John McLaughlin
John Fletcher Stephen McLaughlin was born in London on October 2, 1958. His family moved to Newmarket when he was a young boy. Like many enthusiastic youngsters, he worked in the stables before and after school.
John Fletcher Stephen McLaughlin was born in London on October 2, 1958. His family moved to Newmarket when he was a young boy. Like many enthusiastic youngsters, he worked in the stables before and after school.
He became apprenticed to Doug Smith when leaving school in 1975. He left school on the Wednesday and had his first ride in public on the Saturday. He then had a spell with another Newmarket trainer, Peter Poston, before moving north to join John Bingham and Geoff Huffer in Doncaster.
He became apprenticed to Doug Smith when leaving school in 1975. He left school on the Wednesday and had his first ride in public on the Saturday. He then had a spell with another Newmarket trainer, Peter Poston, before moving north to join John Bingham and Geoff Huffer in Doncaster.
When his weight started to increase, Huffer persuaded him to take out a National Hunt jockey’s licence. That was in 1978 and he concentrated on riding in hurdle races for the next 10 years, riding his share of winners but no big ones. His summers were spent riding in Scandinavia, bringing his combined total of winners to 130.
When his weight started to increase, Huffer persuaded him to take out a National Hunt jockey’s licence. That was in 1978 and he concentrated on riding in hurdle races for the next 10 years, riding his share of winners but no big ones. His summers were spent riding in Scandinavia, bringing his combined total of winners to 130.
He was enjoying his best season in 1987/88 with 10 wins on the board when things turned sour. A bad fall in February 1988 and subsequent complications resulted in him being unable to ride again for almost two years. He kept fit by riding out for Newmarket trainers Mick Ryan, Jeff Pearce and Ian Matthews.
He was enjoying his best season in 1987/88 with 10 wins on the board when things turned sour. A bad fall in February 1988 and subsequent complications resulted in him being unable to ride again for almost two years. He kept fit by riding out for Newmarket trainers Mick Ryan, Jeff Pearce and Ian Matthews.
He returned to race-riding in December 1989 and rode a winner in his first week back, courtesy of Ian Matthews’ Stage Player at Leicester. Thereafter he rode as stable jockey for Jeff Pearce and enjoyed a decent season in 1990/91, riding eight winners. He also had a few rides on the Flat around that time but relinquished his Flat jockey’s licence in 1993,
He returned to race-riding in December 1989 and rode a winner in his first week back, courtesy of Ian Matthews’ Stage Player at Leicester. Thereafter he rode as stable jockey for Jeff Pearce and enjoyed a decent season in 1990/91, riding eight winners. He also had a few rides on the Flat around that time but relinquished his Flat jockey’s licence in 1993,
John rode his last winner on the Pearce-trained Tervel in the Port Seton Maiden Hurdle at Edinburgh on 25 February 1995 though he continued to ride occasionally for a couple more seasons.
John rode his last winner on the Pearce-trained Tervel in the Port Seton Maiden Hurdle at Edinburgh on 25 February 1995 though he continued to ride occasionally for a couple more seasons.