John Matthias
1953 - 2018
1953 - 2018
John James Matthias was born in Islington, London on October 13, 1953, and worked almost exclusively for trainer Ian Balding at the Kingsclere stables.
John James Matthias was born in Islington, London on October 13, 1953, and worked almost exclusively for trainer Ian Balding at the Kingsclere stables.
He spent six years as an apprentice there winning, in 1974, the Crown Plus Two Apprentice Championship and a working holiday in Kenya for his efforts. This whetted his appetite for racing abroad and he spent the winter of 1983 riding in Jamaica.
He spent six years as an apprentice there winning, in 1974, the Crown Plus Two Apprentice Championship and a working holiday in Kenya for his efforts. This whetted his appetite for racing abroad and he spent the winter of 1983 riding in Jamaica.
John's first win came on Garden Games at Beverley on 6 May, 1972, when replacing apprentice M. Hetherton at the last minute. His best season, numerically, came in 1980, with 41 winners.
John's first win came on Garden Games at Beverley on 6 May, 1972, when replacing apprentice M. Hetherton at the last minute. His best season, numerically, came in 1980, with 41 winners.
His first major win came in the 1978 Cesarewitch aboard Centurion and, in 1981, he rode Glint of Gold into second place in both the Derby and the St Leger.
His first major win came in the 1978 Cesarewitch aboard Centurion and, in 1981, he rode Glint of Gold into second place in both the Derby and the St Leger.
Unfortunately, leading owners can be a fickle bunch and Ian Balding was forced to take action. Sacking John in September 1982 he said 'I am sorry John is going but my owners have told me to find someone new.'
Unfortunately, leading owners can be a fickle bunch and Ian Balding was forced to take action. Sacking John in September 1982 he said 'I am sorry John is going but my owners have told me to find someone new.'
John said 'I'm upset and disappointed. Glint of Gold has been beaten a couple of times this season and I may be getting the blame for that.'
John said 'I'm upset and disappointed. Glint of Gold has been beaten a couple of times this season and I may be getting the blame for that.'
Having won the 1981 Grand Prix de Paris on Glint of Gold and the 1980 Prix Vermeille on Mrs Penny, the sacking could have been seen as rather harsh.
Having won the 1981 Grand Prix de Paris on Glint of Gold and the 1980 Prix Vermeille on Mrs Penny, the sacking could have been seen as rather harsh.
He continued to ride for the stable in a reduced capacity until the end of the season.
He continued to ride for the stable in a reduced capacity until the end of the season.
He took up a two-year riding contract in Hong Kong followed by a short stint in Dubai and hung up his saddle in 1993 when getting the opportunity to train there.
He took up a two-year riding contract in Hong Kong followed by a short stint in Dubai and hung up his saddle in 1993 when getting the opportunity to train there.
He said: "I trained over there for five years and it was great experience. You couldn't afford to do it in this country but it's a different story when Sheikh Mohammed sets you up."
He said: "I trained over there for five years and it was great experience. You couldn't afford to do it in this country but it's a different story when Sheikh Mohammed sets you up."
As happens now, Matthias often had to step aside to allow more so-called 'fashionable' jockeys to take his best rides but he has no regrets and still has fabulous memories of riding some terrific horses.
As happens now, Matthias often had to step aside to allow more so-called 'fashionable' jockeys to take his best rides but he has no regrets and still has fabulous memories of riding some terrific horses.
"Glint Of Gold had to be the best colt I rode and we were second to Shergar in the 1981 Derby. He was a decent horse and we won a Group 1 together in Germany.
"Glint Of Gold had to be the best colt I rode and we were second to Shergar in the 1981 Derby. He was a decent horse and we won a Group 1 together in Germany.
"Mrs Penny - the classiest filly I rode - won the Cheveley Park and Cherry Hinton Stakes. Silver Fling, Robellino and Dashing Blade were other good ones.
"Mrs Penny - the classiest filly I rode - won the Cheveley Park and Cherry Hinton Stakes. Silver Fling, Robellino and Dashing Blade were other good ones.
"Working at Kingsclere was a great job as you knew there was going to be top-class horses turning up all the time."
"Working at Kingsclere was a great job as you knew there was going to be top-class horses turning up all the time."
Matthias recalls riding plenty of winners at Ayr and Hamilton but Musselburgh was the only track in the UK where he never managed to be first past the post.
Matthias recalls riding plenty of winners at Ayr and Hamilton but Musselburgh was the only track in the UK where he never managed to be first past the post.
"It wasn't for the lack of trying as I was beaten a short-head on at least two occasions."
"It wasn't for the lack of trying as I was beaten a short-head on at least two occasions."
By 2001, life turned full circle for John and he was back at the historic stables employed as a top work rider.
By 2001, life turned full circle for John and he was back at the historic stables employed as a top work rider.
He said at the time "I obviously miss the race-riding but I had trouble with my weight and I don't miss all the dieting and saunas. I wouldn't want to come back and do what the lads have to go through now as it took us two hours 20 minutes to get to Bath recently one Friday when it's normally a fifty-minute journey. It seems now that if you don't fly you can't compete at the top level."
He said at the time "I obviously miss the race-riding but I had trouble with my weight and I don't miss all the dieting and saunas. I wouldn't want to come back and do what the lads have to go through now as it took us two hours 20 minutes to get to Bath recently one Friday when it's normally a fifty-minute journey. It seems now that if you don't fly you can't compete at the top level."
After a long illness, John Matthias died on Friday, 25 May, 2018. He was 64.
After a long illness, John Matthias died on Friday, 25 May, 2018. He was 64.
John finished second in both the 1981 Derby and St Leger on Glint Of Gold.
John finished second in both the 1981 Derby and St Leger on Glint Of Gold.
He rode a total of 424 winners in Britain.
He rode a total of 424 winners in Britain.
Big winners
Big winners
1977: City and Suburban Handicap – Turnpike
1977: City and Suburban Handicap – Turnpike
1978: Cesarewitch Handicap – Centurion
1978: Cesarewitch Handicap – Centurion
1979: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Mrs Penny
1979: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Mrs Penny
1979: Cheveley Park Stakes – Mrs Penny
1979: Cheveley Park Stakes – Mrs Penny
1980: Royal Lodge Stakes – Robellino
1980: Royal Lodge Stakes – Robellino
1980: Fillies’ Mile – Leap Lively
1980: Fillies’ Mile – Leap Lively
1981: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Leap Lively
1981: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Leap Lively
1984: Andy Capp Handicap – Elegant Air
1984: Andy Capp Handicap – Elegant Air
1985: Gordon Richards Stakes – Elegant Air
1985: Gordon Richards Stakes – Elegant Air
1989: Palace House Stakes – Silver Fling
1989: Palace House Stakes – Silver Fling
1989: Dewhurst Stakes – Dashing Blade
1989: Dewhurst Stakes – Dashing Blade
In France
In France
1980: Prix Vermeille – Mrs Penny
1980: Prix Vermeille – Mrs Penny
1981: Grand Prix de Paris – Glint Of Gold
1981: Grand Prix de Paris – Glint Of Gold