Tommy Lappin
1940 - 2010
1940 - 2010
Born in Co. Monaghan on May 1, 1940, Tommy Lappin began his racing career in an Irish jumping stable before crossing the Irish Sea and becoming apprenticed to Yorkshire trainer Harry Blackshaw in 1956.
Born in Co. Monaghan on May 1, 1940, Tommy Lappin began his racing career in an Irish jumping stable before crossing the Irish Sea and becoming apprenticed to Yorkshire trainer Harry Blackshaw in 1956.
He rode his first winner on Blackshaw’s two-year-old filly Rockomo in the Tunstall Selling Plate at Catterick Bridge on July 25, 1957. The following season he rode what would turn out to be a career-best 22 winners.
He rode his first winner on Blackshaw’s two-year-old filly Rockomo in the Tunstall Selling Plate at Catterick Bridge on July 25, 1957. The following season he rode what would turn out to be a career-best 22 winners.
Tommy was leading jockey for half an hour in 1959 when winning the first race of the Flat season, the Apprentices’ Handicap at Lincoln, on Kingston-By-Pass, again trained by Blackshaw. He rode a total of 16 winners that year, nine the next, and five in 1961, his last year as an apprentice.
Tommy was leading jockey for half an hour in 1959 when winning the first race of the Flat season, the Apprentices’ Handicap at Lincoln, on Kingston-By-Pass, again trained by Blackshaw. He rode a total of 16 winners that year, nine the next, and five in 1961, his last year as an apprentice.
He struggled without his apprentice claim, failing to ride a winner in either 1962 or 1963, then riding three in 1964 and just one in 1965. He was sidelined in 1966 for some time following a serious operation. On his return, he found it hard to get going again, though he managed to ride two winners in 1968.
He struggled without his apprentice claim, failing to ride a winner in either 1962 or 1963, then riding three in 1964 and just one in 1965. He was sidelined in 1966 for some time following a serious operation. On his return, he found it hard to get going again, though he managed to ride two winners in 1968.
Disillusioned, he left racing altogether, spending several years working on building sites as a bricklayer. His career as a jockey appeared to be over.
Disillusioned, he left racing altogether, spending several years working on building sites as a bricklayer. His career as a jockey appeared to be over.
However, against all the odds he retuned for a successful stint as stable jockey to trainer Ken Payne in the mid-1970s. According to Payne’s book ‘The Coup’, when he moved into Kingsley House Stables in Middleham he needed some brickwork done. He asked his neighbour Captain Neville Crump if he could recommend anyone. Crump is said to have replied: “There’s a chap called Lappin who could do it. But he’s better at riding horses than he is at laying bricks.”
However, against all the odds he retuned for a successful stint as stable jockey to trainer Ken Payne in the mid-1970s. According to Payne’s book ‘The Coup’, when he moved into Kingsley House Stables in Middleham he needed some brickwork done. He asked his neighbour Captain Neville Crump if he could recommend anyone. Crump is said to have replied: “There’s a chap called Lappin who could do it. But he’s better at riding horses than he is at laying bricks.”
The name rang a bell with Payne, as Lester Piggott had reportedly mentioned his name when he’s heard he was moving up north. “Used to be a good apprentice up there. Lappin. Don’t know what happened to him.”
The name rang a bell with Payne, as Lester Piggott had reportedly mentioned his name when he’s heard he was moving up north. “Used to be a good apprentice up there. Lappin. Don’t know what happened to him.”
So it was that Tommy Lappin, bricklayer, became Ken Payne’s number one jockey.
So it was that Tommy Lappin, bricklayer, became Ken Payne’s number one jockey.
Tommy rode to orders and had four good seasons riding for Payne, who was noted for his selling race coups. He registered scores of 12 in 1973, 20 in 1974, 17 in 1975, and 13 in his final season, 1976. He rode his last winner on K’Ang Hsi in a two-year-old nursery at Redcar on August 6, 1976.
Tommy rode to orders and had four good seasons riding for Payne, who was noted for his selling race coups. He registered scores of 12 in 1973, 20 in 1974, 17 in 1975, and 13 in his final season, 1976. He rode his last winner on K’Ang Hsi in a two-year-old nursery at Redcar on August 6, 1976.
Tommy Lappin died on January 1, 2010, aged 69.
Tommy Lappin died on January 1, 2010, aged 69.
His son Rodney (born October 21, 1966) followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a Flat jockey.
His son Rodney (born October 21, 1966) followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a Flat jockey.