Joe Butler Jones
The following article is by Brian Lee, author of the book 'Welsh Steeplechase Jockeys', published in 1993.
The following article is by Brian Lee, author of the book 'Welsh Steeplechase Jockeys', published in 1993.
One gentleman rider who certainly held up the sporting tradition of the Cardiff area was Joseph Butler Jones, known on the racecourse as 'Joe the Crwys'.
One gentleman rider who certainly held up the sporting tradition of the Cardiff area was Joseph Butler Jones, known on the racecourse as 'Joe the Crwys'.
He was the son of Thomas Jones, who ran a bakery in St John's Square, Cardiff.
He was the son of Thomas Jones, who ran a bakery in St John's Square, Cardiff.
As a young lad, Joe had taken a keen interest in horses and racing, and, when he took over Crwys Farm, he was able to put his knowledge and skills to good use.
As a young lad, Joe had taken a keen interest in horses and racing, and, when he took over Crwys Farm, he was able to put his knowledge and skills to good use.
He had many notable successes in his teens over the old course at Heath and, later, at Ely racecourse, which closed in 1939.
He had many notable successes in his teens over the old course at Heath and, later, at Ely racecourse, which closed in 1939.
In 1865, Joe enjoyed a great day at Chepstow when the course was situated at the old Oakgrove, St Arvans (not its present-day site at Piercefield Park).
In 1865, Joe enjoyed a great day at Chepstow when the course was situated at the old Oakgrove, St Arvans (not its present-day site at Piercefield Park).
He won all four races on the card, beginning with the grey Cabin Boy in the four-mile Open Hunt Steeplechase.
He won all four races on the card, beginning with the grey Cabin Boy in the four-mile Open Hunt Steeplechase.
Cabin Boy belonged to his uncle, Richard Thomas: Joe later owned the horse himself.
Cabin Boy belonged to his uncle, Richard Thomas: Joe later owned the horse himself.
Next, riding Father Pat for Mr E. M. Currie, he won the three-mile Hunt Steeplechase but, in doing so, had to survive an objection for going the wrong side of a flag.
Next, riding Father Pat for Mr E. M. Currie, he won the three-mile Hunt Steeplechase but, in doing so, had to survive an objection for going the wrong side of a flag.
Cabin Boy was then brought out again to win the two-mile Farmers' Hunt Steeplechase. Once again Joe had to survive an objection brought, this time, on the grounds that the owner had no land upon which the hounds hunted.
Cabin Boy was then brought out again to win the two-mile Farmers' Hunt Steeplechase. Once again Joe had to survive an objection brought, this time, on the grounds that the owner had no land upon which the hounds hunted.
Mr Thomas got round this by claiming he had land at Marshfield, near Cardiff.
Mr Thomas got round this by claiming he had land at Marshfield, near Cardiff.
Lastly, Joe took the two-mile Scurry on the appropriately named Quick Silver. He led throughout and, this time, no one dared raise an objection.
Lastly, Joe took the two-mile Scurry on the appropriately named Quick Silver. He led throughout and, this time, no one dared raise an objection.
The following season, running in Joe's own purple & black racing colours, Cabin Boy won the Cardiff Open Steeplechase at Ely racecourse.
The following season, running in Joe's own purple & black racing colours, Cabin Boy won the Cardiff Open Steeplechase at Ely racecourse.
He also won both the Ely Hurdle and the one-mile Hack Stakes on his chestnut Adrier, coming in for plenty of cheers on the second occasion.
He also won both the Ely Hurdle and the one-mile Hack Stakes on his chestnut Adrier, coming in for plenty of cheers on the second occasion.
Joe was on familiar terms with Lord Glanely and Colonel Henry Lewis of Greenmeadow who, at one time, owned the 1858 Grand National winner, Little Charlie.
Joe was on familiar terms with Lord Glanely and Colonel Henry Lewis of Greenmeadow who, at one time, owned the 1858 Grand National winner, Little Charlie.
During his career, Joe won a magnificent array of valuable trophies.
During his career, Joe won a magnificent array of valuable trophies.
He died, aged 80, at 19, Woodville Road (earlier known as Woodville Terrace), on 14 January, 1924.
He died, aged 80, at 19, Woodville Road (earlier known as Woodville Terrace), on 14 January, 1924.
Joe was buried at Cathays Cemetery, Cardiff.
Joe was buried at Cathays Cemetery, Cardiff.
It's sad to think that, over the years, hundreds of people must have read his name on his headstone and not realised who he was.
It's sad to think that, over the years, hundreds of people must have read his name on his headstone and not realised who he was.
There is nothing to indicate that he had been a well-known jockey.
There is nothing to indicate that he had been a well-known jockey.
And to think that in the 1940s I grew up just a few streets away from where he had once lived!
And to think that in the 1940s I grew up just a few streets away from where he had once lived!