Ian Martin

Ian on Craigendoran

Ian Martin


1916 - 1963


Ian Martin was born on January 2, 1916, the son of Ogbourne trainer Edwin Martin. He had his first ride when aged just 11 on an unnamed two-year-old chestnut gelding by White Eagle out of Roman Slave in the Ilsley Selling Plate at Newbury on September 23, 1927, finishing eighth of the 18 runners.


That unnamed two-year-old was subsequently given the name Eagle’s Prey, and it was that horse who provided Ian, by then aged 12, with his first win un the Sandringham Apprentice Plate at Yarmouth on September 20, 1928.


Ian went on to ride 23 winners on the Flat between 1928 and 1933, achieving a best score of 14 in 1931, which placed him fourth in the apprentices’ list for the season. His last win on the Flat was Comprehension, trained by Frank Hartigan, who landed the Makerfield Handicap at Haydock Park on May 12, 1933.


He also rode two winners over jumps, starting with the eight-year-old Craigendoran, who 

won the Ashbourne Selling Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter on October 11, 1937, beating Barrister, the mount of Fred Gurney, by a short head.  


It was a remarkably similar story at Pershore four days later when he rode Joyous Cavalier to win the Upton Selling Handicap Hurdle, beating another experienced jump jockey, Frenchie Nicholson on Centaur, by a short head. 


Craigendora and Joyous Cavalier were both trained by Tom Mitchell. Ian rode them both one more time but they were unable to repeat their victories. He had his final ride on Celano, who trailed in last of nine finishers in the Welbeck Chase at Derby on February 10, 1938. 


Soon afterwards, he moved to Northampton and became a successful car salesman. He was married early during the war and settled down in Balmoral Road, near the town centre. He died there in 1963, aged 47.