John McKie
1857-1934
1857-1934
Lieutenant-Colonel John McKie, D.S.O., O.B.E. was born at Bargaly, Kirkcudbrightshire, on May 9, 1857. He was a prominent Scottish amateur rider during the late 19th and early 20th century, amassing 152 winners over jumps.
Lieutenant-Colonel John McKie, D.S.O., O.B.E. was born at Bargaly, Kirkcudbrightshire, on May 9, 1857. He was a prominent Scottish amateur rider during the late 19th and early 20th century, amassing 152 winners over jumps.
According to ‘Burke’s Landed Gentry’ the McKie’s are a very old family in Galloway, being descended from the McKie’s of Larg. They obtained their lands from Robert the Bruce.
According to ‘Burke’s Landed Gentry’ the McKie’s are a very old family in Galloway, being descended from the McKie’s of Larg. They obtained their lands from Robert the Bruce.
John McKie had a very close and long association with Dumfriesshire sport. He was joint-Master of the Dumfriesshire Foxhounds for many seasons from 1885 with his brother-in-law Andrew Johnstone. Hunting in Dumfriesshire had been going on since 1816, when a Mr Hay of Duns Castle kept a pack of hounds. It lapsed for a few years until, in 1848, Joe Graham, a hunt servant, brought a few hounds to Lockerbie, which soon led to the establishment of the Dumfriesshire Hunt,
John McKie had a very close and long association with Dumfriesshire sport. He was joint-Master of the Dumfriesshire Foxhounds for many seasons from 1885 with his brother-in-law Andrew Johnstone. Hunting in Dumfriesshire had been going on since 1816, when a Mr Hay of Duns Castle kept a pack of hounds. It lapsed for a few years until, in 1848, Joe Graham, a hunt servant, brought a few hounds to Lockerbie, which soon led to the establishment of the Dumfriesshire Hunt,
Appropriately, John McKie registered his first two National Hunt victories with a double at the Dumfriesshire Hunt Steeplechases fixture on April 6, 1880, first riding his own horse Merriment to victory in the three-mile Dumfriesshire Hunt Cup for half-bred hunters, then landing the two-mile Home-bred Stakes for maiden hunters on Mr T. Graham’s Queen Bee II.
Appropriately, John McKie registered his first two National Hunt victories with a double at the Dumfriesshire Hunt Steeplechases fixture on April 6, 1880, first riding his own horse Merriment to victory in the three-mile Dumfriesshire Hunt Cup for half-bred hunters, then landing the two-mile Home-bred Stakes for maiden hunters on Mr T. Graham’s Queen Bee II.
He recorded a total of 30 wins at the annual Dumfriesshire Hunt National Hunt fixtures, including three more Dumfriesshire Hunt Cups on Red Gauntlet (1885), Hero (1888) and Hightae (1895). The meetings had a somewhat nomadic existence. In the late 1870s they were held in the village of Collin, near Dumfries, though by the mid-1890s they were taking place at Riggfoot, Carnsalloch. In 1901 it had another new venue, Justenlees, near Annan.
He recorded a total of 30 wins at the annual Dumfriesshire Hunt National Hunt fixtures, including three more Dumfriesshire Hunt Cups on Red Gauntlet (1885), Hero (1888) and Hightae (1895). The meetings had a somewhat nomadic existence. In the late 1870s they were held in the village of Collin, near Dumfries, though by the mid-1890s they were taking place at Riggfoot, Carnsalloch. In 1901 it had another new venue, Justenlees, near Annan.
Traditionally held on a Saturday in April, the Dumfriesshire Hunt Steeplechases fixture was essentially of local interest with the number of runners in each race rarely exceeding half a dozen. In an effort to increase field sizes, two hurdle races were introduced to the programme in 1912 but the meeting was one of many that field to reappear following the Great War, the last meeting having taken place on April 11, 1914.
Traditionally held on a Saturday in April, the Dumfriesshire Hunt Steeplechases fixture was essentially of local interest with the number of runners in each race rarely exceeding half a dozen. In an effort to increase field sizes, two hurdle races were introduced to the programme in 1912 but the meeting was one of many that field to reappear following the Great War, the last meeting having taken place on April 11, 1914.
John McKie was equally successful at Hamilton Park – which in those days staged jumping as well as Flat racing – winning 30 times there. He won 25 races at Bogside (known then as Eglinton Hunt) including three successive renewals of the Eglinton Farmers’ Cup on Auchengate (1883/84/85), and also landed the Hunt Cup there three times, twice on Newsboy (1893/94) and once on Arbour (1896).
John McKie was equally successful at Hamilton Park – which in those days staged jumping as well as Flat racing – winning 30 times there. He won 25 races at Bogside (known then as Eglinton Hunt) including three successive renewals of the Eglinton Farmers’ Cup on Auchengate (1883/84/85), and also landed the Hunt Cup there three times, twice on Newsboy (1893/94) and once on Arbour (1896).
Bogside was also the scene of by far his greatest success, which came when winning the 1886 Scottish Grand National on Crossbow. He finished third in the 1894 renewal on Passe Par Tout.
Bogside was also the scene of by far his greatest success, which came when winning the 1886 Scottish Grand National on Crossbow. He finished third in the 1894 renewal on Passe Par Tout.
In addition to hunting and riding in races, he acted as Steward at most of the race meetings in Scotland and the Border country and was elected a member of the Royal Caledonian Hunt Club in 1888.
In addition to hunting and riding in races, he acted as Steward at most of the race meetings in Scotland and the Border country and was elected a member of the Royal Caledonian Hunt Club in 1888.
On a rare foray south, he finished fourth on Harlequin in the 1891 National Hunt Chase, run that year at Hurst Park. Harlequin had finished second the previous year, ridden by Charlie Cunningham, when the race was held at Bogside. He was very lightly raced following his Hurst Park effort, his sole win being at the United Border Hunt meeting at Kelso in 1894, where he finished alone.
On a rare foray south, he finished fourth on Harlequin in the 1891 National Hunt Chase, run that year at Hurst Park. Harlequin had finished second the previous year, ridden by Charlie Cunningham, when the race was held at Bogside. He was very lightly raced following his Hurst Park effort, his sole win being at the United Border Hunt meeting at Kelso in 1894, where he finished alone.
John McKie ended 1892 in joint tenth place in the National Hunt jockeys’ championship (and joint fifth in the amateur riders’ championship) with a total of 18 winners. However, his most successful year numerically was in 1893 when he won 19 races
John McKie ended 1892 in joint tenth place in the National Hunt jockeys’ championship (and joint fifth in the amateur riders’ championship) with a total of 18 winners. However, his most successful year numerically was in 1893 when he won 19 races
Having previously ridden as ‘Mr’ John McKie, he was listed as ‘Major’ John McKie by 1903 – he subsequently attained the rank of lieutenant-colonel. By that time he had cut back on riding in races and appeared only occasionally. He rode his last winner on Canticle in the Ravenspark National Hunt Flat Race at Bogside on October 29, 1908.
Having previously ridden as ‘Mr’ John McKie, he was listed as ‘Major’ John McKie by 1903 – he subsequently attained the rank of lieutenant-colonel. By that time he had cut back on riding in races and appeared only occasionally. He rode his last winner on Canticle in the Ravenspark National Hunt Flat Race at Bogside on October 29, 1908.
Lieutenant-Colonel John McKie, D.S.O., O.B.E. died at Glencaird, Newton Stewart, on August 19, 1934.
Lieutenant-Colonel John McKie, D.S.O., O.B.E. died at Glencaird, Newton Stewart, on August 19, 1934.
A few weeks before his death, he had met with the well-known turf historian, author and racecourse official John Fairfax-Blakeborough, informing him that he recently had a cataract operation. Recalling the meeting in his diary, Fairfax-Blakeborough noted that McKie had “looked frail and was obviously aware that his days were numbered, for he quoted some resigned lines as we sat in the stewards’ room, which were new to me. Later, in a kindly letter recalling our pleasant meetings he repeated the lines:
A few weeks before his death, he had met with the well-known turf historian, author and racecourse official John Fairfax-Blakeborough, informing him that he recently had a cataract operation. Recalling the meeting in his diary, Fairfax-Blakeborough noted that McKie had “looked frail and was obviously aware that his days were numbered, for he quoted some resigned lines as we sat in the stewards’ room, which were new to me. Later, in a kindly letter recalling our pleasant meetings he repeated the lines:
Gone all the eagerness, morning’s gay blithesomeness,
Gone all the eagerness, morning’s gay blithesomeness,
Stiffening the muscles and wearing the brain;
Stiffening the muscles and wearing the brain;
Pleasant fatigue comes in lieu of blithesomeness
Pleasant fatigue comes in lieu of blithesomeness
Who would commence the day’s struggle again?
Who would commence the day’s struggle again?
Who will regret that the shadows are lengthening
Who will regret that the shadows are lengthening
Bidding us cease, and no further to roam,
Bidding us cease, and no further to roam,
Memory cheering us, sweet hope is strengthening us;
Memory cheering us, sweet hope is strengthening us;
Welcome the mandate – ’tis time to go home.”
Welcome the mandate – ’tis time to go home.”
When a discussion took place many years later in the pages of ‘Horse and Hound’ as to the best man across the shires at the commencement of the twentieth century, every list contained the name of ‘Johnnie’ McKie, and a contemporary paid this tribute: “No finer rider ever crossed the Shires. Never in a hurry, a quick eye, wonderful judgement, and perfect seat and hands. He never had his bad and good days, or good or bad horses. Every day and every horse was the same to him. He was just as good over steeplechase fences.”
When a discussion took place many years later in the pages of ‘Horse and Hound’ as to the best man across the shires at the commencement of the twentieth century, every list contained the name of ‘Johnnie’ McKie, and a contemporary paid this tribute: “No finer rider ever crossed the Shires. Never in a hurry, a quick eye, wonderful judgement, and perfect seat and hands. He never had his bad and good days, or good or bad horses. Every day and every horse was the same to him. He was just as good over steeplechase fences.”
In Volume 4 of his ‘Northern Turf History’, published in 1973, Fairfax-Blakeborough wrote: “Col. McKie was one of the few men of whom I never heard an unkind or depreciatory word spoken. He was a most modest, abstemious, gentle and kindly man, with a complex make-up in character. Trained in military discipline, bold and courageous in the saddle, he was more like an understanding father dealing with naughty children when punishment was called for after Stewards’ enquiries regarding the conduct of wrongdoers. He had the trust, respect and affection of all those actively engaged in turf affairs.”
In Volume 4 of his ‘Northern Turf History’, published in 1973, Fairfax-Blakeborough wrote: “Col. McKie was one of the few men of whom I never heard an unkind or depreciatory word spoken. He was a most modest, abstemious, gentle and kindly man, with a complex make-up in character. Trained in military discipline, bold and courageous in the saddle, he was more like an understanding father dealing with naughty children when punishment was called for after Stewards’ enquiries regarding the conduct of wrongdoers. He had the trust, respect and affection of all those actively engaged in turf affairs.”
The author also recalled an occasion in the 1920s when the King and Queen paid a visit to Hamilton Park races for the Royal Caledonian Hunt Club meeting. While they were standing at the weighing room door, Her Majesty said “Who is that tall, handsome man over there? We haven’t been introduced to him.”
The author also recalled an occasion in the 1920s when the King and Queen paid a visit to Hamilton Park races for the Royal Caledonian Hunt Club meeting. While they were standing at the weighing room door, Her Majesty said “Who is that tall, handsome man over there? We haven’t been introduced to him.”
Wrote Fairfax-Blakeborough: “Lord Hamilton of Dalzell thereupon called ‘Johnnie’ and presented the Colonel (who certainly did look very imposing in the club’s scarlet uniform) to their Majesties.”
Wrote Fairfax-Blakeborough: “Lord Hamilton of Dalzell thereupon called ‘Johnnie’ and presented the Colonel (who certainly did look very imposing in the club’s scarlet uniform) to their Majesties.”
Following his death, the John McKie Maiden Hunters’ Chase Challenge Cup was inaugurated on the Monday of Carlisle’s two-day Easter meeting in 1938, when it was won by Venturesome Knight, ridden by Major Guy Cunard. Two years later, Venturesome Knight would finish fifth behind Bogskar in the 1940 Grand National, partnered on that occasion by Reg Tweedie.
Following his death, the John McKie Maiden Hunters’ Chase Challenge Cup was inaugurated on the Monday of Carlisle’s two-day Easter meeting in 1938, when it was won by Venturesome Knight, ridden by Major Guy Cunard. Two years later, Venturesome Knight would finish fifth behind Bogskar in the 1940 Grand National, partnered on that occasion by Reg Tweedie.
Tweedie would go on to own and train undoubtedly the best horse to win the John McKie Maiden Hunters’ Chase, that being Freddie in 1963. Making his debut under National Hunt rules, the six-year-old won by a distance at the end of an eventful renewal which saw seven of the ten runners hit the deck.
Tweedie would go on to own and train undoubtedly the best horse to win the John McKie Maiden Hunters’ Chase, that being Freddie in 1963. Making his debut under National Hunt rules, the six-year-old won by a distance at the end of an eventful renewal which saw seven of the ten runners hit the deck.
The John McKie Maiden Hunters’ Chase remained part of Carlisle’s Easter Monday fixture for over sixty years, its last running under that name being in 1999. The race disappeared for good with the loss of Carlisle’s Easter Monday meeting in 2004 when it became a one-day affair on Easter Saturday.
The John McKie Maiden Hunters’ Chase remained part of Carlisle’s Easter Monday fixture for over sixty years, its last running under that name being in 1999. The race disappeared for good with the loss of Carlisle’s Easter Monday meeting in 2004 when it became a one-day affair on Easter Saturday.
