Jim Storie
1884-1961
1884-1961
Born in 1884, amateur rider James Clapperton Storie, always known as Jim, rode 39 winners under National Hunt rules between 1905 and 1928.
Born in 1884, amateur rider James Clapperton Storie, always known as Jim, rode 39 winners under National Hunt rules between 1905 and 1928.
He appeared for the first time under NH rules when finishing second, beaten six lengths, on Standerton in the East Lothian Selling Handicap Chase at Dunbar on September 19, 1904. He rode his first winner when guiding 8-1 chance Ballinclair to a half-length victory in the Hill Top Selling Chase at Hexham on Whit Monday, June 12, 1905.
He appeared for the first time under NH rules when finishing second, beaten six lengths, on Standerton in the East Lothian Selling Handicap Chase at Dunbar on September 19, 1904. He rode his first winner when guiding 8-1 chance Ballinclair to a half-length victory in the Hill Top Selling Chase at Hexham on Whit Monday, June 12, 1905.
It was at Hexham five years later, May 5, 1910, that Jim, riding Calliope, pipped top-class amateur rider Captain Percy Bewicke in the Tynedale National Hunt Flat Race. Captain Bewicke, who was riding the 7-1 on certainty Herbert Vincent, wore an immaculate white hunting stock which restricted the movement of his head. Jim drove his mount up on Captain Bewicke’s blind side and beat him by a head. The captain was furious. When he got back to the weighing room he threw his saddle down and swore he would never ride in another race. He stayed true to his word and never did. Later that month Herbert Vincent won by eight lengths at Uttoxeter ridden by Bob Chadwick.
It was at Hexham five years later, May 5, 1910, that Jim, riding Calliope, pipped top-class amateur rider Captain Percy Bewicke in the Tynedale National Hunt Flat Race. Captain Bewicke, who was riding the 7-1 on certainty Herbert Vincent, wore an immaculate white hunting stock which restricted the movement of his head. Jim drove his mount up on Captain Bewicke’s blind side and beat him by a head. The captain was furious. When he got back to the weighing room he threw his saddle down and swore he would never ride in another race. He stayed true to his word and never did. Later that month Herbert Vincent won by eight lengths at Uttoxeter ridden by Bob Chadwick.
Jim enjoyed his two best years in 1913 and 1914 with seven winners in each. His 1913 haul included two wins in a day on the same horse at Kelso in October. Having ridden Sorbet to win the first race on the card, the Yeomanry Hurdle, they were reunited later in the day in the Springwood Selling Handicap Hurdle, which Sorbet won by a length and a half. There was no bid for the winner at the post-trace auction.
Jim enjoyed his two best years in 1913 and 1914 with seven winners in each. His 1913 haul included two wins in a day on the same horse at Kelso in October. Having ridden Sorbet to win the first race on the card, the Yeomanry Hurdle, they were reunited later in the day in the Springwood Selling Handicap Hurdle, which Sorbet won by a length and a half. There was no bid for the winner at the post-trace auction.
His seven wins in 1914 included a double at Hexham on Whit Monday, annexing the Shire Selling Handicap Hurdle on Slievereagh and the Battle Hill National Hunt Flat Race on Hooded Chat. He finished tenth in that year’s curtailed amateur riders’ table.
His seven wins in 1914 included a double at Hexham on Whit Monday, annexing the Shire Selling Handicap Hurdle on Slievereagh and the Battle Hill National Hunt Flat Race on Hooded Chat. He finished tenth in that year’s curtailed amateur riders’ table.
He had two attempts at Cheltenham’s National Hunt Chase but failed to finish on either occasion. He pulled up 25-1 outsider Chance VIII in 1914 and fell on 20-1 shot Barue the following year.
He had two attempts at Cheltenham’s National Hunt Chase but failed to finish on either occasion. He pulled up 25-1 outsider Chance VIII in 1914 and fell on 20-1 shot Barue the following year.
After World War One, Jim resumed riding on a limited scale in the 1920s but met with only occasional success. From June 1925 he rode as ‘Captain J. C. Storie’ rather than plain ‘Mr’.
After World War One, Jim resumed riding on a limited scale in the 1920s but met with only occasional success. From June 1925 he rode as ‘Captain J. C. Storie’ rather than plain ‘Mr’.
He ended his race-riding career on a high note when winning by 10 lengths on his final mount, 6-1 on favourite Rushaway, in the Tynedale National Hunt Flat Race at Hexham on May 3, 1928. It was the perfect way to finish, for this was the very same race in which he had sneaked up on the blind side of Captain Bewicke 18 years earlier.
He ended his race-riding career on a high note when winning by 10 lengths on his final mount, 6-1 on favourite Rushaway, in the Tynedale National Hunt Flat Race at Hexham on May 3, 1928. It was the perfect way to finish, for this was the very same race in which he had sneaked up on the blind side of Captain Bewicke 18 years earlier.
Jim Storie, a popular figure on the northern racing circuit, died on April 3, 1961.
Jim Storie, a popular figure on the northern racing circuit, died on April 3, 1961.
