John Morris
John Morris
John Morris
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
John Monk Morris rode three winners in the 1952/53 National Hunt campaign, including a double, but that was all. His inability to ride at less than 10st 13lb undoubtedly compromised his career and resulted in his time in the saddle lasting no more than one season.
John Monk Morris rode three winners in the 1952/53 National Hunt campaign, including a double, but that was all. His inability to ride at less than 10st 13lb undoubtedly compromised his career and resulted in his time in the saddle lasting no more than one season.
He had his first ride on October 11, 1952 when pulling up Nigger Minstrel in the Ross Handicap Chase at Chepstow, putting up 15lb overweight. John had three more rides on the gelding, being placed twice before recording a decisive victory in the Three Mile Handicap Chase at Towcester on November 15, beating Comeragh, the mount of Jim Mumford, by ten lengths.
He had his first ride on October 11, 1952 when pulling up Nigger Minstrel in the Ross Handicap Chase at Chepstow, putting up 15lb overweight. John had three more rides on the gelding, being placed twice before recording a decisive victory in the Three Mile Handicap Chase at Towcester on November 15, beating Comeragh, the mount of Jim Mumford, by ten lengths.
John doubled his score in the very next race on the Towcester card when Peros took the Whittlebury Chase in equally comfortable fashion, with eight lengths to the runner-up Night Sky, ridden by Grand National-winning jockey Johnny Bullock. Both winners were trained by their owner, permit holder Mr A. A. Walton, based at Streatley, Berkshire. John rode Peros five more times that season and was placed twice.
John doubled his score in the very next race on the Towcester card when Peros took the Whittlebury Chase in equally comfortable fashion, with eight lengths to the runner-up Night Sky, ridden by Grand National-winning jockey Johnny Bullock. Both winners were trained by their owner, permit holder Mr A. A. Walton, based at Streatley, Berkshire. John rode Peros five more times that season and was placed twice.
After losing the ride on Nigger Minstrel for a while, the pair were reunited and registered their second victory together back at Towcester on April 25, 1953, in the Haversham Handicap Chase, finishing five lengths clear of Alf Mullins on Hierba.
After losing the ride on Nigger Minstrel for a while, the pair were reunited and registered their second victory together back at Towcester on April 25, 1953, in the Haversham Handicap Chase, finishing five lengths clear of Alf Mullins on Hierba.
John was again obliged to put up overweight, this time 5lb, for that Towcester victory, and that seems the likeliest explanation as to why he was not seen again after finishing fourth on Golosina in the Novices’ Hurdle at West Norfolk Hunt (known today as Fakenham) on Whit Monday, May 25, 1953.
John was again obliged to put up overweight, this time 5lb, for that Towcester victory, and that seems the likeliest explanation as to why he was not seen again after finishing fourth on Golosina in the Novices’ Hurdle at West Norfolk Hunt (known today as Fakenham) on Whit Monday, May 25, 1953.
John Morris landed a double, Nigger Minstrel & Peros, at Towcester on November 15, 1952
John Morris landed a double, Nigger Minstrel & Peros, at Towcester on November 15, 1952
John's third and final winner, Nigger Minstrel, came at Towcester on April 25, 1953