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James Roache
James Roache
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
James Roache rode four winners in his native Ireland in addition to seven under British National Hunt rules. his first success coming on Battle Well for trainer John Kirwan in the Kerry Cesarewitch at Listowel on November 5, 1946. That was followed by Peral Harbour in the Ballinacurra Handicap at Limerick in May the following May, then Ocean Prince in the Midland Handicap Hurdle at Kilbeggan in August.
James Roache rode four winners in his native Ireland in addition to seven under British National Hunt rules. his first success coming on Battle Well for trainer John Kirwan in the Kerry Cesarewitch at Listowel on November 5, 1946. That was followed by Peral Harbour in the Ballinacurra Handicap at Limerick in May the following May, then Ocean Prince in the Midland Handicap Hurdle at Kilbeggan in August.
His first ride in Britain saw him finish second when Grey Blossom “plodded round”, as Chaseform put it, to occupy that position in the Novices’ Chase at Chepstow on November 18, 1948. There were only two finishers out of nine starters and Grey Blossom was beaten a distance by Alf Mullins on Teetotal.
His first ride in Britain saw him finish second when Grey Blossom “plodded round”, as Chaseform put it, to occupy that position in the Novices’ Chase at Chepstow on November 18, 1948. There were only two finishers out of nine starters and Grey Blossom was beaten a distance by Alf Mullins on Teetotal.
Two days later Jim had a more satisfactory experience at Cheltenham when Sutton Hoo took an early lead in the Borough Selling Handicap Chase and went on to win by eight lengths.
Two days later Jim had a more satisfactory experience at Cheltenham when Sutton Hoo took an early lead in the Borough Selling Handicap Chase and went on to win by eight lengths.
James finished that 1948/49 campaign with four wins from 30 rides, with all his winners trained by former jump jockey Ben Lay at Snowshill, Worcestershire. Two of those victories were gained on Grey Blossom, although none of the other four starters got round in one of them.
James finished that 1948/49 campaign with four wins from 30 rides, with all his winners trained by former jump jockey Ben Lay at Snowshill, Worcestershire. Two of those victories were gained on Grey Blossom, although none of the other four starters got round in one of them.
He returned to Ireland for the 1949/50 season, winning one race, the Cork Handicap Hurdle at Thurles in February, but was back in Britain for the 1950/51 campaign which brought him two wins on horses trained by former champion National Hunt jockey Gerry Wilson. However, despite losing his 7lb claim on the second of those victories he failed to make a breakthrough.
He returned to Ireland for the 1949/50 season, winning one race, the Cork Handicap Hurdle at Thurles in February, but was back in Britain for the 1950/51 campaign which brought him two wins on horses trained by former champion National Hunt jockey Gerry Wilson. However, despite losing his 7lb claim on the second of those victories he failed to make a breakthrough.
His last win was at Warwick on December 15, 1951, when Snowshill Rose, also trained by Gerry Wilson, came with a strong run on the flat to catch the long time leader Blue Vinney, ridden by Derek Leslie, to force a dead heat at the end of the Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1). Although he kept the ride on the five-year-old mare for her next two outings, she ran out on the second of them.
His last win was at Warwick on December 15, 1951, when Snowshill Rose, also trained by Gerry Wilson, came with a strong run on the flat to catch the long time leader Blue Vinney, ridden by Derek Leslie, to force a dead heat at the end of the Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1). Although he kept the ride on the five-year-old mare for her next two outings, she ran out on the second of them.
He had his final ride when Grist trailed in last of five runners in the County Handicap Chase at Hereford on Whit Monday, June 2, 1952.
He had his final ride when Grist trailed in last of five runners in the County Handicap Chase at Hereford on Whit Monday, June 2, 1952.
James Roache’s winners were, in chronological order:
James Roache’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Battle Well, Listowel, November 5, 1946
1. Battle Well, Listowel, November 5, 1946
2. Peral Harbour, Limerick, May 8, 1947
2. Peral Harbour, Limerick, May 8, 1947
3. Ocean Prince, Kilbeggan, August 12, 1947
3. Ocean Prince, Kilbeggan, August 12, 1947
4. Sutton Hoo, Cheltenham, November 20, 1948
4. Sutton Hoo, Cheltenham, November 20, 1948
5. Grey Blossom, Towcester, April 18, 1949
5. Grey Blossom, Towcester, April 18, 1949
6. Glenandri, Hereford, May 12, 1949
6. Glenandri, Hereford, May 12, 1949
7. Grey Blossom, Southwell, May 30, 1949
7. Grey Blossom, Southwell, May 30, 1949
8. Sir Ganno, Thurles, February 14, 1950
8. Sir Ganno, Thurles, February 14, 1950
9. Eastern Saga, Worcester, December 1, 1950
9. Eastern Saga, Worcester, December 1, 1950
10. Welsh Minstrel, Warwick, December 8, 1950
10. Welsh Minstrel, Warwick, December 8, 1950
11. Snowshill Rose, Warwick, December 15, 1951 (dead heat)
11. Snowshill Rose, Warwick, December 15, 1951 (dead heat)
James's final winner.
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