Jim Simpson
(1912 - 1956)
(1912 - 1956)
Jim Marshall Simpson was born in Newmarket in 1912. He was apprenticed to Newmarket trainers Fred Leader and ‘Boxer’ Cannon and rode his first winner on Jack o’ Doris in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Newmarket on April 17, 1929.
Jim Marshall Simpson was born in Newmarket in 1912. He was apprenticed to Newmarket trainers Fred Leader and ‘Boxer’ Cannon and rode his first winner on Jack o’ Doris in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Newmarket on April 17, 1929.
The following year he achieved his biggest success when winning the Liverpool Spring Cup on 20/1 shot Alight on March 27, 1930. Two months later he enjoyed another high-profile victory on Alcester in the Newmarket Handicap. He also rode a winner on each day of Manchester’s three-day June meeting, finishing that season as champion apprentice with 28 winners.
The following year he achieved his biggest success when winning the Liverpool Spring Cup on 20/1 shot Alight on March 27, 1930. Two months later he enjoyed another high-profile victory on Alcester in the Newmarket Handicap. He also rode a winner on each day of Manchester’s three-day June meeting, finishing that season as champion apprentice with 28 winners.
Jim continued to ride for Newmarket trainers up to the start of World War II, at which time he enlisted in the RAF and became sergeant/air gunner. When the war ended, he resumed his career in the saddle, riding as a freelance. He won the 1947 Richmond Stakes on Birthday Greetings.
Jim continued to ride for Newmarket trainers up to the start of World War II, at which time he enlisted in the RAF and became sergeant/air gunner. When the war ended, he resumed his career in the saddle, riding as a freelance. He won the 1947 Richmond Stakes on Birthday Greetings.
His last year in the saddle was 1950, during which he had just 13 rides, 12 of which were unplaced.
His last year in the saddle was 1950, during which he had just 13 rides, 12 of which were unplaced.
His one placed finish was when second on Dulac in the valuable Warwickshire Breeders’ Foal Stakes for two-year-olds at Birmingham on May 30.
His one placed finish was when second on Dulac in the valuable Warwickshire Breeders’ Foal Stakes for two-year-olds at Birmingham on May 30.
These ‘foal stakes’ races originated when the sport was still organised by and on behalf of the traditional owner-breeders. Horses were entered for the race when they were foals, the races often having prize-money out of all proportion to their importance. They eventually became outdated and were phased out in the early 1960s. Birmingham had two such races, the Warwickshire Breeders’ Foal Plate and the Midland Breeders’ Foal Plate. Both were long-established contests and existed until the course’s closure in 1965.
These ‘foal stakes’ races originated when the sport was still organised by and on behalf of the traditional owner-breeders. Horses were entered for the race when they were foals, the races often having prize-money out of all proportion to their importance. They eventually became outdated and were phased out in the early 1960s. Birmingham had two such races, the Warwickshire Breeders’ Foal Plate and the Midland Breeders’ Foal Plate. Both were long-established contests and existed until the course’s closure in 1965.
One of Jim’s final mounts was on Fair Fun at Yarmouth on August 2, 1950. He hung up his boots soon afterwards, having ridden over 130 winners in Britain.
One of Jim’s final mounts was on Fair Fun at Yarmouth on August 2, 1950. He hung up his boots soon afterwards, having ridden over 130 winners in Britain.
Sadly, he was not destined to enjoy a long and happy retirement, dying at his home in Newmarket on January 13, 1956, aged only 43.
Sadly, he was not destined to enjoy a long and happy retirement, dying at his home in Newmarket on January 13, 1956, aged only 43.
