John Redmond
1955 - 2011
1955 - 2011
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Jump jockey John Redmond was born on July 23, 1955.
Jump jockey John Redmond was born on July 23, 1955.
He was brought up steeped in racing, his father being foreman of Cheltenham racecourse. They lived in a house on the course, and as a boy John would watch fascinated as the horses thundered around the track.
He was brought up steeped in racing, his father being foreman of Cheltenham racecourse. They lived in a house on the course, and as a boy John would watch fascinated as the horses thundered around the track.
John began his racing career as an apprentice with Frenchie Nicholson, whose renowned apprentice academy was a launching pad for many a top jockey. John was apprenticed to him from 1970 to 1975 and received a good and thorough grounding.
John began his racing career as an apprentice with Frenchie Nicholson, whose renowned apprentice academy was a launching pad for many a top jockey. John was apprenticed to him from 1970 to 1975 and received a good and thorough grounding.
Following the completion of his apprenticeship, he moved to Roddy Armytage at East Ilsley for one season, then joined Martock, Somerset trainer Toby Cobden, where he obtained his jockey’s licence, and finally arrived at Donald Underwood’s Centaur Place Farm, near Bramley, Surrey, in 1977.
Following the completion of his apprenticeship, he moved to Roddy Armytage at East Ilsley for one season, then joined Martock, Somerset trainer Toby Cobden, where he obtained his jockey’s licence, and finally arrived at Donald Underwood’s Centaur Place Farm, near Bramley, Surrey, in 1977.
John rode his first winner on Underwood’s Virginia Drive in Shaddoxhurst Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Folkestone on December 20, 1977. Virginia Drive had once broken a leg on the gallops and had had screws inserted in the front part of the shin, being nursed back to help by the trainer. John won again on Virginia Drive at Plumpton on March 7, 1978.
John rode his first winner on Underwood’s Virginia Drive in Shaddoxhurst Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Folkestone on December 20, 1977. Virginia Drive had once broken a leg on the gallops and had had screws inserted in the front part of the shin, being nursed back to help by the trainer. John won again on Virginia Drive at Plumpton on March 7, 1978.
He became Donald Underwood’s stable jockey the following season, although he only managed one winner, novice hurdler Linton at Fontwell on January 9, 1979. Later that year, John had a bad fall at Plumpton, which put him out of action for three months. When he resumed, he continued in his role as Underwood’s stable jockey and went on to have well over 200 rides for him.
He became Donald Underwood’s stable jockey the following season, although he only managed one winner, novice hurdler Linton at Fontwell on January 9, 1979. Later that year, John had a bad fall at Plumpton, which put him out of action for three months. When he resumed, he continued in his role as Underwood’s stable jockey and went on to have well over 200 rides for him.
One winning ride had an interesting sequel, that being a Flat race in Jersey. The sponsors of the race had kindly given a case of Martell brandy to the winning jockey. John was looking forward to giving all his friends a bottle or two, but his thoughts were shattered when he was told that he couldn’t take it back to Britain because of customs regulations. John sold the case to the winning horse’s owner who lived on the island.
One winning ride had an interesting sequel, that being a Flat race in Jersey. The sponsors of the race had kindly given a case of Martell brandy to the winning jockey. John was looking forward to giving all his friends a bottle or two, but his thoughts were shattered when he was told that he couldn’t take it back to Britain because of customs regulations. John sold the case to the winning horse’s owner who lived on the island.
John’s outside interests included golf, his father having taught Sir Gordon Richards the rudiments of the game. His ambition was to win one of the major races at Cheltenham, where as a boy he’d gazed in wonderment as the runners raced by. However, it was not to be. He did not ride many winners and his name eventually disappeared from the list of licensed jockeys.
John’s outside interests included golf, his father having taught Sir Gordon Richards the rudiments of the game. His ambition was to win one of the major races at Cheltenham, where as a boy he’d gazed in wonderment as the runners raced by. However, it was not to be. He did not ride many winners and his name eventually disappeared from the list of licensed jockeys.
Sadly, John Redmond died in July 2011, aged 56.
Sadly, John Redmond died in July 2011, aged 56.