John Liddiard
1867 - 1939
1867 - 1939
John Collison Liddiard was born in Edinburgh on November 20, 1867. The son of a publican, he was actually brought up in Devises, Wiltshire, and on leaving school, was apprenticed to Charles Jousiffe.
John Collison Liddiard was born in Edinburgh on November 20, 1867. The son of a publican, he was actually brought up in Devises, Wiltshire, and on leaving school, was apprenticed to Charles Jousiffe.
His first success was on Review in a Maiden Riders Plate at Newmarket on 27 October 1885.
His first success was on Review in a Maiden Riders Plate at Newmarket on 27 October 1885.
And early big winner was Tissaphernes, which he rode to victory in Epsom's 1888 Great Metropolitan.
And early big winner was Tissaphernes, which he rode to victory in Epsom's 1888 Great Metropolitan.
John rode one classic winner: Surefoot, 1890 2,000 Guineas.
John rode one classic winner: Surefoot, 1890 2,000 Guineas.
He was also aboard Surefoot again when winning the 1891 Eclipse.
He was also aboard Surefoot again when winning the 1891 Eclipse.
John holds the dubious record of riding the favourite for The Epsom Derby with the shortest odds (40-95) and not winning. This was Surefoot, who finished fourth in 1890. Surefoot was also offered at 1-8 to finish in the first three.
John holds the dubious record of riding the favourite for The Epsom Derby with the shortest odds (40-95) and not winning. This was Surefoot, who finished fourth in 1890. Surefoot was also offered at 1-8 to finish in the first three.
Yet it was not by fair play that John and Surefoot were beaten.
Yet it was not by fair play that John and Surefoot were beaten.
John had been instrumental in getting several of the jockeys who rode against him in that Derby 'stood down' for a month some time before, and was without doubt 'taken care of' on the day of the race.
John had been instrumental in getting several of the jockeys who rode against him in that Derby 'stood down' for a month some time before, and was without doubt 'taken care of' on the day of the race.
One of the jockeys, W. T. Robinson - who rode Rathbeal in the race - never made any secret of it in his latter days.
One of the jockeys, W. T. Robinson - who rode Rathbeal in the race - never made any secret of it in his latter days.
'I give you word', he used to say. 'Surefoot had not an earthly chance of winning...'
'I give you word', he used to say. 'Surefoot had not an earthly chance of winning...'
On Derby Day, he helped to fill John Liddiard up with gin - of which John was all too fond - then, with the rest of the jockeys, saw to it in the race that Surefoot should not win.
On Derby Day, he helped to fill John Liddiard up with gin - of which John was all too fond - then, with the rest of the jockeys, saw to it in the race that Surefoot should not win.
John won the Prix de Jockey Club, Paris, in 1894, riding Gospoda.
John won the Prix de Jockey Club, Paris, in 1894, riding Gospoda.
This lead to an outcry since the horse won easily at long odds following a poor showing in its previous race, and resulted in an investigation.
This lead to an outcry since the horse won easily at long odds following a poor showing in its previous race, and resulted in an investigation.
John suffered a severe injury when he fell whilst training in France towards the end of 1894, and did not ride again after that.
John suffered a severe injury when he fell whilst training in France towards the end of 1894, and did not ride again after that.
John died in Egham, Surrey, on November 1, 1939.
John died in Egham, Surrey, on November 1, 1939.
Article courtesy of Chas Hammond
Article courtesy of Chas Hammond
I am indebted to Tony Liddiard, the great grandson of John, for extra information supplied.
I am indebted to Tony Liddiard, the great grandson of John, for extra information supplied.
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