John Mansfield
Amateur rider John Frederick Mansfield was born on January 11, 1946. He started young, joining Syd Mercer when 12 years old, and then gaining experience with Fulke Walwyn and Derek Ancil. He had his first ride in public when only 13 for Walwyn, finishing second on hurdler Owen’s Image at Taunton on December 28, 1959.
Amateur rider John Frederick Mansfield was born on January 11, 1946. He started young, joining Syd Mercer when 12 years old, and then gaining experience with Fulke Walwyn and Derek Ancil. He had his first ride in public when only 13 for Walwyn, finishing second on hurdler Owen’s Image at Taunton on December 28, 1959.
Aged 14, he rode his first two winners within a week on Derek Ancil’s Wayward Damsel, firstly in the Droitwich Handicap Chase at Birmingham on December 12, 1960 and then at Uttoxeter five days later.
Aged 14, he rode his first two winners within a week on Derek Ancil’s Wayward Damsel, firstly in the Droitwich Handicap Chase at Birmingham on December 12, 1960 and then at Uttoxeter five days later.
He rode three winners in the 1961/62 season, selling hurdler Obadan at Hereford on Easter Monday and a double at the same course on Whit Monday. He had three more winners from 82 rides the following season, including Sea Flier in the Empress Elizabeth of Austria Hunters’ Chase at Towcester on Easter Monday. He also finished second an unlucky 13 times that season.
He rode three winners in the 1961/62 season, selling hurdler Obadan at Hereford on Easter Monday and a double at the same course on Whit Monday. He had three more winners from 82 rides the following season, including Sea Flier in the Empress Elizabeth of Austria Hunters’ Chase at Towcester on Easter Monday. He also finished second an unlucky 13 times that season.
He was still only 17 when riding 66/1 outsider Merganser in the 1963 Grand National. Unfortunately, they got no further than the third fence.
He was still only 17 when riding 66/1 outsider Merganser in the 1963 Grand National. Unfortunately, they got no further than the third fence.
John rode just one more winner under National Rules, that being on Top Note III for Cheshire owner-trainer Lt-Col E. B. Studd at Towcester on Easter Monday 1964. He had to put up 1lb overweight to ride at 11st 6lb that day, so it was almost certainly rising weight that curtailed his nascent career in the saddle – a career that had started so young and yet was pretty much over while still a teenager.
John rode just one more winner under National Rules, that being on Top Note III for Cheshire owner-trainer Lt-Col E. B. Studd at Towcester on Easter Monday 1964. He had to put up 1lb overweight to ride at 11st 6lb that day, so it was almost certainly rising weight that curtailed his nascent career in the saddle – a career that had started so young and yet was pretty much over while still a teenager.
The nearest he got to winning a race during the 1964/65 campaign was when finishing second twice on his old ally Obadan, at Hereford in October and at Towcester over Easter. Sadly, 12-year-old Obadan then suffered a fatal injury at Towcester on Whit Monday.
The nearest he got to winning a race during the 1964/65 campaign was when finishing second twice on his old ally Obadan, at Hereford in October and at Towcester over Easter. Sadly, 12-year-old Obadan then suffered a fatal injury at Towcester on Whit Monday.
John continued to take the occasional mount in hunter chases, where weight was not so much of an issue. In April 1969 he had three such rides on Pirolace, finishing third at Hereford, second (beaten a head) at Uttoxeter and third again at Warwick. However, those efforts were the closest he came to riding another winner under National Hunt rules.
John continued to take the occasional mount in hunter chases, where weight was not so much of an issue. In April 1969 he had three such rides on Pirolace, finishing third at Hereford, second (beaten a head) at Uttoxeter and third again at Warwick. However, those efforts were the closest he came to riding another winner under National Hunt rules.
John Mansfield’s winners were, in chronological order:
John Mansfield’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Wayward Damsel, Birmingham, December 12, 1960
1. Wayward Damsel, Birmingham, December 12, 1960
2. Wayward Damsel, Uttoxeter, December 17, 1960
2. Wayward Damsel, Uttoxeter, December 17, 1960
3. Obadan, Hereford, April 23, 1962
3. Obadan, Hereford, April 23, 1962
4. Obadan, Hereford, June 11, 1962
4. Obadan, Hereford, June 11, 1962
5. Borrowed Gold, Hereford, June 11, 1962e
5. Borrowed Gold, Hereford, June 11, 1962e
6. Domacile, Stratford-on-Avon, October 25, 1962
6. Domacile, Stratford-on-Avon, October 25, 1962
7. Welsh Bard, Wolverhampton, November 20, 1962
7. Welsh Bard, Wolverhampton, November 20, 1962
8. Sea Flier, Towcester, April 15, 1963
8. Sea Flier, Towcester, April 15, 1963
9. Top Note III, Towcester, March 30, 1964
9. Top Note III, Towcester, March 30, 1964