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John Redmond
John Redmond
1955-2011
1955-2011
Jump jockey John Vernon 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.
Jump jockey John Vernon 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.
John began his racing career as an apprentice with Frenchie Nicholson, whose renowned apprentice academy was a launching pad for many a top jockey. He was apprenticed to him from 1970 to 1975 and received a good and thorough grounding. However, he had a very brief first ride in public, with his mount, Beaujolais Boy, being brought down at the first flight in the Gauntlet Handicap hurdle at Taunton on November 20, 1975.
John began his racing career as an apprentice with Frenchie Nicholson, whose renowned apprentice academy was a launching pad for many a top jockey. He was apprenticed to him from 1970 to 1975 and received a good and thorough grounding. However, he had a very brief first ride in public, with his mount, Beaujolais Boy, being brought down at the first flight in the Gauntlet Handicap hurdle at Taunton on November 20, 1975.
Following the completion of his apprenticeship, he moved to Roddy Armytage at East Ilsley for one season, then joined Martock, Somerset trainer Toby Cobden, before finally arriving 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, before finally arriving at Donald Underwood’s Centaur Place Farm, near Bramley, Surrey, in 1977.
John rode his first winner on Underwood’s Virginia Drive in the Shaddoxhurst Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Folkestone on December 20, 1977, taking the lead at the penultimate flight and running on well to beat the favourite Gidi Pass by four lengths. 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 the Shaddoxhurst Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Folkestone on December 20, 1977, taking the lead at the penultimate flight and running on well to beat the favourite Gidi Pass by four lengths. 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 race's sponsors 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. He 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 race's sponsors 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. He 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.
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 rode his last winner at Plumpton on Saturday, April 10, 1982, when Denston held off the strong challenge of Gary Moore on Charjim to take the Hailsham Novices’ Hurdle. It was also at Plumpton that he his final ride, when Linton, on whom he had won two races at Fontwell Park, was unplaced in the Henfield Selling Handicap Hurdle on December 13, 1983.
He rode his last winner at Plumpton on Saturday, April 10, 1982, when Denston held off the strong challenge of Gary Moore on Charjim to take the Hailsham Novices’ Hurdle. It was also at Plumpton that he his final ride, when Linton, on whom he had won two races at Fontwell Park, was unplaced in the Henfield Selling Handicap Hurdle on December 13, 1983.
He had ridden a total of eleven winners, all but two of them trained by either by Donald Underwood or by his permit holder son Tim.
He had ridden a total of eleven winners, all but two of them trained by either by Donald Underwood or by his permit holder son Tim.
Sadly, John Redmond died in July 2011, aged 56.
Sadly, John Redmond died in July 2011, aged 56.
His wins (Jersey excluded) were, in chronological order:
His wins (Jersey excluded) were, in chronological order:
1. Virginia Drive, Folkestone, Doncaster 20, 1977
1. Virginia Drive, Folkestone, Doncaster 20, 1977
2. Virginia Drive, Plumpton, March 7, 1978
2. Virginia Drive, Plumpton, March 7, 1978
3. Balloon, Plumpton, April 11, 1978
3. Balloon, Plumpton, April 11, 1978
4. Linton, Fontwell Park, January 9, 1979
4. Linton, Fontwell Park, January 9, 1979
5. Mr Pippins, newton Abbot, September 14, 1979
5. Mr Pippins, newton Abbot, September 14, 1979
6. Lords, Warwick, May 17, 1980
6. Lords, Warwick, May 17, 1980
7. Buckville, Stratford-on-Avon, October 25, 1980
7. Buckville, Stratford-on-Avon, October 25, 1980
8. Linton, Fontwell Park, March 24, 1981
8. Linton, Fontwell Park, March 24, 1981
9. Old Mill Lady, Taunton, April 23, 1981
9. Old Mill Lady, Taunton, April 23, 1981
10. Linton, Fontwell Park, February 8, 1982
10. Linton, Fontwell Park, February 8, 1982
11. Denston, Plumpton, April 10, 1982
11. Denston, Plumpton, April 10, 1982
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