John Latham
c1852 - 1936
c1852 - 1936
National Hunt jockey John Latham was born circa 1852 and rode 157 winners over jumps. He started out as an amateur and rode his first winner at Manchester on January 2, 1883 on Mr Howard’s unnamed brown gelding by Lecturer out of St Agnes in the Second Qualification Plate, a race for hunters that had never previously run in a steeplechase or hurdle race, except the First Qualification Plate.
National Hunt jockey John Latham was born circa 1852 and rode 157 winners over jumps. He started out as an amateur and rode his first winner at Manchester on January 2, 1883 on Mr Howard’s unnamed brown gelding by Lecturer out of St Agnes in the Second Qualification Plate, a race for hunters that had never previously run in a steeplechase or hurdle race, except the First Qualification Plate.
John turned professional soon after, in November 1883. He enjoyed his most successful year numerically in 1889 with 27 wins, placing him eighth in the National Hunt jockeys’ championship.
John turned professional soon after, in November 1883. He enjoyed his most successful year numerically in 1889 with 27 wins, placing him eighth in the National Hunt jockeys’ championship.
He rode in three Grand Nationals during the 1890s but fell on each occasion. His mounts were Meldrum (1892), Surplice (1898) and Lotus Lily (1899). The first two were 100-1 shots but Lotus Lily was a well-fancied 100-8 chance on whom he’d won the Manchester Handicap Chase the previous month.
He rode in three Grand Nationals during the 1890s but fell on each occasion. His mounts were Meldrum (1892), Surplice (1898) and Lotus Lily (1899). The first two were 100-1 shots but Lotus Lily was a well-fancied 100-8 chance on whom he’d won the Manchester Handicap Chase the previous month.
While his luck may have been out in the Grand National itself, John did win three races over Aintree’s fearsome fences. He landed the Stanley Chase twice, on Edgar in 1895 and Athel Roy in 1897, and the Aintree Hunt Chase in 1897 on Lambton II. It must be said that all three races were uncompetitive affairs with small fields. They produced a combined total of just 13 runners.
While his luck may have been out in the Grand National itself, John did win three races over Aintree’s fearsome fences. He landed the Stanley Chase twice, on Edgar in 1895 and Athel Roy in 1897, and the Aintree Hunt Chase in 1897 on Lambton II. It must be said that all three races were uncompetitive affairs with small fields. They produced a combined total of just 13 runners.
The Stanley Chase was effectively a novice chase restricted to five-year-olds, run over two miles and six furlongs. All the Grand National fences were jumped with the exception of the Chair. Until 1935 the first fence was the water jump, but from 1936 until its last running in 1952 the race started in front of a new plain fence, built in the vicinity of the Chair.
The Stanley Chase was effectively a novice chase restricted to five-year-olds, run over two miles and six furlongs. All the Grand National fences were jumped with the exception of the Chair. Until 1935 the first fence was the water jump, but from 1936 until its last running in 1952 the race started in front of a new plain fence, built in the vicinity of the Chair.
The conditions of the race meant that it attracted few runners. Only once in its first 27 renewals did it produce a double-figure field. On five occasions the entire field fell, but each time at least one horse was remounted to complete the course to claim victory. On four other occasions, only one horse completed without mishap.
The conditions of the race meant that it attracted few runners. Only once in its first 27 renewals did it produce a double-figure field. On five occasions the entire field fell, but each time at least one horse was remounted to complete the course to claim victory. On four other occasions, only one horse completed without mishap.
The Aintree Hunt Chase was actually a selling chase and, like the Stanley Chase, attracted few runners.
The Aintree Hunt Chase was actually a selling chase and, like the Stanley Chase, attracted few runners.
John rode his last winner on Royal Drake in the Makerfield Handicap Chase at Haydock Park on December 17, 1903. His final ride was on a horse named Flutterer, who fell in the Middlesex Handicap Chase at Hurst Park on January 16, 1904.
John rode his last winner on Royal Drake in the Makerfield Handicap Chase at Haydock Park on December 17, 1903. His final ride was on a horse named Flutterer, who fell in the Middlesex Handicap Chase at Hurst Park on January 16, 1904.
John Latham died in 1936.
John Latham died in 1936.