John Rollason
John Rollason
John Rollason
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
John Francis Rollason was apprenticed to George Lambton and recorded his biggest success in the Ascot Stakes of 1904 on 20-1 shot Merry Andrew.
John Francis Rollason was apprenticed to George Lambton and recorded his biggest success in the Ascot Stakes of 1904 on 20-1 shot Merry Andrew.
He rode his first winner on Lord Derby’s five-year-old St Levan, trained by Lambton, in the Elvaston Castle Plate at Nottingham on August 22, 1903, scoring by half a length from White Webbs with Bowey a neck away third. Not only was St Levan the outsider of the three runners, but White Webbs was ridden by top American jockey ‘Skeets’ Martin and Bowey by Willie Lane, who three times rode over 100 winners in a season during his short career.
He rode his first winner on Lord Derby’s five-year-old St Levan, trained by Lambton, in the Elvaston Castle Plate at Nottingham on August 22, 1903, scoring by half a length from White Webbs with Bowey a neck away third. Not only was St Levan the outsider of the three runners, but White Webbs was ridden by top American jockey ‘Skeets’ Martin and Bowey by Willie Lane, who three times rode over 100 winners in a season during his short career.
The Sporting Life praised the young apprentice’s good riding for that effort and, later that year, noted that he “rode a fine finish” when winning the Lincoln Autumn Handicap on Ruy Lopez. Ruy Lopez had previously exhibited little worthwhile form but was one of the horses that had been famously and deliberately doped by Lambton in order to prove a point.
The Sporting Life praised the young apprentice’s good riding for that effort and, later that year, noted that he “rode a fine finish” when winning the Lincoln Autumn Handicap on Ruy Lopez. Ruy Lopez had previously exhibited little worthwhile form but was one of the horses that had been famously and deliberately doped by Lambton in order to prove a point.
It was common knowledge at that time that the American trainers such as Enoch Wishard, John Huggins and others plying their trade in Britain regularly doped their horses with cocaine, something which was common practice in their homeland. There were no actual rules to prevent it in Britain. While doping was not classed as a criminal offence, by 1903 it had become scandalous. It took the initiative of trainer George Lambton to bring about a change of rules.
It was common knowledge at that time that the American trainers such as Enoch Wishard, John Huggins and others plying their trade in Britain regularly doped their horses with cocaine, something which was common practice in their homeland. There were no actual rules to prevent it in Britain. While doping was not classed as a criminal offence, by 1903 it had become scandalous. It took the initiative of trainer George Lambton to bring about a change of rules.
Lambton informed the Jockey Club Stewards that he intended to dope five of his horses, none of whom had shown any form. His experiment worked exactly as he thought. When four of them won – Ruy Lopez included – and the other finished second, the Jockey Club was forced to take action and outlaw the practice. Doping was banned by the end of 1903 and any transgressors were duly warned off.
Lambton informed the Jockey Club Stewards that he intended to dope five of his horses, none of whom had shown any form. His experiment worked exactly as he thought. When four of them won – Ruy Lopez included – and the other finished second, the Jockey Club was forced to take action and outlaw the practice. Doping was banned by the end of 1903 and any transgressors were duly warned off.
John rode 15 winners in 1904 including a dead-heat at Doncaster on May 20 and a double at Birmingham on August 2, but the highlight was undoubtedly his Ascot Stakes victory. There was a big field of 22, and John brought Merry Andrew through to win by a length and a half. According to the Sporting Life, Lambton’s apprentice, little Rollason, deserved “a word of praise”.
John rode 15 winners in 1904 including a dead-heat at Doncaster on May 20 and a double at Birmingham on August 2, but the highlight was undoubtedly his Ascot Stakes victory. There was a big field of 22, and John brought Merry Andrew through to win by a length and a half. According to the Sporting Life, Lambton’s apprentice, little Rollason, deserved “a word of praise”.
Sadly, 1905 saw a downturn in his fortunes with only two winners. He rode mostly in the north that year and both of his successes were gained at northern courses. However, he was at Newmarket for his only ride in a Classic, partnering a filly owned by Lord Derby in the 1,000 Guineas. Unfortunately, she whipped round at the start and lost all chance.
Sadly, 1905 saw a downturn in his fortunes with only two winners. He rode mostly in the north that year and both of his successes were gained at northern courses. However, he was at Newmarket for his only ride in a Classic, partnering a filly owned by Lord Derby in the 1,000 Guineas. Unfortunately, she whipped round at the start and lost all chance.
John’s last win was at Ripon on August 8, 1905 on second favourite Tom Tucker in the Innkeepers Selling Handicap. He continued riding in 1906 but without success. His final mount, Purple Emperor, finished unplaced in the Town Selling Plate at Leicester on November 12, 1906.
John’s last win was at Ripon on August 8, 1905 on second favourite Tom Tucker in the Innkeepers Selling Handicap. He continued riding in 1906 but without success. His final mount, Purple Emperor, finished unplaced in the Town Selling Plate at Leicester on November 12, 1906.
Just three months later he was drowned when the steamship Berlin was wrecked off the Hook of Holland on February 21, 1907. He left £50.
Just three months later he was drowned when the steamship Berlin was wrecked off the Hook of Holland on February 21, 1907. He left £50.
John Rollason’s winners were, in chronological order:
John Rollason’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. St Levan, Nottingham, August 22, 1903
1. St Levan, Nottingham, August 22, 1903
2. Outsider, Newmarket, October 29, 1903
2. Outsider, Newmarket, October 29, 1903
3. ch. f. by Goldfinch out of Le Flecha, Lincoln, November 9, 1903
3. ch. f. by Goldfinch out of Le Flecha, Lincoln, November 9, 1903
4. Ruy Lopez, Lincoln, November 10, 1903
4. Ruy Lopez, Lincoln, November 10, 1903
5. br. g. by Glenwood out of Queen Berengaria, Derby, April 16, 1904
5. br. g. by Glenwood out of Queen Berengaria, Derby, April 16, 1904
6. Scamander, Doncaster, May 20, 1904
6. Scamander, Doncaster, May 20, 1904
7. b. f. by Old Coin out of Inez, Doncaster, May 20, 1904 (dead-heat)
7. b. f. by Old Coin out of Inez, Doncaster, May 20, 1904 (dead-heat)
8. b. f. by Kilcock out of Wee Agnes, Wolverhampton, May 23, 1904
8. b. f. by Kilcock out of Wee Agnes, Wolverhampton, May 23, 1904
9. Merry Andrew, Ascot, June 14, 1904
9. Merry Andrew, Ascot, June 14, 1904
10. Bonny Rosila, Newcastle, June 22, 1904
10. Bonny Rosila, Newcastle, June 22, 1904
11. Sweet Katie, Newcastle, June 23, 1904
11. Sweet Katie, Newcastle, June 23, 1904
12. Black Mingo, Leicester, July 18, 1904
12. Black Mingo, Leicester, July 18, 1904
13. Miss Hopson, Alexandra Park, July 30, 1904
13. Miss Hopson, Alexandra Park, July 30, 1904
14. ch. g. by Despair out of Gold Hackle, Birmingham, August 2, 1904
14. ch. g. by Despair out of Gold Hackle, Birmingham, August 2, 1904
15. Marozzo, Birmingham, August 2, 1904
15. Marozzo, Birmingham, August 2, 1904
16. Donorina, Windsor, August 12, 1904
16. Donorina, Windsor, August 12, 1904
17. One Away, Stockton, August 17, 1904
17. One Away, Stockton, August 17, 1904
18. Uncle Marcus, Windsor, September 17, 1004
18. Uncle Marcus, Windsor, September 17, 1004
19. Same Lucy, Pontefract, September 21, 1904
19. Same Lucy, Pontefract, September 21, 1904
20. Gay Gordon, Redcar, June 13, 1905
20. Gay Gordon, Redcar, June 13, 1905
21. Tom Tucker, Ripon, August 8, 1905
21. Tom Tucker, Ripon, August 8, 1905
