John James
My thanks to Eddie Tait for suggesting this biography
My thanks to Eddie Tait for suggesting this biography
John 'Jinx' James, the son of a painter & decorator, was born at St Helens on September 2, 1947, and was a stable lad with Ryan Price.
John 'Jinx' James, the son of a painter & decorator, was born at St Helens on September 2, 1947, and was a stable lad with Ryan Price.
He used to 'do' Honey End but Ryan Price never gave him a single ride and, after leaving the stable, John took four years to ride his first winner; Moon Saint at Doncaster on November 2, 1972.
He used to 'do' Honey End but Ryan Price never gave him a single ride and, after leaving the stable, John took four years to ride his first winner; Moon Saint at Doncaster on November 2, 1972.
The highlight of his career was riding three trebles in a week in 1973.
The highlight of his career was riding three trebles in a week in 1973.
He was affectionately called a jinx by his mentor Ryan Price after missing out on several big winners including when he guided Anglo to a string of victories in the season before the horse was sold to be trained by Fred Winter and won the Grand National.
He was affectionately called a jinx by his mentor Ryan Price after missing out on several big winners including when he guided Anglo to a string of victories in the season before the horse was sold to be trained by Fred Winter and won the Grand National.
John also rode another National winner, Rag Trade, though not in the big race itself.
John also rode another National winner, Rag Trade, though not in the big race itself.
Although the nickname stuck, the jinx didn't and, since retiring from the saddle, John has carved out a successful career running Brookside Stud at Newmarket.
Although the nickname stuck, the jinx didn't and, since retiring from the saddle, John has carved out a successful career running Brookside Stud at Newmarket.
He also buys horses for longstanding friends and clients and had his good judgment vindicated when buying the filly Entangle for Norwegian trainer, Arnfinn Lund, for buttons.
He also buys horses for longstanding friends and clients and had his good judgment vindicated when buying the filly Entangle for Norwegian trainer, Arnfinn Lund, for buttons.
Entangle won fourteen races in Scandinavia before being sold as a broodmare prospect to Kern/Lillingston for 120,000 guineas.
Entangle won fourteen races in Scandinavia before being sold as a broodmare prospect to Kern/Lillingston for 120,000 guineas.
John came second to Jonjo O'Neil in the 1972-73 junior jockeys' title.
John came second to Jonjo O'Neil in the 1972-73 junior jockeys' title.