Jim Kirby
Jim first appeared on a racecourse on Tuesday November 22, 1921, when partnering Lady Norah in the Bourton Two-Year-Old selling Plate at Warwick.
Jim first appeared on a racecourse on Tuesday November 22, 1921, when partnering Lady Norah in the Bourton Two-Year-Old selling Plate at Warwick.
The end of his career was signalled in 1950 when he found rides, let alone winners, hard to come by: he sat on less than a dozen horses that season.
The end of his career was signalled in 1950 when he found rides, let alone winners, hard to come by: he sat on less than a dozen horses that season.
It was all over by 1953. On Wednesday, 13 May, Jim weighed out for the last time, his final mount being the Tom Rimell-trained Boreas in the Badminton Plate at Bath.
It was all over by 1953. On Wednesday, 13 May, Jim weighed out for the last time, his final mount being the Tom Rimell-trained Boreas in the Badminton Plate at Bath.
Jim, born in Coventry in 1905, left school aged 14 and, in February 1919, was sent by his parents to Lambourn to work for trainer Sir Charles Nugent.
Jim, born in Coventry in 1905, left school aged 14 and, in February 1919, was sent by his parents to Lambourn to work for trainer Sir Charles Nugent.
He dutifully served his apprenticeship with Sir Charles but the elusive first winner was not ridden until 1924.
He dutifully served his apprenticeship with Sir Charles but the elusive first winner was not ridden until 1924.
This came on Mafoota at Windsor, on Friday August 15. It was just his fifth ride of the season.
This came on Mafoota at Windsor, on Friday August 15. It was just his fifth ride of the season.
The following year, 1925, was Jim's last in which he could claim his allowance: he made the most of it by riding 32 winners. This was the season in which he also finished third in the Cambridgeshire on Blue Pete behind Masked Marvel and Pons Asinorum. Jim had already won that day, taking the second race, The Houghton Handicap Plate, on Treasurer.
The following year, 1925, was Jim's last in which he could claim his allowance: he made the most of it by riding 32 winners. This was the season in which he also finished third in the Cambridgeshire on Blue Pete behind Masked Marvel and Pons Asinorum. Jim had already won that day, taking the second race, The Houghton Handicap Plate, on Treasurer.
Noting his successes, The Scotsman Newspaper dubbed him the 'Find Of The Year'.
Noting his successes, The Scotsman Newspaper dubbed him the 'Find Of The Year'.
Jim remained with Sir Charles during 1926 but, like so many other young hopefuls having lost their claim, found rides harder to come by. Nevertheless, he still secured rides in both the 1,000 Guineas(Glen Rosa, unplaced) and The Derby (Le Gros, unplaced).
Jim remained with Sir Charles during 1926 but, like so many other young hopefuls having lost their claim, found rides harder to come by. Nevertheless, he still secured rides in both the 1,000 Guineas(Glen Rosa, unplaced) and The Derby (Le Gros, unplaced).
He continued to struggle throughout 1926 and, in 1927, made the decision to try his luck up north. It was a good move. Riding for Malton trainer Captain Charles Elsey, he rode 28 winners and thus temporarily revived his fortunes.
He continued to struggle throughout 1926 and, in 1927, made the decision to try his luck up north. It was a good move. Riding for Malton trainer Captain Charles Elsey, he rode 28 winners and thus temporarily revived his fortunes.
By now Jim had met his future wife, Muriel 'Bumpty' Bracey in Lambourn and - failing to persuade her to move away from her home village - moved back down south.
By now Jim had met his future wife, Muriel 'Bumpty' Bracey in Lambourn and - failing to persuade her to move away from her home village - moved back down south.
In 1928 Jim was retained by Epsom actor-trainer Tom Walls, but again his winning tally dropped. That was the way of things for the next few years, although one highlight occurred at Newbury on 25 June, 1930, when Jim, riding Ruby's Love, beat the Tommy Lowery-ridden Walloon, to win the last ever run-off (decider) after a dead-heat in the UK.
In 1928 Jim was retained by Epsom actor-trainer Tom Walls, but again his winning tally dropped. That was the way of things for the next few years, although one highlight occurred at Newbury on 25 June, 1930, when Jim, riding Ruby's Love, beat the Tommy Lowery-ridden Walloon, to win the last ever run-off (decider) after a dead-heat in the UK.
With two young children to support, Jim needed to revive his career again, and did so successfully in Denmark in 1934 and 1935. He rode a number of winners there, but was disqualified from first place in the 1934 Danish Derby. Newspaper reports confirm that Jim took the second horse across the course and there was little doubt about the outcome of the enquiry.
With two young children to support, Jim needed to revive his career again, and did so successfully in Denmark in 1934 and 1935. He rode a number of winners there, but was disqualified from first place in the 1934 Danish Derby. Newspaper reports confirm that Jim took the second horse across the course and there was little doubt about the outcome of the enquiry.
On returning to England in 1936, Jim rode for Sir Charles Nugent's son, Sir Hugh.
On returning to England in 1936, Jim rode for Sir Charles Nugent's son, Sir Hugh.
He rode a few winners each season until the end of the war and had his final success in 1947.
He rode a few winners each season until the end of the war and had his final success in 1947.
After finally retiring from the saddle in 1953, Jim became a work rider and travelling head lad for Tom Rimell in Lambourn until leaving racing in 1960.
After finally retiring from the saddle in 1953, Jim became a work rider and travelling head lad for Tom Rimell in Lambourn until leaving racing in 1960.
Jim Kirby died in 1978.
Jim Kirby died in 1978.
Jim's daughter, Ann, married Tommy Turley, who was travelling head lad for Fulke Walwyn for many years, and a familiar figure on southern racetracks.
Jim's daughter, Ann, married Tommy Turley, who was travelling head lad for Fulke Walwyn for many years, and a familiar figure on southern racetracks.
NOTE: I am extremely grateful to John Turley, son of Tommy, who kindly donated much of the above information.
NOTE: I am extremely grateful to John Turley, son of Tommy, who kindly donated much of the above information.