John Merchant
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Considering he had the backing of a powerful stable, it is perhaps surprising that John Merchant did not go on to forge a successful career over jumps. Weight problems may have been the cause of his early retirement after just three seasons, one as an amateur and two as a professional.
Considering he had the backing of a powerful stable, it is perhaps surprising that John Merchant did not go on to forge a successful career over jumps. Weight problems may have been the cause of his early retirement after just three seasons, one as an amateur and two as a professional.
John Philip Merchant was born on April 7, 1950. He began his career as an amateur and rode his first winner on Grecian Lord, trained by Basil Richmond, in the Holland Long Distance Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen on the second day of the new season, Monday, August 4, 1969. He rode four more winners that season, including a couple of two-mile chases on Rose Petition at Southwell and Sedgefield, plus a Taunton hunters’ chase on Bonnie Dundee for East Grinstead owner-trainer John de Lisle Wells.
John Philip Merchant was born on April 7, 1950. He began his career as an amateur and rode his first winner on Grecian Lord, trained by Basil Richmond, in the Holland Long Distance Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen on the second day of the new season, Monday, August 4, 1969. He rode four more winners that season, including a couple of two-mile chases on Rose Petition at Southwell and Sedgefield, plus a Taunton hunters’ chase on Bonnie Dundee for East Grinstead owner-trainer John de Lisle Wells.
John turned professional the following season and joined the mighty Fulke Walwyn stable, which was then at the height of its powers. He rode his first winner as a professional on Walwyn’s handicap hurdler Tanister at Plumpton on August Bank Holiday 1970, then won on him again at Stratford five days later, and once more at Southwell in October. Walwyn also supplied him with two winning rides on handicap chaser Ben Ruddock, at Wincanton on January 15 and Stratford on March 11, 1971.
John turned professional the following season and joined the mighty Fulke Walwyn stable, which was then at the height of its powers. He rode his first winner as a professional on Walwyn’s handicap hurdler Tanister at Plumpton on August Bank Holiday 1970, then won on him again at Stratford five days later, and once more at Southwell in October. Walwyn also supplied him with two winning rides on handicap chaser Ben Ruddock, at Wincanton on January 15 and Stratford on March 11, 1971.
Another trainer to utilise his services that season was Tony Dickinson – then training at Gisburn, in Lancashire and still a few years away from the likes of Gay Spartan and Silver Buck – who put John up on a winner by the name of Charming Fellow in a novice riders’ chase at Wolverhampton in October, and also on novice hurdler The Chisler at Southwell in April.
Another trainer to utilise his services that season was Tony Dickinson – then training at Gisburn, in Lancashire and still a few years away from the likes of Gay Spartan and Silver Buck – who put John up on a winner by the name of Charming Fellow in a novice riders’ chase at Wolverhampton in October, and also on novice hurdler The Chisler at Southwell in April.
John made virtually all to win on Tanister at Warwick on August 28, 1971.
John made virtually all to win on Tanister at Warwick on August 28, 1971.
He then rode a double at Huntingdon on October 23, aboard novice hurdler Centaur and handicap chaser Gameone. Three days later he won for a third time on Ben Ruddock, this time at Plumpton. And he won on him again over the same course and distance on December 20.
He then rode a double at Huntingdon on October 23, aboard novice hurdler Centaur and handicap chaser Gameone. Three days later he won for a third time on Ben Ruddock, this time at Plumpton. And he won on him again over the same course and distance on December 20.
But his victory on Fulke Walwyn’s On The Level at Windsor on January 22, 1972, was to be one of his last, for he had quit the saddle before the end of that season, having ridden a total of 26 winners.
But his victory on Fulke Walwyn’s On The Level at Windsor on January 22, 1972, was to be one of his last, for he had quit the saddle before the end of that season, having ridden a total of 26 winners.