James McKay

James McKay

Article by Alan Trout

James McKay rode over jumps for more than a decade in the 1920s and 1930s and had 19 winners.

He had his first ride at Derby on Match 6, 1922 when finishing unplaced on the four-year-old Union Jack, trained by George Gunter, in the Osmaston Maiden Hurdle, but next time out they fared much better, winning the Mordan Hurdle at Sedgefield on April 4 by half a length, giving James his first success.

Thereafter, progress was slow. It was 22 months before he had another win, but he then rode two in two days. He did not ride in any big races and the most wins he had in any one season was five, all within the space of two months, in the 1926/27 campaign. He once went five years without riding a winner, despite holding a licence throughout that time, and he even had a few rides on the Flat in the early 1930s. 

His last two wins were gained in December 1934, with both attracting some controversy. After his mount Banner Knight won the Dovedale Handicap Hurdle at Derby on December 17, reigning champion jockey Gerry Wilson, who had ridden the runner-up, objected to the winner on grounds of crossing, but this was overruled. 

At Wolverhampton on Boxing Day, the five-year-old Bayport won the Bushbury Selling Handicap Hurdle by five lengths, leading the stewards to enquire into the horse’s improved performance compared to his previous running. After hearing evidence from his trainer, Sidney Seymour, who had only recently taken over the horse, they accepted his explanation. 

James had his final ride at Wetherby on November 6, 1937 on Rumble Bumble, who finished unplaced in the Stockeld Juvenile Hurdle.  

James McKay’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Union Jack, Sedgefield, April 4, 1922

2. Outed, Sedgefield, February 19, 1924

3. The Cuban, Sedgefield, February 20, 1924

4. Outed, Sedgefield, April 2, 1924

5. Little England, Sedgefield, December 27, 1924

6. The Cuban, Sedgefield, February 24, 1926

7. Blazing Hill, Manchester, March 5, 1926

8. Bynac, Manchester, March 6, 1926

9. Blazing Hill, Catterick Bridge, March 12, 1926

10. Alex, Uttoxeter, April 4, 1927

11. Habeo, Wetherby, April 18, 1927

12. Milewater, Wetherby, April 19, 1927

13. Habeo, Woore, May 12, 1927

14. Habeo, Wetherby, June 6, 1927

15. Alex, Hexham, May 2, 1928

16. Alex, Uttoxeter, May 14, 1928

17. Maplebeck, Wetherby, April 18, 1933

18. Banner Knight, Derby, December 17, 1934

19. Bayport, Wolverhampton, December 26, 1934