Johnny Rogan
National Hunt jockey John (Johnny) Rogan held a licence for four seasons between 1963 and 1967 but rode just one winner during that time. His big day came at Fakenham on Wednesday, September 22, 1965 when he steered odds-on favourite Nicolaid to an eight-length victory for Newmarket trainer Fiddler Goodwill in the Novice Riders’ Selling Handicap Hurdle.
National Hunt jockey John (Johnny) Rogan held a licence for four seasons between 1963 and 1967 but rode just one winner during that time. His big day came at Fakenham on Wednesday, September 22, 1965 when he steered odds-on favourite Nicolaid to an eight-length victory for Newmarket trainer Fiddler Goodwill in the Novice Riders’ Selling Handicap Hurdle.
Johnny rode mostly moderate horses and had a few falls, one of which – on Altercation at the first flight at Sandown on February 25, 1966 – made the racing page of the following day’s Daily Mirror.
Johnny rode mostly moderate horses and had a few falls, one of which – on Altercation at the first flight at Sandown on February 25, 1966 – made the racing page of the following day’s Daily Mirror.
That was Altercation’s first race under NH rules. He was well-named because he often had altercations with the obstacles during a race. The form against his name in the papers showed far more letters than numbers. Despite those alphabet figures – and the fact he’d fallen on his previous two starts over fences – Altercation was to earn his place history as the first winner for the then amateur rider Mr Bob Champion when landing a 20/1 shock in the Rottingdean Maiden Chase at Plumpton on January 17, 1968. By then, Johnny Rogan had quit race riding and his name had disappeared from the sports pages, whereas Bob Champion would go on to achieve far greater fame, most notably as the rider of 1981 Grand National hero Aldaniti.
That was Altercation’s first race under NH rules. He was well-named because he often had altercations with the obstacles during a race. The form against his name in the papers showed far more letters than numbers. Despite those alphabet figures – and the fact he’d fallen on his previous two starts over fences – Altercation was to earn his place history as the first winner for the then amateur rider Mr Bob Champion when landing a 20/1 shock in the Rottingdean Maiden Chase at Plumpton on January 17, 1968. By then, Johnny Rogan had quit race riding and his name had disappeared from the sports pages, whereas Bob Champion would go on to achieve far greater fame, most notably as the rider of 1981 Grand National hero Aldaniti.
