Trumpington, Cambridge, was broken into and jewellery valued at £150 was stolen from a bedroom drawer. Webster sold them for £14 9s to a gold refiner in Wardour Street.
In 1923, Jones rode his last winner, King George V’s Erne. Years earlier, King Edward had given Jones a silver-gilt watch inscribed “E.R.V11. 1902.” It was stolen when a burglar broke into his home in April 1930. On Tuesday 6th January 1931, ex-jockey Albert Edward Webster, aged 35, a bookmaker's clerk of no fixed abode, was committed for trial at Bow Street on a charge of burglary. Herbert Jones said that whilst visiting relatives in the Great West Road, Isleworth, his house at Trumpington, Cambridge, was broken into and jewellery valued at £150 was stolen from a bedroom drawer. Webster sold them for £14 9s to a gold refiner in Wardour Street.
When he called at the same shop to dispose of other property, he was arrested. Towards the end of his life, Herbert became deaf and suffered two strokes. Until his hearing began to fail, Herbert was a gregarious person, happy and contented. He took a close interest in local football & cricket and was a keen gardener.'
When he called at the same shop to dispose of other property, he was arrested. Towards the end of his life, Herbert became deaf and suffered two strokes. Until his hearing began to fail, Herbert was a gregarious person, happy and contented. He took a close interest in local football & cricket and was a keen gardener.'
Herbert Jones committed suicide at the age of 70. On July 17, 1951, his son discovered him lying on the floor of his gas-filled kitchen at his house in Girton.
Herbert Jones committed suicide at the age of 70. On July 17, 1951, his son discovered him lying on the floor of his gas-filled kitchen at his house in Girton.
He left £1,857.
He left £1,857.
Richard Marsh, his first trainer, once said of him ‘A better servant no man ever had, and a straighter or more honest jockey never got on a horse…’
Richard Marsh, his first trainer, once said of him ‘A better servant no man ever had, and a straighter or more honest jockey never got on a horse…’
As a six-year-old, Herbert took a pony belonging to his father for a spin across country and was given a beating upon his return.
As a six-year-old, Herbert took a pony belonging to his father for a spin across country and was given a beating upon his return.
Herbert was always somewhat accident-prone: his first attempt at motorcycling resulted in having four stitches in his ear. His earliest shooting experience resulted in a pellet hitting his head. He was knocked insensible in his first ever game of football and was hit by a cricket ball on more than one occasion.
Herbert was always somewhat accident-prone: his first attempt at motorcycling resulted in having four stitches in his ear. His earliest shooting experience resulted in a pellet hitting his head. He was knocked insensible in his first ever game of football and was hit by a cricket ball on more than one occasion.
In December, 1919, whilst skiing in Davos Dorf with Mr Harry Vernon (author of the play Mr Wu), Herbert had a narrow escape when an avalanche descended just a few feet in front of them, completely burying their sledge and driver. Following frantic efforts by the two Englishmen, the driver was pulled clear.
In December, 1919, whilst skiing in Davos Dorf with Mr Harry Vernon (author of the play Mr Wu), Herbert had a narrow escape when an avalanche descended just a few feet in front of them, completely burying their sledge and driver. Following frantic efforts by the two Englishmen, the driver was pulled clear.
Herbert's father won the 1878 Grand National on Shifnal.
Herbert's father won the 1878 Grand National on Shifnal.
Herbert Jones’s classic wins:
Herbert Jones’s classic wins:
Two Thousand Guineas: Diamond Jubilee (1900), Vedas (1905) Gorgos (1906) and Minoru (1909)
Two Thousand Guineas: Diamond Jubilee (1900), Vedas (1905) Gorgos (1906) and Minoru (1909)
The Derby: Diamond Jubilee (1900) and Minoru ((1909)
The Derby: Diamond Jubilee (1900) and Minoru ((1909)
The Oaks: Cherry Lass (1905)
The Oaks: Cherry Lass (1905)
St Leger: Diamond Jubilee (1900)
St Leger: Diamond Jubilee (1900)