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John Kington
John Kington
John Kington rode as a professional jockey over jumps and won 91 races from 1,914 mounts in a career spanning more than 20 years.
John Kington rode as a professional jockey over jumps and won 91 races from 1,914 mounts in a career spanning more than 20 years.
He started out as an amateur and had his first ride when trailing in last of five finishers in an amateur riders’ novices’ handicap hurdle at Carlisle. He rode his first winner at the opposite end of the country on 9/4 favourite Caballe, trained by Michael Scudamore, in a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle at Plumpton on 14 February 2005.
He started out as an amateur and had his first ride when trailing in last of five finishers in an amateur riders’ novices’ handicap hurdle at Carlisle. He rode his first winner at the opposite end of the country on 9/4 favourite Caballe, trained by Michael Scudamore, in a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle at Plumpton on 14 February 2005.
He was not a regular visitor to the winner’s enclosure, never recording more than five winners in any of his last nine seasons. When he delivered a remarkable never-say-die ride on 66/1 outsider Lough Salt to touch off the strong-travelling Steel Wave on the line in a three-mile handicap chase at Doncaster on 10 February 2022 it was his first winner in 322 days, his first success from 61 rides that season.
He was not a regular visitor to the winner’s enclosure, never recording more than five winners in any of his last nine seasons. When he delivered a remarkable never-say-die ride on 66/1 outsider Lough Salt to touch off the strong-travelling Steel Wave on the line in a three-mile handicap chase at Doncaster on 10 February 2022 it was his first winner in 322 days, his first success from 61 rides that season.
John typified the journeyman jockey who would travel long distances for one mount, often a no-hoper, or maybe getting a couple of rides on a busy bank holiday weekend.
John typified the journeyman jockey who would travel long distances for one mount, often a no-hoper, or maybe getting a couple of rides on a busy bank holiday weekend.
His moments in the sun were few. One of them came in an ITV-televised race at Warwick on 13 January 2024 when J’Ai Froid, trained by Laura Morgan, landed a Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle qualifier, worth £15,609 to the winner.
His moments in the sun were few. One of them came in an ITV-televised race at Warwick on 13 January 2024 when J’Ai Froid, trained by Laura Morgan, landed a Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle qualifier, worth £15,609 to the winner.
He rode his last winner on Pozo Emery, also trained by Laura Morgan, in a Southwell handicap hurdle on 7 May 2024.
He rode his last winner on Pozo Emery, also trained by Laura Morgan, in a Southwell handicap hurdle on 7 May 2024.
He had his final ride at Market Rasen on 28 September 2024, finishing fourth on Ginger Pointe, trained by Danny Brooke, in the Lincoln Lager Handicap Chase.
He had his final ride at Market Rasen on 28 September 2024, finishing fourth on Ginger Pointe, trained by Danny Brooke, in the Lincoln Lager Handicap Chase.
After more than 20 years in the saddle he had had a fair few injuries during his career, so was glad to be finishing on his own terms.
After more than 20 years in the saddle he had had a fair few injuries during his career, so was glad to be finishing on his own terms.
His stated intention was to start work as a jockeys’ valet.
His stated intention was to start work as a jockeys’ valet.
John Kington & Henry Brooke riding out in Middleham.
Hereford-born John Kingston, 5ft 11ins., is a distant relative of the legendary Peter Scudamore.
Hereford-born John Kingston, 5ft 11ins., is a distant relative of the legendary Peter Scudamore.
He rode out his claim in 2018 when Julia Brookes's Ruaraidh Hugh became the 75th winner of his career.
He rode out his claim in 2018 when Julia Brookes's Ruaraidh Hugh became the 75th winner of his career.
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