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Jack Ruttle
Jack Ruttle
1877-1948
1877-1948
Irishman John James Ruttle, popularly known as Jack, is best remembered as the trainer of 1939 Grand National winner Workman. However, prior to embarking on a successful training career he was a noted steeplechase jockey who had more than 70 wins in Ireland to his credit.
Irishman John James Ruttle, popularly known as Jack, is best remembered as the trainer of 1939 Grand National winner Workman. However, prior to embarking on a successful training career he was a noted steeplechase jockey who had more than 70 wins in Ireland to his credit.
Born in 1877, he had just one success in Britain, that coming at the Tenby Hunt meeting on January 29, 1903, when Irish challenger Old Tim landed the Knightston Selling Hurdle, scoring by two lengths. Ther six-year-old had won one race from 17 starts in Ireland during the previous year with Jack as his regular pilot.
Born in 1877, he had just one success in Britain, that coming at the Tenby Hunt meeting on January 29, 1903, when Irish challenger Old Tim landed the Knightston Selling Hurdle, scoring by two lengths. Ther six-year-old had won one race from 17 starts in Ireland during the previous year with Jack as his regular pilot.
The pair had run at Tenby the day before, finishing third in the Visitors’ Selling Hurdle. After their victory there the next day, the Tenby stewards called in the owner and jockey to explain the discrepancy in running of Old Tim in the two races. They took into consideration “the rough passage the horse had had in crossing from Ireland on the Tuesday night,” the day before their first race, but cautioned both owner and rider as to their future conduct.
The pair had run at Tenby the day before, finishing third in the Visitors’ Selling Hurdle. After their victory there the next day, the Tenby stewards called in the owner and jockey to explain the discrepancy in running of Old Tim in the two races. They took into consideration “the rough passage the horse had had in crossing from Ireland on the Tuesday night,” the day before their first race, but cautioned both owner and rider as to their future conduct.
Old Tim returned to Ireland but Jack did not ride him again. He did, though, have one mount over the Liverpool fences when partnering Ards Royal in the 1911 Becher Chase, but the six-year-old was an early faller.
Old Tim returned to Ireland but Jack did not ride him again. He did, though, have one mount over the Liverpool fences when partnering Ards Royal in the 1911 Becher Chase, but the six-year-old was an early faller.
Jack rode his last winner in Ireland in 1912 and then began his training career as private trainer to the Dixon family at Hazelhatch, Co. Dublin. He trained Major Dixon’s gelding Halston to win the Irish Grand National in 1920 and again in 1922. Halston also made history by becoming the first horse to complete the Irish Grand National and Punchestown’s Conyngham Cup in the same year.
Jack rode his last winner in Ireland in 1912 and then began his training career as private trainer to the Dixon family at Hazelhatch, Co. Dublin. He trained Major Dixon’s gelding Halston to win the Irish Grand National in 1920 and again in 1922. Halston also made history by becoming the first horse to complete the Irish Grand National and Punchestown’s Conyngham Cup in the same year.
He later set up as a public trainer, based at Ringwood, Co. Kildare, and won an Irish Oaks with Santaria in 1932. He also won a third Irish Grand National with Sir James Nelson’s Poolgowran, ridden by Bob Everett, in 1934.
He later set up as a public trainer, based at Ringwood, Co. Kildare, and won an Irish Oaks with Santaria in 1932. He also won a third Irish Grand National with Sir James Nelson’s Poolgowran, ridden by Bob Everett, in 1934.
Five years later he gained his greatest success with Workman in the Aintree Grand National. Workman had finished an unlucky third behind Battleship in 1938 when ridden by Jimmy Brogan. Jack persuaded Tim Hyde, until then known primarily as a showjumping eider, to take the mount the following year, claiming that “only Hyde is right for Workman.” Jack became the first Irish-based trainer of an English Grand National winner since Algy Anthony had won with Troytown in 1920.
Five years later he gained his greatest success with Workman in the Aintree Grand National. Workman had finished an unlucky third behind Battleship in 1938 when ridden by Jimmy Brogan. Jack persuaded Tim Hyde, until then known primarily as a showjumping eider, to take the mount the following year, claiming that “only Hyde is right for Workman.” Jack became the first Irish-based trainer of an English Grand National winner since Algy Anthony had won with Troytown in 1920.
Jack retired on reaching the age of 65, handing over the stable to his son Dan. He died in 1948.
Jack retired on reaching the age of 65, handing over the stable to his son Dan. He died in 1948.
Jack Ruttle rode just one winner in England, Old Tim, at Tenby Hunt, January 29, 1903
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