James Middleton
James Middleton
James Middleton
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
James Middleton had three wins as an apprentice on the flat in 1926 and also had plenty of rides over jumps in the 1920s, ending with 16 winners overall.
James Middleton had three wins as an apprentice on the flat in 1926 and also had plenty of rides over jumps in the 1920s, ending with 16 winners overall.
He was apprenticed to Cheltenham-based trainer Ben Roberts and had his first ride when unplaced on Rock Iris in the Bryn Selling Welter Plate at Haydock Park on August 30, 1924. His first win came nearly two years later when Leeds Rock beat three rivals to land the Apprentice Plate by three lengths at Bogside on July 24, 1926. He doubled his score when Fulfil won the Brough Apprentice Plate at Catterick Bridge six days later, and had his final success on the Flat with a one-length victory on the three-year-old Caramond in the Coventry Apprentice Stakes at Worcester in October.
He was apprenticed to Cheltenham-based trainer Ben Roberts and had his first ride when unplaced on Rock Iris in the Bryn Selling Welter Plate at Haydock Park on August 30, 1924. His first win came nearly two years later when Leeds Rock beat three rivals to land the Apprentice Plate by three lengths at Bogside on July 24, 1926. He doubled his score when Fulfil won the Brough Apprentice Plate at Catterick Bridge six days later, and had his final success on the Flat with a one-length victory on the three-year-old Caramond in the Coventry Apprentice Stakes at Worcester in October.
Although James continued to ride on the Flat until 1928, it was under National Hunt rules that he had the remainder of his wins. His first ride over jumps was on Marmot, who finished third in the Wyfold Hurdle at Wolverhampton on December 27, 1926.
Although James continued to ride on the Flat until 1928, it was under National Hunt rules that he had the remainder of his wins. His first ride over jumps was on Marmot, who finished third in the Wyfold Hurdle at Wolverhampton on December 27, 1926.
At the Tenby Hunt meeting on January 12, 1927, the pair finished second to the prolific winner Dudley, partnered by his regular amateur rider pilot Harry Atherton Brown. At the same course the very next day, James registered his first win over jumps when, for the only time in 23 starts that season, Marmot won a race, landing the Victory Hurdle by ten lengths.
At the Tenby Hunt meeting on January 12, 1927, the pair finished second to the prolific winner Dudley, partnered by his regular amateur rider pilot Harry Atherton Brown. At the same course the very next day, James registered his first win over jumps when, for the only time in 23 starts that season, Marmot won a race, landing the Victory Hurdle by ten lengths.
James had no more wins during the remainder of the season but fared better in the 1927/28 campaign with half a dozen, including a double at Pershore. There were four wins in 1928/29, as well as a second place on Kwango in his only attempt over the Liverpool fences when beaten two lengths by Adam Tannock on Creebay at the end of the Molyneux Chase. He also had a ride in the 1929 Welsh Grand National at Cardiff but his mount, Mona Bridge, refused.
James had no more wins during the remainder of the season but fared better in the 1927/28 campaign with half a dozen, including a double at Pershore. There were four wins in 1928/29, as well as a second place on Kwango in his only attempt over the Liverpool fences when beaten two lengths by Adam Tannock on Creebay at the end of the Molyneux Chase. He also had a ride in the 1929 Welsh Grand National at Cardiff but his mount, Mona Bridge, refused.
His last victory was on the Ben Roberts-trained Dennis Orb, who won the Caerleon Selling Hurdle at Newport by a length on May 23, 1930. It was on the same course in the same race two years later that he had his final ride when Bold Venture finished third on May 20, 1932, the race being won by Staff Ingham on Knight Bachelor.
His last victory was on the Ben Roberts-trained Dennis Orb, who won the Caerleon Selling Hurdle at Newport by a length on May 23, 1930. It was on the same course in the same race two years later that he had his final ride when Bold Venture finished third on May 20, 1932, the race being won by Staff Ingham on Knight Bachelor.
James Middleton’s winners were, in chronological order:
James Middleton’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Leeds Rock, Bogside, July 24, 1926
1. Leeds Rock, Bogside, July 24, 1926
2. Fulfil, Catterick Bridge, July 30, 1926
2. Fulfil, Catterick Bridge, July 30, 1926
3. Caramond, Worcester, October 28, 1926
3. Caramond, Worcester, October 28, 1926
4. Marmot, Tenby Hunt, January 23, 1927
4. Marmot, Tenby Hunt, January 23, 1927
5. Cabrioley, Devon & Exeter, August 25, 1927
5. Cabrioley, Devon & Exeter, August 25, 1927
6. Piping Rock, Tenby Hunt, January 12, 1928
6. Piping Rock, Tenby Hunt, January 12, 1928
7. Ballywin, Pershore, May 7, 1928
7. Ballywin, Pershore, May 7, 1928
8. Cabriolet, Pershore, May 7, 1928
8. Cabriolet, Pershore, May 7, 1928
9. Formidable, Monmouth, May 9, 1928
9. Formidable, Monmouth, May 9, 1928
10. Cabriolet, Cheltenham, May 17, 1928
10. Cabriolet, Cheltenham, May 17, 1928
11. Suncourt, Shirley Park, September 10, 1928
11. Suncourt, Shirley Park, September 10, 1928
12. Suncourt, Monmouth, September 26, 1928
12. Suncourt, Monmouth, September 26, 1928
13. Suncourt, Ludlow, October 19, 1928
13. Suncourt, Ludlow, October 19, 1928
14. Bright Lass, Glamorgan Hunt (Cowbridge), May 21, 1929
14. Bright Lass, Glamorgan Hunt (Cowbridge), May 21, 1929
15. Suncourt, Leicester, January 21, 1930
15. Suncourt, Leicester, January 21, 1930
16. Dennis Orb, Newport, May 23, 1930
16. Dennis Orb, Newport, May 23, 1930
James landed a double at Pershore in 1928, starting with Ballywin
The second leg of James's double was Cabriolet
James's final winner, Denis Orb