Jimmy Lindley
JIMMY LINDLEY was one of the very best jockeys of the 1960s and early ’70s, his big races victories including the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and three British Classics.
JIMMY LINDLEY was one of the very best jockeys of the 1960s and early ’70s, his big races victories including the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and three British Classics.
Weight problems restricted his opportunities, so he never won more than 71 races in a season or finished higher than ninth in the jockeys’ table.
Weight problems restricted his opportunities, so he never won more than 71 races in a season or finished higher than ninth in the jockeys’ table.
Those statistics do him scant justice and he did enough to establish himself at about the same level as his near-contemporaries Joe Mercer and Edward Hide.
Those statistics do him scant justice and he did enough to establish himself at about the same level as his near-contemporaries Joe Mercer and Edward Hide.
The son of a restaurant owner, Jimmy was born in Wembley on May 16, 1935, barely four years before the outbreak of World War II and he believed he was “three times lucky” just to be around to achieve what he did.
The son of a restaurant owner, Jimmy was born in Wembley on May 16, 1935, barely four years before the outbreak of World War II and he believed he was “three times lucky” just to be around to achieve what he did.
After moving to Eastbourne in Sussex from his north London birthplace at the age of two, he was buried for eight hours when his parents’ house was flattened by a German bomb. When they moved up the road, another raid blew the windows out. Going to live with his grandmother in Kent offered no escape, as a bomb landed in her garden.
After moving to Eastbourne in Sussex from his north London birthplace at the age of two, he was buried for eight hours when his parents’ house was flattened by a German bomb. When they moved up the road, another raid blew the windows out. Going to live with his grandmother in Kent offered no escape, as a bomb landed in her garden.
Jimmy had acquired a taste for riding before the war as a three-year-old on board the pony who pulled the Eastbourne milk cart, and that led to his becoming apprenticed to Tom Masson in nearby Lewes – then a notable training centre – at the age of 14 in 1949, completing his apprenticeship in 1954.
Jimmy had acquired a taste for riding before the war as a three-year-old on board the pony who pulled the Eastbourne milk cart, and that led to his becoming apprenticed to Tom Masson in nearby Lewes – then a notable training centre – at the age of 14 in 1949, completing his apprenticeship in 1954.
Masson had a reputation for getting the best out of problem horses and Jimmy was always grateful for the tuition he received from a trainer who believed that riding was an art form.
Masson had a reputation for getting the best out of problem horses and Jimmy was always grateful for the tuition he received from a trainer who believed that riding was an art form.
He had his first ride in public on a five-year-old gelding called Unimpeachable in the Spelthorne Handicap Stakes at Kempton on Saturday, April 8, 1950. They finished last of the 13 runners. It was not an auspicious start and Jimmy had to wait over two years before riding his first winner on Sweet Phoenix for Harry Hannon (grandfather of current trainer Richard Hannon) in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Brighton on Wednesday, June 11, 1952, weighing out at 7st 1lb.
He had his first ride in public on a five-year-old gelding called Unimpeachable in the Spelthorne Handicap Stakes at Kempton on Saturday, April 8, 1950. They finished last of the 13 runners. It was not an auspicious start and Jimmy had to wait over two years before riding his first winner on Sweet Phoenix for Harry Hannon (grandfather of current trainer Richard Hannon) in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Brighton on Wednesday, June 11, 1952, weighing out at 7st 1lb.
He had his first major success when still a 5lb claimer on Damremont in the 1953 City and Suburban Handicap at Epsom.
He had his first major success when still a 5lb claimer on Damremont in the 1953 City and Suburban Handicap at Epsom.
But after riding out his claim, Jimmy’s weight ballooned during a spell in India in the mid-1950s and he found rides drying up, so much so that he briefly gave up racing to work in a Brighton factory before being offered the chance to join his future father-in-law Matt Feakes for two seasons over jumps.
But after riding out his claim, Jimmy’s weight ballooned during a spell in India in the mid-1950s and he found rides drying up, so much so that he briefly gave up racing to work in a Brighton factory before being offered the chance to join his future father-in-law Matt Feakes for two seasons over jumps.
He had his first ride over hurdles on Beau Sejeur at Worcester on October 20, 1956, finishing second, and gained his first win on Francette at Cheltenham on November 14, 1956. He won the Oteley Hurdle on Retour De Flamme in 1958 and finished third on that horse in the Champion Hurdle 17 days later.
He had his first ride over hurdles on Beau Sejeur at Worcester on October 20, 1956, finishing second, and gained his first win on Francette at Cheltenham on November 14, 1956. He won the Oteley Hurdle on Retour De Flamme in 1958 and finished third on that horse in the Champion Hurdle 17 days later.
Jimmy felt that his time as a jump jockey toughened him up and certainly stood him in good stead when Jack ‘Towser’ Gosden (father of trainer John Gosden) asked him to try his luck on Aggressor, the awkward horse who would change his career.
Jimmy felt that his time as a jump jockey toughened him up and certainly stood him in good stead when Jack ‘Towser’ Gosden (father of trainer John Gosden) asked him to try his luck on Aggressor, the awkward horse who would change his career.
Jimmy and Aggressor went on to record a string of successes, culminating in the five-year-old’s defeat of the supposedly unbeatable Petite Etoile in the 1960 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. Petite Etoile had won the 1959 1,000 Guineas and Oaks and was the 5-2 on favourite for the King George, but Jimmy doubted Lester Piggott’s mount truly stayed a mile and a half and he was determined to test her stamina.
Jimmy and Aggressor went on to record a string of successes, culminating in the five-year-old’s defeat of the supposedly unbeatable Petite Etoile in the 1960 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. Petite Etoile had won the 1959 1,000 Guineas and Oaks and was the 5-2 on favourite for the King George, but Jimmy doubted Lester Piggott’s mount truly stayed a mile and a half and he was determined to test her stamina.
With heavy rain turning the ground in Aggressor’s favour, he gave his mount an attacking ride, kicking on some way out, and his judgement was proved spot on as Petite Etoile was still half a length adrift at the line.
With heavy rain turning the ground in Aggressor’s favour, he gave his mount an attacking ride, kicking on some way out, and his judgement was proved spot on as Petite Etoile was still half a length adrift at the line.
He possessed rare strength in a finish and it is no coincidence that each of his three English Classic victories were gained by a short head or a head on sub-standard winners: Only For Life (1963 2,000 Guineas), Indiana (1964 St Leger) and Kashmir (1966 2,000 Guineas).
He possessed rare strength in a finish and it is no coincidence that each of his three English Classic victories were gained by a short head or a head on sub-standard winners: Only For Life (1963 2,000 Guineas), Indiana (1964 St Leger) and Kashmir (1966 2,000 Guineas).
He rode in the Derby for the first time a few days after his 18th birthday in 1953, but the Epsom Classic always eluded him. The nearest he came to winning it was in 1964, when his mount Indiana was cut down by Santa Claus’s late burst and beaten a length. Ironically, Jimmy rode Santa Claus later that season when he was beaten three-quarters of a length into second place by Prince Royal in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
He rode in the Derby for the first time a few days after his 18th birthday in 1953, but the Epsom Classic always eluded him. The nearest he came to winning it was in 1964, when his mount Indiana was cut down by Santa Claus’s late burst and beaten a length. Ironically, Jimmy rode Santa Claus later that season when he was beaten three-quarters of a length into second place by Prince Royal in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
His biggest Derby hard-luck story came in 1966 when he was claimed to ride third-placed Black Prince. The owner would not let him off to partner the winner Charlottown, thus allowing Scobie Breasley to take the mount and win his first Derby.
His biggest Derby hard-luck story came in 1966 when he was claimed to ride third-placed Black Prince. The owner would not let him off to partner the winner Charlottown, thus allowing Scobie Breasley to take the mount and win his first Derby.
Jimmy’s loyalty may have cost him Derby success in 1967 as he had been offered the chance to succeed Piggott as stable jockey to Noel Murless, whose Royal Palace was destined to triumph at Epsom. But at the time he had a gentleman’s agreement to ride for Jeremy Tree and he chose not to leave Beckhampton, a decision he later called the biggest disappointment of his career.
Jimmy’s loyalty may have cost him Derby success in 1967 as he had been offered the chance to succeed Piggott as stable jockey to Noel Murless, whose Royal Palace was destined to triumph at Epsom. But at the time he had a gentleman’s agreement to ride for Jeremy Tree and he chose not to leave Beckhampton, a decision he later called the biggest disappointment of his career.
Among the best horses he rode during his career were Santa Claus and Caro, though he rode those two champions only once each – when they became his only mounts to finish in the frame in the Arc. Caro was the best older horse in Europe when fourth to Mill Reef in 1971.
Among the best horses he rode during his career were Santa Claus and Caro, though he rode those two champions only once each – when they became his only mounts to finish in the frame in the Arc. Caro was the best older horse in Europe when fourth to Mill Reef in 1971.
Dick Hern used him with success on Galivanter, Highest Hopes, Sun Prince and Sallust, and would have given him the leg-up on Brigadier Gerard in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot in 1972 had Joe Mercer not recovered from a plane crash two days before. He sometimes rode the great champion (voted Britain’s Horse of the Century) on the gallops.
Dick Hern used him with success on Galivanter, Highest Hopes, Sun Prince and Sallust, and would have given him the leg-up on Brigadier Gerard in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot in 1972 had Joe Mercer not recovered from a plane crash two days before. He sometimes rode the great champion (voted Britain’s Horse of the Century) on the gallops.
He became stable jockey to the up-and-coming trainer Guy Harwood – the partnership won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes with Jan Ekels – and spent one year, 1973, in France with trainer Richard Carver, winning the Prix du Cadran and Ascot Gold Cup on Lassalle.
He became stable jockey to the up-and-coming trainer Guy Harwood – the partnership won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes with Jan Ekels – and spent one year, 1973, in France with trainer Richard Carver, winning the Prix du Cadran and Ascot Gold Cup on Lassalle.
Jimmy’s weight problems meant he was never in contention for the jockeys’ championship. He never finished better than ninth in the table, with a best score of 71 in 1963. His battle with the scales took its toll and had a damaging effect on his body, leading a kidney expert to advise him to retire at the age of 39 in 1974.
Jimmy’s weight problems meant he was never in contention for the jockeys’ championship. He never finished better than ninth in the table, with a best score of 71 in 1963. His battle with the scales took its toll and had a damaging effect on his body, leading a kidney expert to advise him to retire at the age of 39 in 1974.
He rode his last winner on Rouser in the Falkland Handicap at Newbury on September 20, 1974. He retired having won a total of 907 races in Britain, including 25 over jumps, plus many winners abroad including the Irish and Italian Oaks.
He rode his last winner on Rouser in the Falkland Handicap at Newbury on September 20, 1974. He retired having won a total of 907 races in Britain, including 25 over jumps, plus many winners abroad including the Irish and Italian Oaks.
Soon after his retirement, he became an integral part of the BBC TV’s racing team, succeeding Clive Graham as paddock commentator, a role he fulfilled for almost 30 years.
Soon after his retirement, he became an integral part of the BBC TV’s racing team, succeeding Clive Graham as paddock commentator, a role he fulfilled for almost 30 years.
He returned to action for a one-off ride in the Shadwell Estates Private Stakes at Ascot on September 29, 1989. His five rivals comprised former jockeys-turned-broadcasters Lord Oaksey, Richard Pitman, John Francome and Brough Scott plus ex-royal jump jockey Bill Smith. Jimmy rode the odds-on favourite Wabil, owned, like all the six runners, by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. Having led for over a mile of the ten-furlong contest, Jimmy was headed by Bill Smith's mount Polemos over a furlong out but, showing he had lost little of his dash, Jimmy produced a renewed effort from Wabil and got back up in the last stride for a short-head victory, thus bowing out on a winner.
He returned to action for a one-off ride in the Shadwell Estates Private Stakes at Ascot on September 29, 1989. His five rivals comprised former jockeys-turned-broadcasters Lord Oaksey, Richard Pitman, John Francome and Brough Scott plus ex-royal jump jockey Bill Smith. Jimmy rode the odds-on favourite Wabil, owned, like all the six runners, by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. Having led for over a mile of the ten-furlong contest, Jimmy was headed by Bill Smith's mount Polemos over a furlong out but, showing he had lost little of his dash, Jimmy produced a renewed effort from Wabil and got back up in the last stride for a short-head victory, thus bowing out on a winner.
Jimmy Lindley died on March 23, 2022, aged 86. He is survived by his wife Pat and sons Bruce and Mark.
Jimmy Lindley died on March 23, 2022, aged 86. He is survived by his wife Pat and sons Bruce and Mark.
Jimmy Lindley's classic winners:
Jimmy Lindley's classic winners:
Two Thousand Guineas: Only For Life (1963), Kashmir II (1966)
Two Thousand Guineas: Only For Life (1963), Kashmir II (1966)
St Leger: Indiana (1964)
St Leger: Indiana (1964)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1953: City and Suburban Handicap – Damremont
1953: City and Suburban Handicap – Damremont
1953: Manchester Cup – Tintinnabulum
1953: Manchester Cup – Tintinnabulum
1957: Solario Stakes – Aggressor
1957: Solario Stakes – Aggressor
1959: John Porter Stakes – Cutter
1959: John Porter Stakes – Cutter
1959: Coronation Stakes (Sandown) – Aggressor
1959: Coronation Stakes (Sandown) – Aggressor
1959: Hardwicke Stakes – Impatient
1959: Hardwicke Stakes – Impatient
1959: Chesterfield Cup – Aggressor
1959: Chesterfield Cup – Aggressor
1959: Cumberland Lodge Stakes – Aggressor
1959: Cumberland Lodge Stakes – Aggressor
1960: Fred Darling Stakes – Soldier’s Song
1960: Fred Darling Stakes – Soldier’s Song
1960: John Porter Stakes – Aggressor
1960: John Porter Stakes – Aggressor
1960: Hardwicke Stakes – Aggressor
1960: Hardwicke Stakes – Aggressor
1960: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – Aggressor
1960: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – Aggressor
1960: Stewards’ Cup – Monet
1960: Stewards’ Cup – Monet
1960: Solario Stakes – Dual
1960: Solario Stakes – Dual
1960: Guernsey Stud Produce Stakes – Ribelle
1960: Guernsey Stud Produce Stakes – Ribelle
1960: Champagne Stakes – Ambergris
1960: Champagne Stakes – Ambergris
1960: Cumberland Lodge Stakes – High Perch
1960: Cumberland Lodge Stakes – High Perch
1961: John Porter Stakes – High Perch
1961: John Porter Stakes – High Perch
1961: Guernsey Stud Produce Stakes – Windmill
1961: Guernsey Stud Produce Stakes – Windmill
1961: Nassau Stakes – Rachel
1961: Nassau Stakes – Rachel
1961: Middle Park Stakes – Gustav
1961: Middle Park Stakes – Gustav
1962: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Compensation
1962: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Compensation
1963: Lingfield Derby Trial – Duplation
1963: Lingfield Derby Trial – Duplation
1963: Queen Mary Stakes – Lerida
1963: Queen Mary Stakes – Lerida
1963: King Edward VII Stakes – Only For Life
1963: King Edward VII Stakes – Only For Life
1963: Ribblesdale Stakes – Ostrya
1963: Ribblesdale Stakes – Ostrya
1963: Nassau Stakes – Spree
1963: Nassau Stakes – Spree
1963: Manchester November Handicap – Best Song
1963: Manchester November Handicap – Best Song
1964: National Stakes – Double Jump
1964: National Stakes – Double Jump
1964: Gimcrack Stakes – Double Jump
1964: Gimcrack Stakes – Double Jump
1964: Great Voltigeur Stakes – Indiana
1964: Great Voltigeur Stakes – Indiana
1964: Imperial Stakes – Gulf Pearl
1964: Imperial Stakes – Gulf Pearl
1965: City and Suburban Handicap – Minor Portion
1965: City and Suburban Handicap – Minor Portion
1965: Fred Darling Stakes- Night Appeal
1965: Fred Darling Stakes- Night Appeal
1965: Chester Vase – Gulf Pearl
1965: Chester Vase – Gulf Pearl
1965: Ormonde Stakes – Indiana
1965: Ormonde Stakes – Indiana
1965: Lingfield Derby Trial – Solstice
1965: Lingfield Derby Trial – Solstice
1965: Queen Mary Stakes – Visp
1965: Queen Mary Stakes – Visp
1965: Solario Stakes – Charlottown
1965: Solario Stakes – Charlottown
1965: Horris Hill Stakes – Charlottown
1965: Horris Hill Stakes – Charlottown
1965: Middle Park Stakes – Track Spare
1965: Middle Park Stakes – Track Spare
1966: Coronation Stakes (Sandown) – Super Sam
1966: Coronation Stakes (Sandown) – Super Sam
1966: Queen Mary Stakes – Petite Path
1966: Queen Mary Stakes – Petite Path
1966: St. James’s Palace Stakes – Track Spare
1966: St. James’s Palace Stakes – Track Spare
1966: Northern Goldsmith’s Handicap – Double-U-Jay
1966: Northern Goldsmith’s Handicap – Double-U-Jay
1966: Geoffrey Freer Stakes – Charlottown
1966: Geoffrey Freer Stakes – Charlottown
1966: Sun Chariot Stakes – Lucaya
1966: Sun Chariot Stakes – Lucaya
1966: Cornwallis Stakes – Green Park
1966: Cornwallis Stakes – Green Park
1967: John Porter Stakes – Charlottown
1967: John Porter Stakes – Charlottown
1967: Jockey Club Stakes – Acrania
1967: Jockey Club Stakes – Acrania
1967: Coronation Cup – Charlottown
1967: Coronation Cup – Charlottown
1967: Princess Margaret Stakes – Photo Flash
1967: Princess Margaret Stakes – Photo Flash
1967: Flying Childers Stakes – D’Urberville
1967: Flying Childers Stakes – D’Urberville
1968: Temple Stakes – D’Urberville
1968: Temple Stakes – D’Urberville
1968: Old Newton Cup – Tiber
1968: Old Newton Cup – Tiber
1969: Horris Hill Stakes – Double First
1969: Horris Hill Stakes – Double First
1970: Ascot Gold Cup – Precipice Wood
1970: Ascot Gold Cup – Precipice Wood
1970: Fred Darling Stakes – Highest Hopes
1970: Fred Darling Stakes – Highest Hopes
1970: Musidora Stakes – Whitefoot
1970: Musidora Stakes – Whitefoot
1970: Haydock Sprint Cup – Golden Orange
1970: Haydock Sprint Cup – Golden Orange
1971: Dante Stakes – Fair World
1971: Dante Stakes – Fair World
1971: Stewards’ Cup – Apollo Nine
1971: Stewards’ Cup – Apollo Nine
1971: Geoffrey Freer Stakes – High Line
1971: Geoffrey Freer Stakes – High Line
1972: Lingfield Derby Trial – Charling
1972: Lingfield Derby Trial – Charling
1972: St James’s Palace Stakes – Sun Prince
1972: St James’s Palace Stakes – Sun Prince
1972: Coventry Stakes – Perdu
1972: Coventry Stakes – Perdu
1972: Gosforth Park Cup – Flintham
1972: Gosforth Park Cup – Flintham
1972: July Stakes – Perdu
1972: July Stakes – Perdu
1972: Molecomb Stakes – Miss Slip
1972: Molecomb Stakes – Miss Slip
1972: Geoffrey Freer Stakes – Sol ’Argent
1972: Geoffrey Freer Stakes – Sol ’Argent
1972: Lowther Stakes – Regardia
1972: Lowther Stakes – Regardia
1972: Middle Park Stakes – Tudenham
1972: Middle Park Stakes – Tudenham
1972: Cornwallis Stakes – The Go-Between
1972: Cornwallis Stakes – The Go-Between
1973: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – Jan Ekels
1973: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – Jan Ekels
1973: Ascot Gold Cup – Lassalle
1973: Ascot Gold Cup – Lassalle
1973: Prix du Cadran – Lassalle
1973: Prix du Cadran – Lassalle
1974: Sussex Stakes – Ace of Aces
1974: Sussex Stakes – Ace of Aces
In Ireland
In Ireland
1961: Irish Oaks – Ambergris
1961: Irish Oaks – Ambergris
In Italy
In Italy
1967: Oaks D’Italia – Dolina
1967: Oaks D’Italia – Dolina
