Tommy Loates
1867 - 1910
1867 - 1910
Tommy Loates was born at 53 Agard Street, Derby, on 6th October, 1867.
Tommy Loates was born at 53 Agard Street, Derby, on 6th October, 1867.
His father, Archibald Loates, was a shoemaker and later a hotel keeper. His brothers Charles (always known as Ben) and Samuel were also professional jockeys with Sam – after he gave up riding – becoming a trainer at Newmarket.
His father, Archibald Loates, was a shoemaker and later a hotel keeper. His brothers Charles (always known as Ben) and Samuel were also professional jockeys with Sam – after he gave up riding – becoming a trainer at Newmarket.
Tommy was apprenticed to Joseph Cannon at Primrose House, Newmarket. Cannon was, at that time, training for Lord Rosebery. It was for Lord Rosebery that Tommy, aged just 15, rode his first winner in 1883.
Tommy was apprenticed to Joseph Cannon at Primrose House, Newmarket. Cannon was, at that time, training for Lord Rosebery. It was for Lord Rosebery that Tommy, aged just 15, rode his first winner in 1883.
His career, in which he rode 1,425 winners from 7,140 mounts, spanned 16 seasons.
His career, in which he rode 1,425 winners from 7,140 mounts, spanned 16 seasons.
He rode against the likes of Mornington Cannon, Otto Madden and Tom Cannon, and was Champion Jockey on three occasions – in 1889 (167 winners), 1890 (147 winners) and in 1893 (222 winners), the highest total since Fred Archer died.
He rode against the likes of Mornington Cannon, Otto Madden and Tom Cannon, and was Champion Jockey on three occasions – in 1889 (167 winners), 1890 (147 winners) and in 1893 (222 winners), the highest total since Fred Archer died.
He was attached to James Jewitt’s stables when winning the Triple Crown in 1893 aboard Isinglass, a soft-going specialist who nonetheless won 10 of his 11 races on firm ground. The ground came up soft for the 1894 Eclipse and Loates and Isinglass won in a canter but, generally, Isinglass was a remarkably lazy individual who caused Loates to remark ‘he would make a race of it with a donkey’.
He was attached to James Jewitt’s stables when winning the Triple Crown in 1893 aboard Isinglass, a soft-going specialist who nonetheless won 10 of his 11 races on firm ground. The ground came up soft for the 1894 Eclipse and Loates and Isinglass won in a canter but, generally, Isinglass was a remarkably lazy individual who caused Loates to remark ‘he would make a race of it with a donkey’.
Tommy Loates was asked at the last minute to ride Donovan in the 1889 Derby. He did so and won easily on the 8/11 favourite. In October 1888 he was suspended for an indefinite period for disobedience at the start of the Moulton Handicap at Newmarket’s first October meeting when riding the 5/3 favourite Holmsley (which finished second). He was able to resume riding the following season, and took mounts at Lincoln’s Spring Meeting in March.
Tommy Loates was asked at the last minute to ride Donovan in the 1889 Derby. He did so and won easily on the 8/11 favourite. In October 1888 he was suspended for an indefinite period for disobedience at the start of the Moulton Handicap at Newmarket’s first October meeting when riding the 5/3 favourite Holmsley (which finished second). He was able to resume riding the following season, and took mounts at Lincoln’s Spring Meeting in March.
On May 2nd 1896, Tommy won on all his five mounts at Windsor, but it was not a lucky year for him. He met with three nasty accidents on the racecourse, breaking his thigh in the most serious. He repeated the feat at Yarmouth in 1889 but, from 1900, ill-health affected his riding performances.
On May 2nd 1896, Tommy won on all his five mounts at Windsor, but it was not a lucky year for him. He met with three nasty accidents on the racecourse, breaking his thigh in the most serious. He repeated the feat at Yarmouth in 1889 but, from 1900, ill-health affected his riding performances.
He began having trouble with his eyes and consequently relinquished his jockey’s licence at the end of that season. However, thanks to fortuitous advice from Mr. Leopold de Rothschild with regard to investments, Loates was able to retire with a handsome sum.
He began having trouble with his eyes and consequently relinquished his jockey’s licence at the end of that season. However, thanks to fortuitous advice from Mr. Leopold de Rothschild with regard to investments, Loates was able to retire with a handsome sum.
It was to do him no good. He lived alone at Newmarket and soon developed a drinking problem. Then, in 1909, he married a nurse, Isabella Dale. She had looked after him the previous year as he battled alcoholism, but she left him when he started drinking again. They had no children.
It was to do him no good. He lived alone at Newmarket and soon developed a drinking problem. Then, in 1909, he married a nurse, Isabella Dale. She had looked after him the previous year as he battled alcoholism, but she left him when he started drinking again. They had no children.
His estate was valued at £74,342 9s 1d at the time of his death. This occurred at York Cottage, Aldbourne in Brighton on Wednesday 28th September 1910.
His estate was valued at £74,342 9s 1d at the time of his death. This occurred at York Cottage, Aldbourne in Brighton on Wednesday 28th September 1910.
He had been suffering for several weeks from alcoholic dementia. Francis Hoole, his loyal valet, found him dead in bed at York Cottage, Aldbourne, Brighton. Hoole stated in court that his master was a very quiet man and that he had never seen him take an alcoholic drink. The valet also said that Loates had left a nursing home six weeks ago and had not been out of his room since. Hoole said that he had last seen Loates alive on Wednesday morning at 9.30. During the previous night he had seen him several times and once heard him humming the tune ‘Sweet Mollie.’ On Wednesday morning Hoole left him to go to sleep as was his custom, but on returning to the room at 12.45 p.m. to give Mr Loates his medicine, he found him dead.
He had been suffering for several weeks from alcoholic dementia. Francis Hoole, his loyal valet, found him dead in bed at York Cottage, Aldbourne, Brighton. Hoole stated in court that his master was a very quiet man and that he had never seen him take an alcoholic drink. The valet also said that Loates had left a nursing home six weeks ago and had not been out of his room since. Hoole said that he had last seen Loates alive on Wednesday morning at 9.30. During the previous night he had seen him several times and once heard him humming the tune ‘Sweet Mollie.’ On Wednesday morning Hoole left him to go to sleep as was his custom, but on returning to the room at 12.45 p.m. to give Mr Loates his medicine, he found him dead.
Dr Alexander said he saw the deceased half hour after death. After a post mortem examination, the doctor concluded that Loates died while having a fit. There was no sign of disease. A verdict of death from natural causes was recorded.
Dr Alexander said he saw the deceased half hour after death. After a post mortem examination, the doctor concluded that Loates died while having a fit. There was no sign of disease. A verdict of death from natural causes was recorded.
Tommy left £500 each to the Rous Memorial Hospital, Newmarket and the Liverpool Royal Infirmary. In 1896, Tommy had fractured his thigh when falling at Aintree.
Tommy left £500 each to the Rous Memorial Hospital, Newmarket and the Liverpool Royal Infirmary. In 1896, Tommy had fractured his thigh when falling at Aintree.
Tommy Loates classic wins:
Tommy Loates classic wins:
Two Thousand Guineas: Isinglass (1893) and St Frusquin (1896)
Two Thousand Guineas: Isinglass (1893) and St Frusquin (1896)
One Thousand Guineas: Siffleuse (1893)
One Thousand Guineas: Siffleuse (1893)
The Derby: Donovan (1889) and Isinglass (1893)
The Derby: Donovan (1889) and Isinglass (1893)
St Leger: Isinglass (1893)
St Leger: Isinglass (1893)
