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1929 - 2012
1929 - 2012
John Geoffrey Tristram Lawrence (later Lord Oaksey) was born in Sussex Gardens, not far from Paddington Station, on 21 March 1929 - the day before Gregalach beat 65 others to win the Grand National at 100-1.
John Geoffrey Tristram Lawrence (later Lord Oaksey) was born in Sussex Gardens, not far from Paddington Station, on 21 March 1929 - the day before Gregalach beat 65 others to win the Grand National at 100-1.
John, whose mother had driven an ambulance in France during the First World War, had three older sisters. In 1935, the family moved to Oaksey though, during the week, his father, a High Court judge remained in London.
John, whose mother had driven an ambulance in France during the First World War, had three older sisters. In 1935, the family moved to Oaksey though, during the week, his father, a High Court judge remained in London.
John's father was very enthusiastic about hunting and rode in point-to-points. He gave John his own pony called Mince Pie.
John's father was very enthusiastic about hunting and rode in point-to-points. He gave John his own pony called Mince Pie.
Aged nine, John was sent to Horris Hill, a prep school near Newbury, which he hated. In September, 1942, he joined Eton College.
Aged nine, John was sent to Horris Hill, a prep school near Newbury, which he hated. In September, 1942, he joined Eton College.
Kimble was a point-to point course near Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, unusual among such courses in that it boasted a water jump: it was here in 1951 that John rode his first winner, a mare called Next Of Kin.
Kimble was a point-to point course near Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, unusual among such courses in that it boasted a water jump: it was here in 1951 that John rode his first winner, a mare called Next Of Kin.
His first ride under National Hunt rules came on16 March 1956, aboard Pyrene. She finished fourth but gave John his first winner under Rules two weeks later when winning the Past & Present Hunter's Chase at Sandown.
His first ride under National Hunt rules came on16 March 1956, aboard Pyrene. She finished fourth but gave John his first winner under Rules two weeks later when winning the Past & Present Hunter's Chase at Sandown.
John began riding for Bob Turnell's stable in 1955: his first ride for the yard was Arctic Slave, which won easily.
John began riding for Bob Turnell's stable in 1955: his first ride for the yard was Arctic Slave, which won easily.
It was around this time that John wrote to the Daily Telegraph, seeking employment as a racing journalist. Getting the job, he wrote under the nom de plume of Marlborough.
It was around this time that John wrote to the Daily Telegraph, seeking employment as a racing journalist. Getting the job, he wrote under the nom de plume of Marlborough.
In November 1957, John - riding Foolish Man in a novice chase at Plumpton - scored for the first time against professionals.
In November 1957, John - riding Foolish Man in a novice chase at Plumpton - scored for the first time against professionals.
On Saturday 22 March, 1958, John won his first big race, the Imperial Cup at Sandown aboard Flaming East.
On Saturday 22 March, 1958, John won his first big race, the Imperial Cup at Sandown aboard Flaming East.
Trainer Fulke Walwyn then offered John the ride on six-year-old Taxidermist (left) in the Kim Muir Chase at Cheltenham. They finished second, but Walwyn was impressed enough to offer John the ride in the Whitbread.
Trainer Fulke Walwyn then offered John the ride on six-year-old Taxidermist (left) in the Kim Muir Chase at Cheltenham. They finished second, but Walwyn was impressed enough to offer John the ride in the Whitbread.
This was a new race and the first ever commercially sponsored. Much Obliged had won the inaugural race in 1957 and was second favourite in the betting behind top weight Mandarin. At the Pond fence, Mandarin, leading, Much Obliged, Kerstin and Taxidermist were the only four still in the race.
This was a new race and the first ever commercially sponsored. Much Obliged had won the inaugural race in 1957 and was second favourite in the betting behind top weight Mandarin. At the Pond fence, Mandarin, leading, Much Obliged, Kerstin and Taxidermist were the only four still in the race.
Mandarin, ridden by Gerry Madden, and Taxidermist jumped the last together. Mandarin, shackled by his huge weight, could not quicken up the hill, and Taxidermist strode away for an easy victory.
Mandarin, ridden by Gerry Madden, and Taxidermist jumped the last together. Mandarin, shackled by his huge weight, could not quicken up the hill, and Taxidermist strode away for an easy victory.
That win on Taxidermist was one of 18 which John rode in the 1957-58 season, enough to make him champion amateur.
That win on Taxidermist was one of 18 which John rode in the 1957-58 season, enough to make him champion amateur.
Taxidermist was then aimed at the Hennessey Gold Cup at Cheltenham and once again faced Mandarin and Kerstin. Mandarin, again asked to carry top-weight, was odds on. Because of the ever-softening going, Taxidermist drifted out to 10-1.
Taxidermist was then aimed at the Hennessey Gold Cup at Cheltenham and once again faced Mandarin and Kerstin. Mandarin, again asked to carry top-weight, was odds on. Because of the ever-softening going, Taxidermist drifted out to 10-1.
John's orders had been explicit - he was not to persevere if his chance had gone. And that appeared to be the case as the field swept downhill with Kerstin some 10 lengths clear of Taxidermist, who hated racing downhill.
John's orders had been explicit - he was not to persevere if his chance had gone. And that appeared to be the case as the field swept downhill with Kerstin some 10 lengths clear of Taxidermist, who hated racing downhill.
Everything changed in the straight with John's mount gradually making up the lost ground. The two horses charged past the winning post together with both jockeys thinking that Kerstin had just held on.
Everything changed in the straight with John's mount gradually making up the lost ground. The two horses charged past the winning post together with both jockeys thinking that Kerstin had just held on.
They were wrong, and in the space of a year, John Lawrence (as he was then) had won the Imperial Cup, Whitbread and Hennessy, a remarkable performance for an amateur.
They were wrong, and in the space of a year, John Lawrence (as he was then) had won the Imperial Cup, Whitbread and Hennessy, a remarkable performance for an amateur.
But there was cruel disappointment too; in March 1963, he came second on Carrickbeg in the Grand National having jumped the last fence four lengths in front of the Pat Buckley-ridden Ayala. 50 yards from the winning post, Carrickbeg sprawled and changed its legs. The rhythm had gone; so, too, the first prize.
But there was cruel disappointment too; in March 1963, he came second on Carrickbeg in the Grand National having jumped the last fence four lengths in front of the Pat Buckley-ridden Ayala. 50 yards from the winning post, Carrickbeg sprawled and changed its legs. The rhythm had gone; so, too, the first prize.
As Lord Oaksey, he was champion amateur rider in 1970-71. He rode 205 winners during his career. Besides the aforementioned 1956 Imperial Cup victory and his 1958 Hennessy and Whitbread Gold Cup triumphs on Taxidermist, his other big wins included the 1959 National Hunt Chase on Sabaria, the Kim Muir twice on Jimmy Scott (1966) and Black Baize (1971), and the Liverpool Foxhunters twice on Subaltern (1966) and Bullock's Horn (1973)
As Lord Oaksey, he was champion amateur rider in 1970-71. He rode 205 winners during his career. Besides the aforementioned 1956 Imperial Cup victory and his 1958 Hennessy and Whitbread Gold Cup triumphs on Taxidermist, his other big wins included the 1959 National Hunt Chase on Sabaria, the Kim Muir twice on Jimmy Scott (1966) and Black Baize (1971), and the Liverpool Foxhunters twice on Subaltern (1966) and Bullock's Horn (1973)
Aged 63 in 1992, John took part in a charity race at Ascot. He rode Kaybayil and was always struggling. He decided then and there to hang up his geriatric riding boots. He'd had a good run.
Aged 63 in 1992, John took part in a charity race at Ascot. He rode Kaybayil and was always struggling. He decided then and there to hang up his geriatric riding boots. He'd had a good run.
He died on September 5, 2012, aged 83.
He died on September 5, 2012, aged 83.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1958: Imperial Cup – Flaming East
1958: Imperial Cup – Flaming East
1958: Whitbread Gold Cup – Taxidermist
1958: Whitbread Gold Cup – Taxidermist
1958: Hennessy Gold Cup – Taxidermist
1958: Hennessy Gold Cup – Taxidermist
1959: National Hunt Chase – Sabaria
1959: National Hunt Chase – Sabaria
1963: Moet and Chandon Silver Magnum – Thames Trader
1963: Moet and Chandon Silver Magnum – Thames Trader
1964: Moet and Chandon Silver Magnum – King Chesnut
1964: Moet and Chandon Silver Magnum – King Chesnut
1965: Moet and Chandon Silver Magnum – Prince Hansel
1965: Moet and Chandon Silver Magnum – Prince Hansel
1966: Kim Muir Memorial Chase – Jimmy Scot
1966: Kim Muir Memorial Chase – Jimmy Scot
1966: Liverpool Fox Hunters’ Chase – Subaltern
1966: Liverpool Fox Hunters’ Chase – Subaltern
1967: Horse and Hound Cup Champion Hunters’ Chase – Cham
1967: Horse and Hound Cup Champion Hunters’ Chase – Cham
1971: Kim Muir Memorial Chase – Black Baize
1971: Kim Muir Memorial Chase – Black Baize
1971: Benson and Hedges Handicap Chase – Happy Medium
1971: Benson and Hedges Handicap Chase – Happy Medium
1973: Cheltenham Foxhunters’ Chase – Bullock’s Horn
1973: Cheltenham Foxhunters’ Chase – Bullock’s Horn
1973: Liverpool Fox Hunters’ Chase – Bullock’s Horn
1973: Liverpool Fox Hunters’ Chase – Bullock’s Horn
1973: Moet and Chandon Silver Magnum – Sol ‘Argent
1973: Moet and Chandon Silver Magnum – Sol ‘Argent
1975: George Coney Challenge Cup Handicap Chase – Clonmellon
1975: George Coney Challenge Cup Handicap Chase – Clonmellon
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