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1893 - 1924
1893 - 1924
James Ledson was born in Walton, near Liverpool and served his apprenticeship with Hugh Powney at Belsay, Northumberland. When Powney took over at Newmarket’s Moulton Paddocks, Ledson went with him. He rode for Sir Ernest Cassel and also held a retainer for S.B.Joel.
James Ledson was born in Walton, near Liverpool and served his apprenticeship with Hugh Powney at Belsay, Northumberland. When Powney took over at Newmarket’s Moulton Paddocks, Ledson went with him. He rode for Sir Ernest Cassel and also held a retainer for S.B.Joel.
He rode his first winner on Very Crooked at Newcastle on April 17, 1911.
He rode his first winner on Very Crooked at Newcastle on April 17, 1911.
Returning North, he enjoyed his best spell. He rode three winners of the Pitman’s Derby. Mynora (1912) was the first. The Guller (1914) and Carpathus (1923) were the others. The Guller also took him to success in the 1913 Chester Cup. He also won the 1914 Cumberland Plate on Wardha and that year's Great Yorkshire Handicap on Redwood.
Returning North, he enjoyed his best spell. He rode three winners of the Pitman’s Derby. Mynora (1912) was the first. The Guller (1914) and Carpathus (1923) were the others. The Guller also took him to success in the 1913 Chester Cup. He also won the 1914 Cumberland Plate on Wardha and that year's Great Yorkshire Handicap on Redwood.
His winning total of 43 in 1923 would undoubtedly have been more but for the suspension of his licence in October – riding Forerunner in the Edinburgh Gold Cup he finished first, but in doing so had crossed the runner-up Sun Charmer.
His winning total of 43 in 1923 would undoubtedly have been more but for the suspension of his licence in October – riding Forerunner in the Edinburgh Gold Cup he finished first, but in doing so had crossed the runner-up Sun Charmer.
His licence was restored to him the following May and he quickly notched up a further 31 winners.
His licence was restored to him the following May and he quickly notched up a further 31 winners.
He rode for the last time on 27th September 1924, finishing second on Dunin in the Frenchgate Handicap Plate at Catterick. Earlier that day, he rode his last winner, Mrs Bright's unnamed bay filly by Prospector out of Naughty Nancy.
He rode for the last time on 27th September 1924, finishing second on Dunin in the Frenchgate Handicap Plate at Catterick. Earlier that day, he rode his last winner, Mrs Bright's unnamed bay filly by Prospector out of Naughty Nancy.
On October 2, 1924, the Richmond-Darlington road, James crashed his motorbike into the rear of a stationary lorry. He had been travelling at 60 mph. James died within five minutes. He was just 30.
On October 2, 1924, the Richmond-Darlington road, James crashed his motorbike into the rear of a stationary lorry. He had been travelling at 60 mph. James died within five minutes. He was just 30.
At the inquest, Mr Yorke, of Darlington gave evidence that he was travelling towards Darlington when he pulled up in response to a lorry driver’s call and gave him information as to his direction. He was moving off when he saw the motor-cycle coming towards him at a pace. Immediately he heard a crash and got down and went towards the lorry. He saw Ledson, who he knew by sight, lying under the back of the lorry in a pool of blood, breathing heavily.
At the inquest, Mr Yorke, of Darlington gave evidence that he was travelling towards Darlington when he pulled up in response to a lorry driver’s call and gave him information as to his direction. He was moving off when he saw the motor-cycle coming towards him at a pace. Immediately he heard a crash and got down and went towards the lorry. He saw Ledson, who he knew by sight, lying under the back of the lorry in a pool of blood, breathing heavily.
The lorry driver stated that he had stopped to ask his way. He admitted that the lorry had no rear lights but pointed out that he had tied a light to the side of the lorry so that it would show a red light to the rear. The coroner said it was impossible to say whether the light was or wasn’t on the lorry – he gave the driver the benefit of the doubt and recorded a verdict of Accidental Death.
The lorry driver stated that he had stopped to ask his way. He admitted that the lorry had no rear lights but pointed out that he had tied a light to the side of the lorry so that it would show a red light to the rear. The coroner said it was impossible to say whether the light was or wasn’t on the lorry – he gave the driver the benefit of the doubt and recorded a verdict of Accidental Death.
At the time of the accident, James lived at Newbiggin, Richmond, Yorks.
At the time of the accident, James lived at Newbiggin, Richmond, Yorks.
James died intestate, leaving £3,783. He was buried at Walton Cemetery, Liverpool, on October 7, 1924.
James died intestate, leaving £3,783. He was buried at Walton Cemetery, Liverpool, on October 7, 1924.
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