James Seely
1901 - 1956
1901 - 1956
Frank James Wriothesley Seely – always known as James or Jim – was born in 1901. He was a successful amateur rider before and after the war and rode in three Grand Nationals, completing the course in two of them.
Frank James Wriothesley Seely – always known as James or Jim – was born in 1901. He was a successful amateur rider before and after the war and rode in three Grand Nationals, completing the course in two of them.
A keen racing man, he was a nephew of General Jack Seely, who's renowned charger Warrior survived the Great War and is commemorated by two books and the successful stage play ‘War Horse’. After the war, Jim rode Warrior in a race at the 1921 Isle of Wight point-to-point.
A keen racing man, he was a nephew of General Jack Seely, who's renowned charger Warrior survived the Great War and is commemorated by two books and the successful stage play ‘War Horse’. After the war, Jim rode Warrior in a race at the 1921 Isle of Wight point-to-point.
He served in the Royal Artillery and rode for Aslockton trainer Rip Bissill during the 1930s. Probably the best horse he partnered was
He served in the Royal Artillery and rode for Aslockton trainer Rip Bissill during the 1930s. Probably the best horse he partnered was
Fianna II, on whom he won the Royal Artillery Ubique Handicap Chase at Sandown in March 1936, the Makerfield Handicap Chase at Haydock in December 1936 and the Open Handicap Chase at Tarporley Hunt in April 1937. He won twice on Bissill’s selling chaser Towton and also landed the Master’s Nomination Chase on Charley Chase at the Burton Hunt Bona Fide meeting in April 1938.
Fianna II, on whom he won the Royal Artillery Ubique Handicap Chase at Sandown in March 1936, the Makerfield Handicap Chase at Haydock in December 1936 and the Open Handicap Chase at Tarporley Hunt in April 1937. He won twice on Bissill’s selling chaser Towton and also landed the Master’s Nomination Chase on Charley Chase at the Burton Hunt Bona Fide meeting in April 1938.
He rode 100/1 outsider Downright in the 1940 Grand National, finishing 14th of the 17 to complete the course behind Bogskar.
He rode 100/1 outsider Downright in the 1940 Grand National, finishing 14th of the 17 to complete the course behind Bogskar.
Based in Nottinghamshire after the war, he owned and trained a couple of useful horses, namely Knight of the Deep and Parsonshill, winning on the latter at Buckfastleigh on the opening day of the 1948/49 season. He won two Southwell chases on Knight of the Deep that term, including in March 1949 when he finished second on Parsonshill on the same day. He won on both horses the following season.
Based in Nottinghamshire after the war, he owned and trained a couple of useful horses, namely Knight of the Deep and Parsonshill, winning on the latter at Buckfastleigh on the opening day of the 1948/49 season. He won two Southwell chases on Knight of the Deep that term, including in March 1949 when he finished second on Parsonshill on the same day. He won on both horses the following season.
He rode the 15th winner of his career on his own horse Tiberdon at Southwell in September 1950, thereby
He rode the 15th winner of his career on his own horse Tiberdon at Southwell in September 1950, thereby
losing the right to claim a 5lb allowance. He then won easily on Parsonshill at Southwell’s next meeting in October. He landed the Ubique Past and Present Chase on Tiberdon at Sandown’s Royal Artillery meeting on April 3, 1951. Four days later he rode Parsonshill in the Grand National. They survived the early carnage which had reduced the race to just a handful of survivors after the Canal Turn, only to fall at Valentine’s along with three others.
losing the right to claim a 5lb allowance. He then won easily on Parsonshill at Southwell’s next meeting in October. He landed the Ubique Past and Present Chase on Tiberdon at Sandown’s Royal Artillery meeting on April 3, 1951. Four days later he rode Parsonshill in the Grand National. They survived the early carnage which had reduced the race to just a handful of survivors after the Canal Turn, only to fall at Valentine’s along with three others.
Jim won on Parsonshill at Southwell on September 10, 1951 and rode him again in the 1952 Grand National. This time they completed the course in ninth place behind Teal.
Jim won on Parsonshill at Southwell on September 10, 1951 and rode him again in the 1952 Grand National. This time they completed the course in ninth place behind Teal.
He rode what was to be his final winner on Knight of the Deep in the Oxton Handicap Chase at Southwell on May 6, 1952. That same horse provided him with his last ride in public, again at Southwell, on April 2, 1953.
He rode what was to be his final winner on Knight of the Deep in the Oxton Handicap Chase at Southwell on May 6, 1952. That same horse provided him with his last ride in public, again at Southwell, on April 2, 1953.
He died in 1956. His widow, born Vera Birkin, was related to singer Jane Birkin of ‘Je T’Aime Moi Non Plus’ fame. Their son, Michael Seely, became a well-known racing journalist. James was a cousin once removed of former jockey, TV presenter and distinguished author Brough Scott.
He died in 1956. His widow, born Vera Birkin, was related to singer Jane Birkin of ‘Je T’Aime Moi Non Plus’ fame. Their son, Michael Seely, became a well-known racing journalist. James was a cousin once removed of former jockey, TV presenter and distinguished author Brough Scott.
Jim was also a cousin of the 2nd Lord Mottistone, who restored the family’s Isle of Wight home, Mottistone Manor, eventually bequeathing the Manor and Mottistone Estate to the National Trust in 1963. General Jack Seely’s remains are buried in the neighbouring Church of St Peter and St Paul.
Jim was also a cousin of the 2nd Lord Mottistone, who restored the family’s Isle of Wight home, Mottistone Manor, eventually bequeathing the Manor and Mottistone Estate to the National Trust in 1963. General Jack Seely’s remains are buried in the neighbouring Church of St Peter and St Paul.