Roy Jones
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
National Hunt jockey Roy William Jones was born in Rhyl on June 5, 1934 and learned to ride at his local riding school when eight years old. On leaving school he became apprenticed to Snowy Parker at Epsom.
National Hunt jockey Roy William Jones was born in Rhyl on June 5, 1934 and learned to ride at his local riding school when eight years old. On leaving school he became apprenticed to Snowy Parker at Epsom.
He then did his National Service in the King’s Troop RHA before resuming his racing career, riding his first winner on handicap chaser Boys Hurrah, trained by ex-jockey Eric Foley at Mablethorpe, at Market Rasen on Boxing Day 1960. He then won two more races in succession on Boys Hurrah, at Warwick on February 6, 1961 and at Leicester eight days later.
He then did his National Service in the King’s Troop RHA before resuming his racing career, riding his first winner on handicap chaser Boys Hurrah, trained by ex-jockey Eric Foley at Mablethorpe, at Market Rasen on Boxing Day 1960. He then won two more races in succession on Boys Hurrah, at Warwick on February 6, 1961 and at Leicester eight days later.
The following season, 1961/62, he joined Arthur Jones, who trained at Oswestry, not far from the Welsh border. He rode six winners that season, beginning with Jones’ handicap hurdler Krakawin at Liverpool on the last day of November. He won again on Krakawin at Nottingham on December 5 and at Windsor, his first ride at that figure-of-eight course, on February 3, 1962. He also won on Jones’ selling hurdler Starstrewn at Wolverhampton on January 22.
The following season, 1961/62, he joined Arthur Jones, who trained at Oswestry, not far from the Welsh border. He rode six winners that season, beginning with Jones’ handicap hurdler Krakawin at Liverpool on the last day of November. He won again on Krakawin at Nottingham on December 5 and at Windsor, his first ride at that figure-of-eight course, on February 3, 1962. He also won on Jones’ selling hurdler Starstrewn at Wolverhampton on January 22.
His other wins that season came on a chestnut hurdler named Young Tosh, dead-heating at Haydock on March 9 and then winning outright at Uttoxeter on March 24. Young Tosh had been bought by horse-loving Carnforth farmer Albert Hall for just £75, Hall having then taken out a permit to train him, winning three times during that 1961/62 campaign.
His other wins that season came on a chestnut hurdler named Young Tosh, dead-heating at Haydock on March 9 and then winning outright at Uttoxeter on March 24. Young Tosh had been bought by horse-loving Carnforth farmer Albert Hall for just £75, Hall having then taken out a permit to train him, winning three times during that 1961/62 campaign.
Ironically, the best horse Roy rode during his career was one on which he didn’t win, former Champion Hurdle winner Merry Deal. Roy rode him twice in 1961/62, finishing second, beaten a neck, in the Liverpool Hurdle on Grand National day 1962, and third in the White Hart Challenge Cup at Uttoxeter in April.
Ironically, the best horse Roy rode during his career was one on which he didn’t win, former Champion Hurdle winner Merry Deal. Roy rode him twice in 1961/62, finishing second, beaten a neck, in the Liverpool Hurdle on Grand National day 1962, and third in the White Hart Challenge Cup at Uttoxeter in April.
He rode Merry Deal just once more, when finishing seventh in a field of 22 for the Tote Investors Cup Handicap Hurdle at Sandown in December 1962. He only rode two winners that season, one of which was a spare ride on selling hurdler Intermittent at Uttoxeter on Easter Monday 1963.
He rode Merry Deal just once more, when finishing seventh in a field of 22 for the Tote Investors Cup Handicap Hurdle at Sandown in December 1962. He only rode two winners that season, one of which was a spare ride on selling hurdler Intermittent at Uttoxeter on Easter Monday 1963.
It was a similar story for the next two seasons, riding the occasional winner, although he did experience the thrill of riding in the 1965 Grand National. Unfortunately, his participation didn’t last long, for his mount, 100-1 outsider Solonace, trained by Bill Clay, was badly baulked and refused on the first circuit – some sources say at Becher’s, others at the Canal Turn.
It was a similar story for the next two seasons, riding the occasional winner, although he did experience the thrill of riding in the 1965 Grand National. Unfortunately, his participation didn’t last long, for his mount, 100-1 outsider Solonace, trained by Bill Clay, was badly baulked and refused on the first circuit – some sources say at Becher’s, others at the Canal Turn.
Earlier that season, on December 10, 1964, Roy had maintained his 100 per cent record at Windsor, winning a hurdle race there on Sine Die only his second ride at the track, the other having been Krakawin three years earlier. Six days later he rode his only other winner of that season, on 25-1 outsider Sunset Lodge at Plumpton for Folkestone trainer Ted Long.
Earlier that season, on December 10, 1964, Roy had maintained his 100 per cent record at Windsor, winning a hurdle race there on Sine Die only his second ride at the track, the other having been Krakawin three years earlier. Six days later he rode his only other winner of that season, on 25-1 outsider Sunset Lodge at Plumpton for Folkestone trainer Ted Long.
He had just one more, also for Ted Long, on Heather Song in a Folkestone selling chase on September 27, 1965. He continued until the end of the following season before hanging up his boots and saddle, having ridden a total of 18 winners.
He had just one more, also for Ted Long, on Heather Song in a Folkestone selling chase on September 27, 1965. He continued until the end of the following season before hanging up his boots and saddle, having ridden a total of 18 winners.