Jim McLoughlin
Jim McLoughlin
Jim McLoughlin
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
A foggy afternoon at Catterick Bridge on the first day of December 1945, visibility so poor that no times were able to be recorded for the races. Emerging from the gloom in the opening event of the afternoon comes 100-7 chance Royal Sovereign, drawing clear to beat second favourite Perilous Record by five lengths in the Grove Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1). The man on board is Jim McLoughlin, registering the first win of his career. Three-year-old Royal Sovereign, trained by Eddie Magner, was taking on older horses so only had 9st 9lb to carry when including Jim McLoughlin’s claim.
A foggy afternoon at Catterick Bridge on the first day of December 1945, visibility so poor that no times were able to be recorded for the races. Emerging from the gloom in the opening event of the afternoon comes 100-7 chance Royal Sovereign, drawing clear to beat second favourite Perilous Record by five lengths in the Grove Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1). The man on board is Jim McLoughlin, registering the first win of his career. Three-year-old Royal Sovereign, trained by Eddie Magner, was taking on older horses so only had 9st 9lb to carry when including Jim McLoughlin’s claim.
Born in 1910, James Mcloughlin, known as Jim, went on to ride a dozen winners under National Hunt rules in the years following World War 2. His best season was in 1946/47, yielding five victories, but he only had six more over the next six years.
Born in 1910, James Mcloughlin, known as Jim, went on to ride a dozen winners under National Hunt rules in the years following World War 2. His best season was in 1946/47, yielding five victories, but he only had six more over the next six years.
He had no joy when tackling the fearsome Liverpool fences as all three of his rides fell. They were Tangerine II in the 1947 Stanley Chase, (a race in which only two of the 16 runners finished, and one of them was remounted), Mountain Cottage in the 1947 Becher Chase, and Holden Opinion in the 1950 Stanley Chase. He also finished down the field on Jolly in the 1947 Scottish Grand National at Bogside.
He had no joy when tackling the fearsome Liverpool fences as all three of his rides fell. They were Tangerine II in the 1947 Stanley Chase, (a race in which only two of the 16 runners finished, and one of them was remounted), Mountain Cottage in the 1947 Becher Chase, and Holden Opinion in the 1950 Stanley Chase. He also finished down the field on Jolly in the 1947 Scottish Grand National at Bogside.
Jim’s last four wins were all gained on an Easter Monday at a Market Rasen meeting, the final one being Redemption who took the Town Novices’ Chase on April 6, 1953 by four lengths.
Jim’s last four wins were all gained on an Easter Monday at a Market Rasen meeting, the final one being Redemption who took the Town Novices’ Chase on April 6, 1953 by four lengths.
He continued riding for some years, having his final ride at Market Rasen on May 9, 1959, when She’s Smart was unplaced in the Walesby Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2).
He continued riding for some years, having his final ride at Market Rasen on May 9, 1959, when She’s Smart was unplaced in the Walesby Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2).
Jim McLoughlin’s winners were, in chronological order:
Jim McLoughlin’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Royal Sovereign, Catterick Bridge, December 1, 1945
1. Royal Sovereign, Catterick Bridge, December 1, 1945
2. The reel, Southwell, September 30, 1946
2. The reel, Southwell, September 30, 1946
3. Dark Cottage, Nottingham, October 28, 1946
3. Dark Cottage, Nottingham, October 28, 1946
4. Our Teddy, Doncaster, December 7, 1946
4. Our Teddy, Doncaster, December 7, 1946
5. Tangerine II, Southwell, April 5, 1947
5. Tangerine II, Southwell, April 5, 1947
6. Last Loch, Southwell, April 21, 1947
6. Last Loch, Southwell, April 21, 1947
7. Miss Canada, Southwell, December 16, 1947
7. Miss Canada, Southwell, December 16, 1947
8. Wilcot-Don, Sedgefield, April 6, 1949
8. Wilcot-Don, Sedgefield, April 6, 1949
9. Wilcot-Don, Market Rasen, April 18, 1949
9. Wilcot-Don, Market Rasen, April 18, 1949
10. Contraband, Market Rasen, March 26, 1951
10. Contraband, Market Rasen, March 26, 1951
11. Matador II, Market Rasen, April 14, 1952
11. Matador II, Market Rasen, April 14, 1952
12. Redemption, Market Rasen, April 6, 1953
12. Redemption, Market Rasen, April 6, 1953
Royal Sovereign, Jim's first winner
Royal Sovereign, Jim's first winner
Redemptor, Jim's final winner
Redemptor, Jim's final winner