Reginald Jones

Reginald Jones

1879 - 1915

Article by Alan Trout

Born in Epsom in 1879, Reginald John Jones was the elder brother of dual Derby-winning jockey Herbert Jones (1880-1951). Although far less successful than Herbert, Reginald did have two minor claims to fame.

He became apprenticed to Richard Marsh and rode his first winner on Theseus, trained by Marsh, in the Albert Handicap at Gatwick on April 12, 1894. Progress was slow, and after ten years in the saddle he had amassed only seven wins. One of them was rather special though, for he won the first race of the 1896 season when Wise Bob landed the Trial Stakes at Lincoln on March 23, the victory being made sweeter by brother Herbert finishing unplaced.

Herbert had much the better of the argument when the brothers both rode for the Prince of Wales in the 1900 Derby, with Herbert winning on Diamond Jubilee while Reginald trailed in last but one of the 14-strong field on Frontignan.

This was during a period between 1899 and 1903 when Reginald rode no winners at all. He did pass the post first on September 17, 1901 when Slipper scored in the Emscote Two-Year-Old Plate at Warwick, but the following morning an objection was raised that Slipper was not eligible to run. The objection was upheld and Slipper was disqualified.

The year 1904 saw an upswing in his fortunes with a best-ever total of eight wins, including Whistling Crow in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock on July 9. He rode six winners in 1905, which included a double at Brighton on June 16 aboard an unnamed filly by Loved One out of Totality in the Ditchling Two-Year-Old Selling Stakes and Neyland in the Brighton Handicap.

He managed a few wins each season until 1910 when he had none. However, his final year, 1911, proved rather better. On June 27 he won the Bottisham Plate at Newmarket on the 2-1 favourite Dorando. The trainer was Richard Marsh and the owner was King George V, enjoying his first success in that role, having acceded to the throne on the death of King Edward VII the previous year.

Reginald followed that with a half-length success on Lousby in the Elvaston Maiden Plate at Nottingham on July 3. His third and final win was a three-length victory on Orpiment, owned by Lord Howard de Walden, in the Oak Tree Handicap at Lingfield Park on July 7, 1911.

The rest of that summer did not go so smoothly. Twice he finished second in a two-horse race – one a match, the other the deciding run-off race after a dead-heat – and each time he objected to the winner. Both times the result stood, but at least the deposit money was returned, indicating that the objection was not considered frivolous.

He had his last ride on Mr J. J. King’s Licensed Victualler in the City Welter Handicap at Worcester on October 27, 1911. He rode 37 winners in all during his career, and unlike many of his contemporaries, he could claim that he had ridden for three Kings.

Reginald Jones died at the Cherry Tree Inn at Newmarket on March 27, 1915, aged 36. He was the owner of the pub at that time and was buried in Newmarket Cemetery. He left a widow and several children.

Another brother, Jack, died a month later.