Tommy James
National Hunt jockey Thomas Herbert James rode a total of 58 winners over jumps between 1922 and 1933. He enjoyed his most successful season in 1928/29 with 13 wins.
National Hunt jockey Thomas Herbert James rode a total of 58 winners over jumps between 1922 and 1933. He enjoyed his most successful season in 1928/29 with 13 wins.
He had his first ride under NH rules on Rickney in the Henley Selling Handicap Hurdle at Shirley Park on February 20, 1922, finishing unplaced. Shirley Park was also the venue for his first winner later that year, aboard 5-1 chance Madrigal in the Monkspath Hurdle on September 11, 1922.
He had his first ride under NH rules on Rickney in the Henley Selling Handicap Hurdle at Shirley Park on February 20, 1922, finishing unplaced. Shirley Park was also the venue for his first winner later that year, aboard 5-1 chance Madrigal in the Monkspath Hurdle on September 11, 1922.
Tommy rode in two Grand Nationals, falling on the second circuit on 66-1 longshot Gardenrath in 1925 and also falling on 200-1 rank outsider Sultan Of Wicken in 1929. He finished second in the 1929 Stanley Chase over the Aintree fences on April Fool.
Tommy rode in two Grand Nationals, falling on the second circuit on 66-1 longshot Gardenrath in 1925 and also falling on 200-1 rank outsider Sultan Of Wicken in 1929. He finished second in the 1929 Stanley Chase over the Aintree fences on April Fool.
His rode his last winner on Gobelin, trained by John Goldsmith, in the Barnham Selling Chase at Fontwell Park on October 10, 1933.
His rode his last winner on Gobelin, trained by John Goldsmith, in the Barnham Selling Chase at Fontwell Park on October 10, 1933.
Tommy’s final rides in public came in eventful fashion at Rugby Hunt on March 14, 1934. He rode Sisterari in the first race on the card, the Coronation Chase, but the horse ran out. Having come to no harm, Tommy rode him again later that afternoon in the Dunsmore Chase. This time Sisterari fell. Whether that fall brought Tommy’s career to a premature end, or whether he decided to retire on his own terms, is not known, but it is doubtful he would have been keen to be reunited with the wayward Sisterari.
Tommy’s final rides in public came in eventful fashion at Rugby Hunt on March 14, 1934. He rode Sisterari in the first race on the card, the Coronation Chase, but the horse ran out. Having come to no harm, Tommy rode him again later that afternoon in the Dunsmore Chase. This time Sisterari fell. Whether that fall brought Tommy’s career to a premature end, or whether he decided to retire on his own terms, is not known, but it is doubtful he would have been keen to be reunited with the wayward Sisterari.