Monty Rayson
1904 - 1929
1904 - 1929
The only son of trainer Tommy Rayson, Montagu Davis Rayson was born at Alton, Hampshire, on August 26, 1904.
The only son of trainer Tommy Rayson, Montagu Davis Rayson was born at Alton, Hampshire, on August 26, 1904.
He was riding at the age of two and quickly displayed natural ability. He was a keen rider to hounds when barely five years old and began competing in point-to-points while still a boy.
He was riding at the age of two and quickly displayed natural ability. He was a keen rider to hounds when barely five years old and began competing in point-to-points while still a boy.
He started out as an amateur and had his first ride under National Hunt rules at Newbury on February 22, 1922, finishing ninth of 13 on Pick Your Way in the Amateurs’ Handicap Hurdle.
He started out as an amateur and had his first ride under National Hunt rules at Newbury on February 22, 1922, finishing ninth of 13 on Pick Your Way in the Amateurs’ Handicap Hurdle.
It did not take Monty long to get off the mark. He rode his first winner on a horse named Mr Julia in the Binstead Hunters’ Chase at the Isle of Wight meeting on May 3, 1922.
It did not take Monty long to get off the mark. He rode his first winner on a horse named Mr Julia in the Binstead Hunters’ Chase at the Isle of Wight meeting on May 3, 1922.
At Wincanton on Easter Monday, April 21, 1924, he won the first three races on the card, all on horses trained by his father. He kicked off by winning the Templecombe Handicap Hurdle on Goldsmith’s Alliance, followed that with victory on Clonhugh in the Wincanton Foxhunters’ Handicap Chase, and completed the treble on Tara King in the Blackmore Vale Handicap Chase.
At Wincanton on Easter Monday, April 21, 1924, he won the first three races on the card, all on horses trained by his father. He kicked off by winning the Templecombe Handicap Hurdle on Goldsmith’s Alliance, followed that with victory on Clonhugh in the Wincanton Foxhunters’ Handicap Chase, and completed the treble on Tara King in the Blackmore Vale Handicap Chase.
He finished third in the amateur riders’ table for the 1924/25 season, his winners including the United Hunts Challenge Cup Chase at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting on Sunny Wood. He finished third in that year’s Cheltenham Foxhunters’ Chase on Jolly Glad.
He finished third in the amateur riders’ table for the 1924/25 season, his winners including the United Hunts Challenge Cup Chase at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting on Sunny Wood. He finished third in that year’s Cheltenham Foxhunters’ Chase on Jolly Glad.
Monty turned professional in August 1925 in time for the start of the new National Hunt season. He was closely associated with his father’s stable at Headbourne Worthy, near Winchester and assisted in the training.
Monty turned professional in August 1925 in time for the start of the new National Hunt season. He was closely associated with his father’s stable at Headbourne Worthy, near Winchester and assisted in the training.
Having ridden 15 winners in the 1926/27 campaign, he more than doubled that score the following season with 35 wins.
Having ridden 15 winners in the 1926/27 campaign, he more than doubled that score the following season with 35 wins.
He then bettered that total in the 1928/29 season, when he rode as first jockey to the wealthy American owner Victor Emmanuel. He won 38 races, placing him third in the jockey’s table. His victories included the 1928 Stanley Chase on Ballyhanwood. He also registered a treble at Plymouth on September 6, 1928, winning the Morley Selling Chase on Little Wavelet, the Plymouth Cup Handicap Chase on Footer, and the Stonehouse Juvenile Hurdle on Sir Dennis.
He then bettered that total in the 1928/29 season, when he rode as first jockey to the wealthy American owner Victor Emmanuel. He won 38 races, placing him third in the jockey’s table. His victories included the 1928 Stanley Chase on Ballyhanwood. He also registered a treble at Plymouth on September 6, 1928, winning the Morley Selling Chase on Little Wavelet, the Plymouth Cup Handicap Chase on Footer, and the Stonehouse Juvenile Hurdle on Sir Dennis.
Monty rode in three successive Grand Nationals. In 1927 he rode 100-1 outsider Sir Huon, who was among the fallers. In 1928 he partnered the topweight Bright’s Boy who was one of a score of horses put out of the race when Easter Hero landed on top of the Canal Turn, baulking those behind him. In 1929 he rode the well-fancied Master Billie but was again unfortunate, the horse being badly baulked and losing all chance when several horses fell at the third fence.
Monty rode in three successive Grand Nationals. In 1927 he rode 100-1 outsider Sir Huon, who was among the fallers. In 1928 he partnered the topweight Bright’s Boy who was one of a score of horses put out of the race when Easter Hero landed on top of the Canal Turn, baulking those behind him. In 1929 he rode the well-fancied Master Billie but was again unfortunate, the horse being badly baulked and losing all chance when several horses fell at the third fence.
He rode what would prove to be his final winner aboard 5-2 on favourite May Crescent in a match for the Dartmoor Chase at Buckfastleigh on Whit Monday, May 20, 1929. It was also his final ride. Just five weeks later he was dead.
He rode what would prove to be his final winner aboard 5-2 on favourite May Crescent in a match for the Dartmoor Chase at Buckfastleigh on Whit Monday, May 20, 1929. It was also his final ride. Just five weeks later he was dead.
Monty tragically died, aged 24, on June 24, 1929, while on honeymoon at Boulogne in France following an operation on his throat.
Monty tragically died, aged 24, on June 24, 1929, while on honeymoon at Boulogne in France following an operation on his throat.
His body was brought back to Folkestone and from there conveyed to Headbourne Worthy for burial. On the coffin were two wreaths, one from his wife Betty, the other in the form of a horseshoe tied with racing colours, his own (black, red and white) and those of his father (yellow and black). The horseshoe bore a note: “To Monty, our only son, who was the best and bravest little sportsman in the world, from mother and dad.”
His body was brought back to Folkestone and from there conveyed to Headbourne Worthy for burial. On the coffin were two wreaths, one from his wife Betty, the other in the form of a horseshoe tied with racing colours, his own (black, red and white) and those of his father (yellow and black). The horseshoe bore a note: “To Monty, our only son, who was the best and bravest little sportsman in the world, from mother and dad.”
The interment was in the churchyard, the body being conveyed on a wheeled bier. Three horses were led in single file in front of the mourners. They were Beech-martin, on which Monty had won at Sandown and finished third in that year’s Welsh Grand National; 16-year-old White Cockade, one of the first winners he ever rode; and May Crescent, the last winner he ever rode.
The interment was in the churchyard, the body being conveyed on a wheeled bier. Three horses were led in single file in front of the mourners. They were Beech-martin, on which Monty had won at Sandown and finished third in that year’s Welsh Grand National; 16-year-old White Cockade, one of the first winners he ever rode; and May Crescent, the last winner he ever rode.
