Skeets Martin
1875 – 1944
1875 – 1944
John Henry Martin – commonly referred to as Skeets Martin – was born on January 25th 1875 in Titusville, Pennsylvania, America. When, in 1890, his family relocated to Santa Clara, Martin, then 15, began an apprenticeship at the local racetrack. In 1896 he rode his first winner (La Mascota 100/1) and it was here that he acquired his nickname because he looked like a tiny mosquito when riding.
John Henry Martin – commonly referred to as Skeets Martin – was born on January 25th 1875 in Titusville, Pennsylvania, America. When, in 1890, his family relocated to Santa Clara, Martin, then 15, began an apprenticeship at the local racetrack. In 1896 he rode his first winner (La Mascota 100/1) and it was here that he acquired his nickname because he looked like a tiny mosquito when riding.
He and fellow jockey Tod Sloan both rode for George.G.Smith, a notorious gambler (who went by the name of Pittsburgh Phil). Sloan was the better rider and Martin often finished up on his less successful runners. In 1899, Martin was contracted to ride for John Daly and did so with considerable success, but perverse rumours of him having thrown some races began to circulate and his career in the U.S was over. He had ridden 269 winners out of 1,257 rides.
He and fellow jockey Tod Sloan both rode for George.G.Smith, a notorious gambler (who went by the name of Pittsburgh Phil). Sloan was the better rider and Martin often finished up on his less successful runners. In 1899, Martin was contracted to ride for John Daly and did so with considerable success, but perverse rumours of him having thrown some races began to circulate and his career in the U.S was over. He had ridden 269 winners out of 1,257 rides.
In June of that year and on the advice of his friend Tod Sloan, he travelled to England, seeking work. He was an immediate success – riding under the name of J.H.Martin, he won his first race in August on Lord Beresford’s horse Blacksmith. His first season was to yield 48 winners from 138 mounts.
In June of that year and on the advice of his friend Tod Sloan, he travelled to England, seeking work. He was an immediate success – riding under the name of J.H.Martin, he won his first race in August on Lord Beresford’s horse Blacksmith. His first season was to yield 48 winners from 138 mounts.
Martin was an aggressive rider, and in 1900 his licence was suspended for two months. The following season the Jockey Club refused to renew his licence due to his rough racing style. After a stint riding in Germany, his licence was reinstated for 1902. He rode Ard Patrick to win that year’s Derby enjoyed continued success until a fall in August smashed his collarbone and put him out for the season.
Martin was an aggressive rider, and in 1900 his licence was suspended for two months. The following season the Jockey Club refused to renew his licence due to his rough racing style. After a stint riding in Germany, his licence was reinstated for 1902. He rode Ard Patrick to win that year’s Derby enjoyed continued success until a fall in August smashed his collarbone and put him out for the season.
Martin returned fighting fit for the 1903 season and promptly won the 2,000 Guineas on Rock Sand. This was a chance mount as Danny Maher would have ridden the colt had he not been claimed for Flotsam. He then pursued a steady if not spectacular career in the saddle marred by suspensions (one for eight months) and falls. Martin was runner up in the Jockeys’ Title in 1917.
Martin returned fighting fit for the 1903 season and promptly won the 2,000 Guineas on Rock Sand. This was a chance mount as Danny Maher would have ridden the colt had he not been claimed for Flotsam. He then pursued a steady if not spectacular career in the saddle marred by suspensions (one for eight months) and falls. Martin was runner up in the Jockeys’ Title in 1917.
He retired from racing in the early 1920’s., and, in 1932 has settled St Moritz. Racing had brought him riches – he had homes in Newmarket, California and Switzerland. Then, after several bad property investments, he fell on hard times.
He retired from racing in the early 1920’s., and, in 1932 has settled St Moritz. Racing had brought him riches – he had homes in Newmarket, California and Switzerland. Then, after several bad property investments, he fell on hard times.
Back home, his racing friends and others involved in British curling and tobogganing, founded a “Skeets Fund” which paid an annual subscription for his upkeep. Then war broke out and the fund money could not be transferred safely. Martin was left destitute. St Moritz parish paid him a small pension and, as his physical and mental state grew worse, put him in the Realta home where he spent the last 3 years of his life.
Back home, his racing friends and others involved in British curling and tobogganing, founded a “Skeets Fund” which paid an annual subscription for his upkeep. Then war broke out and the fund money could not be transferred safely. Martin was left destitute. St Moritz parish paid him a small pension and, as his physical and mental state grew worse, put him in the Realta home where he spent the last 3 years of his life.
He died destitute at a nursing home in Realta, Switzerland on 9th March, 1944.
He died destitute at a nursing home in Realta, Switzerland on 9th March, 1944.
His funeral was attended by only three mourners, representing the St Moritz Race Club. Skeets Martin had been a popular figure at St Moritz having ridden many a winner on the snow-covered lakes there. He had also been an expert performer on the cresta Run and Curling Rink.
His funeral was attended by only three mourners, representing the St Moritz Race Club. Skeets Martin had been a popular figure at St Moritz having ridden many a winner on the snow-covered lakes there. He had also been an expert performer on the cresta Run and Curling Rink.
Skeets was badly hurt in a tobogganing accident in February, 1914.
Skeets was badly hurt in a tobogganing accident in February, 1914.
He was not a lucky classic jockey. He finished second on Pistol (Two Thousand Guineas, 1902), Somme Kiss (Two Thousand Guineas, 1918), Radiancy (One Thousand Guineas, 1911), and Hammerkop (Oaks, 1903). He came third on Trontbeck behind Spearmint in the 1906 Derby, and, in 1909, rode the Derby favourite, Sir Martin. It fell.
He was not a lucky classic jockey. He finished second on Pistol (Two Thousand Guineas, 1902), Somme Kiss (Two Thousand Guineas, 1918), Radiancy (One Thousand Guineas, 1911), and Hammerkop (Oaks, 1903). He came third on Trontbeck behind Spearmint in the 1906 Derby, and, in 1909, rode the Derby favourite, Sir Martin. It fell.
!n 1907, Skeets rode for a while in Hungary. His best friend, Danny Maher, would often spend the winter with him, himself recuperating from a summer’s hard dieting.
!n 1907, Skeets rode for a while in Hungary. His best friend, Danny Maher, would often spend the winter with him, himself recuperating from a summer’s hard dieting.
'...Skeets Martin was a wonderful jockey on a two-year-old; he had the most beautiful hands, and we all used to be anxious to get him to ride our two-year-olds at home. There was no more obliging fellow in the world, and he was always ready to ride a gallop for you, even if he had no chance of riding the horse in a race...'
'...Skeets Martin was a wonderful jockey on a two-year-old; he had the most beautiful hands, and we all used to be anxious to get him to ride our two-year-olds at home. There was no more obliging fellow in the world, and he was always ready to ride a gallop for you, even if he had no chance of riding the horse in a race...'
Top trainer George Lambton, writing in 1924.
Top trainer George Lambton, writing in 1924.