John Jackson
1768 - 1839
1768 - 1839
Jackson began his racing career as an apprentice in the Yorkshire stables of Mr Burdon, situated at Stainton-in- Cleveland. Later he became involved with the Middleham trainer John Mangle.
Jackson began his racing career as an apprentice in the Yorkshire stables of Mr Burdon, situated at Stainton-in- Cleveland. Later he became involved with the Middleham trainer John Mangle.
Thoroughly reliable, he was able to ride at 7 stone 7 pounds and, though not the most powerful of jockeys, still became the leading Northern rider for many years, eventually winning eight Classics.
Thoroughly reliable, he was able to ride at 7 stone 7 pounds and, though not the most powerful of jockeys, still became the leading Northern rider for many years, eventually winning eight Classics.
He won the 1813 St Leger on Altisidora, owned by R Watt and trained by T. Sykes. Jackson and Sykes hated each other and when Jackson was sacked as Watt’s stable jockey, Jackson blamed Sykes for losing him the job. He became increasingly quarrelsome and turned to the bottle. One night, after a heavy drinking session at Catterick Bridge, he stepped outside the inn to fight Sykes. So drunk was Jackson that he mistakenly lashed out at an unfortunate chimney sweep on his way to work.
He won the 1813 St Leger on Altisidora, owned by R Watt and trained by T. Sykes. Jackson and Sykes hated each other and when Jackson was sacked as Watt’s stable jockey, Jackson blamed Sykes for losing him the job. He became increasingly quarrelsome and turned to the bottle. One night, after a heavy drinking session at Catterick Bridge, he stepped outside the inn to fight Sykes. So drunk was Jackson that he mistakenly lashed out at an unfortunate chimney sweep on his way to work.
No longer employable, he retired in 1823, first buying the Racecourse Farm at Allerton before becoming the Landlord of the Black Swan Inn in that town. His generosity to his friends as host left him with little money towards the end of his life. He died, virtually penniless, in Allerton on 5th August 1839, aged 70
No longer employable, he retired in 1823, first buying the Racecourse Farm at Allerton before becoming the Landlord of the Black Swan Inn in that town. His generosity to his friends as host left him with little money towards the end of his life. He died, virtually penniless, in Allerton on 5th August 1839, aged 70
Jackson’s eight classic wins – all of them in the St Leger - were:
Jackson’s eight classic wins – all of them in the St Leger - were:
Young Traveller (1791), Beningborough (1794), Ambrosio (1796), Symmetry (1798), Staveley (1805), Altisidora (1813), Filho da Puta (1815) and Theodore (1822).
Young Traveller (1791), Beningborough (1794), Ambrosio (1796), Symmetry (1798), Staveley (1805), Altisidora (1813), Filho da Puta (1815) and Theodore (1822).
Jackson was the father of 12 children.
Jackson was the father of 12 children.