John Rowe
By John Turley
By John Turley
John Rowe was born to be in racing. His mother’s family was the Guests, who have boasted many jockeys and trainers including Grand National winner Richard, fearless jump jockey Joe and Newmarket trainer Rae. Younger brother Richard Rowe was first jockey for John Gifford for many years and the youngest male sibling Geoff rode winners for Jenny Pitman among others.
John Rowe was born to be in racing. His mother’s family was the Guests, who have boasted many jockeys and trainers including Grand National winner Richard, fearless jump jockey Joe and Newmarket trainer Rae. Younger brother Richard Rowe was first jockey for John Gifford for many years and the youngest male sibling Geoff rode winners for Jenny Pitman among others.
John began as an apprentice at the renowned Frenchie Nicholson academy at Prestbury. He was there at the same time as many other future jockeys, including Walter Swinburn, Richard Fox, Ian Johnson, Wally Wharton jnr, Kevin White and Roger Wernham.
John began as an apprentice at the renowned Frenchie Nicholson academy at Prestbury. He was there at the same time as many other future jockeys, including Walter Swinburn, Richard Fox, Ian Johnson, Wally Wharton jnr, Kevin White and Roger Wernham.
It quickly became obvious that John was a very gifted horseman and chances soon came his way on the racecourse. Family connections led to John’s first winner, Golden Ensign at Warwick on 21st June 1975 as the horse’s trainer Dennis Rayson was a close friend of John’s uncle, Charlie Guest. One more win came in 1975, followed by four more the following season.
It quickly became obvious that John was a very gifted horseman and chances soon came his way on the racecourse. Family connections led to John’s first winner, Golden Ensign at Warwick on 21st June 1975 as the horse’s trainer Dennis Rayson was a close friend of John’s uncle, Charlie Guest. One more win came in 1975, followed by four more the following season.
The 1977 season saw John strike up a successful partnership with the speedy tw Frimley Park, culminating in a win in a Nursery at the big York meeting in August.
The 1977 season saw John strike up a successful partnership with the speedy tw Frimley Park, culminating in a win in a Nursery at the big York meeting in August.
Soon after the York win John moved to Stan Mellor’s yard near Lambourn. He started his new job on 20th September 1977 and it could not have gone any better as he guided Mellor’s stayer Hipparion to a facile win at Lingfield. The move to Lambourn had been prompted by the realization that John’s weight would restrict his opportunities on the flat and he rode for Mellor and others over hurdles for the rest of the 1977/78 NH season.
Soon after the York win John moved to Stan Mellor’s yard near Lambourn. He started his new job on 20th September 1977 and it could not have gone any better as he guided Mellor’s stayer Hipparion to a facile win at Lingfield. The move to Lambourn had been prompted by the realization that John’s weight would restrict his opportunities on the flat and he rode for Mellor and others over hurdles for the rest of the 1977/78 NH season.
Despite his increased weight John was still popular with a number of flat trainers. Notably the great Michael Stoute thought much of John and the partnership scored four times in 1978 with My Therape, including a valuable Saturday handicap at Haydock.
Despite his increased weight John was still popular with a number of flat trainers. Notably the great Michael Stoute thought much of John and the partnership scored four times in 1978 with My Therape, including a valuable Saturday handicap at Haydock.
Stan Mellor was increasingly becoming a dual-purpose trainer and John was to ride several winners for his boss on the flat. These included the top hurdler Pollardstown and a string of wins on the two-year-old Tenth of October in 1981.
Stan Mellor was increasingly becoming a dual-purpose trainer and John was to ride several winners for his boss on the flat. These included the top hurdler Pollardstown and a string of wins on the two-year-old Tenth of October in 1981.
But that year was to be John’s last season as a winning jockey. His final success came on Mellor’s Avonmore Wind at Wolverhampton on 5th October 1981.
But that year was to be John’s last season as a winning jockey. His final success came on Mellor’s Avonmore Wind at Wolverhampton on 5th October 1981.
John moved down to Sussex to join David Oughton but by then his race riding career was coming to an end. He went on the become a very highly regarded work rider, plying that trade with the likes of Peter Makin, Barry Hills and Clive Cox.
John moved down to Sussex to join David Oughton but by then his race riding career was coming to an end. He went on the become a very highly regarded work rider, plying that trade with the likes of Peter Makin, Barry Hills and Clive Cox.
In all John rode 31 winners on the flat and 7 over hurdles. He now lives in Lambourn and can be seen at several of the southern courses as part of the Starter’s team.
In all John rode 31 winners on the flat and 7 over hurdles. He now lives in Lambourn and can be seen at several of the southern courses as part of the Starter’s team.