John (Jack) Leach
1901 - 1972
1901 - 1972
John Edward Leach - always known as Jack - was born at Newmarket on November 19, 1901. The son of trainer Felix and brother of 'Chubb', he rode some 500 winners including the 20/1 Two Thousand Guineas hero Adam's Apple in 1927.
John Edward Leach - always known as Jack - was born at Newmarket on November 19, 1901. The son of trainer Felix and brother of 'Chubb', he rode some 500 winners including the 20/1 Two Thousand Guineas hero Adam's Apple in 1927.
He always rated Diomedes, on whom he won The Portland Handicap. the best he rode. It was certainly a remarkable performance. The three-year-old, carrying 9st 2lb, raced full into a headwind, yet still broke the track record.
He always rated Diomedes, on whom he won The Portland Handicap. the best he rode. It was certainly a remarkable performance. The three-year-old, carrying 9st 2lb, raced full into a headwind, yet still broke the track record.
Jack was a charming and companionable individual but sadly lacked self-discipline.
Jack was a charming and companionable individual but sadly lacked self-discipline.
During the First World War, he served as a captain with the York & Lancaster regiment.
During the First World War, he served as a captain with the York & Lancaster regiment.
Having been forced out of the saddle by increasing weight, he took up training at Graham Place, Newmarket: Fred Astaire was one of his patrons.
Having been forced out of the saddle by increasing weight, he took up training at Graham Place, Newmarket: Fred Astaire was one of his patrons.
Jack also owned the 1934 Stewards' Cup winner, Figaro.
Jack also owned the 1934 Stewards' Cup winner, Figaro.
In 1933, Figaro was due to run in the first race at a Windsor meeting. A team of Cambridge undergraduates and Sandhurst cadets went to Eton to play against the boys. One member of the side was a friend of Jack's and passed on a tip for Figaro to all the players.
In 1933, Figaro was due to run in the first race at a Windsor meeting. A team of Cambridge undergraduates and Sandhurst cadets went to Eton to play against the boys. One member of the side was a friend of Jack's and passed on a tip for Figaro to all the players.
En masse, they arrived at Windsor racecourse and punted heavily on the horse. In a desperate finish, yelled home by the boys, Figaro won by a head at 12/1. The young students left with their pockets stuffed with £5 notes.
En masse, they arrived at Windsor racecourse and punted heavily on the horse. In a desperate finish, yelled home by the boys, Figaro won by a head at 12/1. The young students left with their pockets stuffed with £5 notes.
After the war, Jack resumed training. He won the Prix Morny with Delerium, proving he had the skill to be a successful trainer. But he did not have the temperament and gave up in 1952.
After the war, Jack resumed training. He won the Prix Morny with Delerium, proving he had the skill to be a successful trainer. But he did not have the temperament and gave up in 1952.
Then he discovered a talent for writing.
Then he discovered a talent for writing.
He had a racing column in both the Observer and the Sporting Life and wrote a book in 1961 about his life entitled 'Sods I Cut On The Turf'.
He had a racing column in both the Observer and the Sporting Life and wrote a book in 1961 about his life entitled 'Sods I Cut On The Turf'.
His unreliability, however, was the despair of his editors and he began losing work.
His unreliability, however, was the despair of his editors and he began losing work.
Aged 70, Jack died on Saturday January 29 1972 - just a few hours after the death of Harvey (Jack) Leader, for whom Jack had often ridden.
Aged 70, Jack died on Saturday January 29 1972 - just a few hours after the death of Harvey (Jack) Leader, for whom Jack had often ridden.
Jack has two jockey brothers: Henry Beresford (1908 - 1970) and Felix Jnr (1899 - 1930). Henry retired when only 22 and Felix Jr. died in 1930 during an operation for appendicitis.
Jack has two jockey brothers: Henry Beresford (1908 - 1970) and Felix Jnr (1899 - 1930). Henry retired when only 22 and Felix Jr. died in 1930 during an operation for appendicitis.