James Shaw
The race jockey James Shaw could point out to his grandchildren as the highlight of his career was the Thirsk Classic Trial, which he won in 1948 on one of the great post-war stayers, Lord Derby’s Alycidon.
The race jockey James Shaw could point out to his grandchildren as the highlight of his career was the Thirsk Classic Trial, which he won in 1948 on one of the great post-war stayers, Lord Derby’s Alycidon.
James Richard Shaw was born on July 9, 1928, and served his apprenticeship with Walter Earl at Stanley House, Newmarket between 1943 and 1949. He was lucky enough to ride a winner on his first mount in public, Esquimalt, in a one-mile apprentice plate at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting on April 11, 1945. Esquimalt went on to win the following year’s Bessborough Stakes at Royal Ascot, ridden by Gordon Richards.
James Richard Shaw was born on July 9, 1928, and served his apprenticeship with Walter Earl at Stanley House, Newmarket between 1943 and 1949. He was lucky enough to ride a winner on his first mount in public, Esquimalt, in a one-mile apprentice plate at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting on April 11, 1945. Esquimalt went on to win the following year’s Bessborough Stakes at Royal Ascot, ridden by Gordon Richards.
Alycidon was the last of the many great horses bred and owned by the 17th Earl of Derby, who died in February 1948. Trained by Walter Earl, he ran only twice at two, finishing unplaced on both occasions when ridden by Doug Smith.
Alycidon was the last of the many great horses bred and owned by the 17th Earl of Derby, who died in February 1948. Trained by Walter Earl, he ran only twice at two, finishing unplaced on both occasions when ridden by Doug Smith.
He made an inauspicious start to his three-year-old career at Hurst Park, where, ridden by Eph Smith, he whipped round at the start and took no part. From then on he always ran in blinkers. A fortnight later he was sent to Thirsk for the one-mile Classic Trial Stakes, ridden this time by James Shaw, and won by three-quarters of a length, beating 10 opponents. James rode him next time out in the Chester Vase, in which he finished a creditable third behind Valognes and Wainwright, both of whom were receiving weight. Thirteen days later, James and Alycidon romped to victory in the 10-furlong Royal Standard Stakes at Manchester.
He made an inauspicious start to his three-year-old career at Hurst Park, where, ridden by Eph Smith, he whipped round at the start and took no part. From then on he always ran in blinkers. A fortnight later he was sent to Thirsk for the one-mile Classic Trial Stakes, ridden this time by James Shaw, and won by three-quarters of a length, beating 10 opponents. James rode him next time out in the Chester Vase, in which he finished a creditable third behind Valognes and Wainwright, both of whom were receiving weight. Thirteen days later, James and Alycidon romped to victory in the 10-furlong Royal Standard Stakes at Manchester.
That was the end of James’s association with Alycidon, who went on to win the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket, ridden by Tommy Lowrey and finish runner-up to the massive Black Tarquin in the St Leger. The following year, with the help of two pacemakers, Alycidon won a famous Ascot Gold Cup, defeating his St Leger conqueror Black Tarquin, and followed that by winning the Goodwood Cup and Doncaster Cup. At stud, he was leading sire in 1955, his best son being 1958 St Leger winner Alcide, his best daughter being the 1955 fillies triple crown heroine Meld.
That was the end of James’s association with Alycidon, who went on to win the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket, ridden by Tommy Lowrey and finish runner-up to the massive Black Tarquin in the St Leger. The following year, with the help of two pacemakers, Alycidon won a famous Ascot Gold Cup, defeating his St Leger conqueror Black Tarquin, and followed that by winning the Goodwood Cup and Doncaster Cup. At stud, he was leading sire in 1955, his best son being 1958 St Leger winner Alcide, his best daughter being the 1955 fillies triple crown heroine Meld.
As for James, those two victories on Alycidon were easily his biggest wins. After coming out of his time he rode as freelance. On August 4, 1951, he married Eileen Fidler, who she gave him a daughter, Sandra. They lived at The Bungalow, Home Farm, Cuddington, Northwich, Cheshire. He did not hold a licence between 1952 and 1956 and it possible that he rode abroad during that time.
As for James, those two victories on Alycidon were easily his biggest wins. After coming out of his time he rode as freelance. On August 4, 1951, he married Eileen Fidler, who she gave him a daughter, Sandra. They lived at The Bungalow, Home Farm, Cuddington, Northwich, Cheshire. He did not hold a licence between 1952 and 1956 and it possible that he rode abroad during that time.
James suffered a serious accident in January 1960, which kept him out of the saddle for 14 months. He returned in time for the start of the 1961 Flat season and rode two winners from 34 rides that year, both trained by Colin Laidler at Prees Heath, Shropshire, these being Fair Thread, at Manchester on April 12, and Gay Sari at Lincoln on September 20. Having ridden no more winners, he relinquished his licence in 1966.
James suffered a serious accident in January 1960, which kept him out of the saddle for 14 months. He returned in time for the start of the 1961 Flat season and rode two winners from 34 rides that year, both trained by Colin Laidler at Prees Heath, Shropshire, these being Fair Thread, at Manchester on April 12, and Gay Sari at Lincoln on September 20. Having ridden no more winners, he relinquished his licence in 1966.
Although Ruff’s Guide to the Turf credits J R Shaw as riding one winner in 1962, this is incorrect as it was actually Fiddler Goodwill’s apprentice J A Shaw who rode The Burgher to victory for Goodwill at Wolverhampton on April 16. This is confirmed by the fact that it was an apprentice race, and James Richard Shaw was long out of his apprenticeship by that time.
Although Ruff’s Guide to the Turf credits J R Shaw as riding one winner in 1962, this is incorrect as it was actually Fiddler Goodwill’s apprentice J A Shaw who rode The Burgher to victory for Goodwill at Wolverhampton on April 16. This is confirmed by the fact that it was an apprentice race, and James Richard Shaw was long out of his apprenticeship by that time.