Jack Sirett

1905 -1987

Born in Paddington, London, on October 20, 1905, Epsom jockey Jackie Sirett rode more than 1,000 winners between 1924-53 before becoming a trainer.

He started work as a pageboy, he was then apprenticed to Stanley Wootton at Epsom. His contemporaries there included Charlie Smirke, Brian Swift, Staff Ingham, Dicky Broadway, Doug Savage and Johnny Gilbert.

On Friday, June 20, 1947, he won the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot riding Lucky Jordan.

This was a particularly lucky race for him: he won it again the next year on White Cockade and again in 1953 on Jupiter.

Ascot was also the course on which he suffered a heavy fall in 1926 resulting in a serious head injury that kept him out of the saddle for many months. His mount, Vionnet, had been put over the rails and was killed. Jackie was unconscious for three weeks.

He took up training in 1955 at Treadwell House in Epsom. Later he moved his operation to Burnside in Beaconsfield Road, Epsom.

Jackie's head lad was George Dunkey who, in his youth, had ridden for the Smyths. He had a great eye for a horse and was an excellent feeder.

Jackie's travelling head lad was Tony Bowles who had ridden winners for Charlie Bell in Marlborough. Tony was a dedicated professional who eventually received a well-deserved 'lifetime in racing' award at Brighton racecourse.

Jackie died at Epsom on Tuesday 9th June, 1987. He was 81 and was buried at Epsom Cemetery.

He left estate valued at £127, 531.

His first winner was Menatchie at Brighton on August 28, 1923.

His last winner was Sweet Innocence at Windsor on November 7, 1953.

Big winners:

1925: City and Suburban Handicap – Greek Bachelor

1925: Victoria Cup – Creolean

1926: Manchester November Handicap – Vermillion Pencil

1928: Queen’s Vase – Maid Of Perth

1930: Victoria Cup – Ecilath

1934: Cesarewitch Handicap – Enfield

1935: Queen’s Vase – Flash Bye

1936: Manchester Cup – Emborough

1936: Park Hill Stakes – Traffic Light

1936: Manchester November Handicap – Emborough

1947: Wokingham Stakes – Lucky Jordan

1948: Wokingham Stakes – White Cockade

1948: Midlands Cesarewitch – Garter Club

1952: Great Jubilee Handicap – Durante

1953: Wokingham Stakes – Jupiter

Jockeypedia was kindly sent the following by Bryan Leyman

Jackie Sirett was an apprentice with trainer Stanley Wootton at Epsom. He was a very lightweight jockey, riding at the minimum weight. He rode over 1,000 winners. I Believe he rode the winner of the Wokingham twice at Ascot. He suffered a bad fall at Ascot in which he had a serious head injury. He recovered after some time but still went back riding winners. Being from Stanley Wootton's stable, he was apprenticed to the master who produced top apprentices. The academy of apprentices were Charlie Smirke, Brian Swift, Staff Ingham, Dicky Broadway, Doug Savage, Johnny Gilbert, to name but a few. He spent a lot of relaxation days at the RAC club where he played golf to a very high standard.

In the 1950's he took up training at Treadwell House Stables in Epsom, the previous yard where Wootton trained. Later he moved to train at Burnside in Beaconsfield Road, Epsom. He seemed to train more sprint winners than long distance ones. His head lad for many years was George Dunkley. He had ridden in his youth for the Smyths who all trained in Epsom. He was an excellent head lad who had an eye for a horse and was an excellent feeder. His travelling head lad was Tony Bowles who had ridden winners for Charlie Bell in Marlborough. Again a dedicated man who always had the horses turned out in excellent condition at the races. Tony received the lifetime in racing award at Brighton racecourse, well deserved.

I became apprentice to Jackie Sirett in 1960. My first 3 rides however were for Stanley Wootton who was still training. I used to spend the odd day there riding work for him and guess my reward was to give me my first rides.

With regards to jockeys who rode on the last day. There was Jimmy Lindley, wherever he may be, and my good friend, Epsom jockey, Noel Flanagan who sadly passed away last year.

Kind regards,

Bryan Leyman