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Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Flat jockey Joseph Shatwell was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, on March 8, 1884, the son of Robert Shatwell, a foreman in a cotton mill. His mother was Sarah Ann. He was baptised at St Michael's, Ashton-under-Lyne.
Flat jockey Joseph Shatwell was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, on March 8, 1884, the son of Robert Shatwell, a foreman in a cotton mill. His mother was Sarah Ann. He was baptised at St Michael's, Ashton-under-Lyne.
On the recommendation of George Hodgman, he was apprenticed to Harry Sadler at Newmarket, but after riding Portcullis in the 1904 Lincoln won by Uninsured, he migrated to the continent.
On the recommendation of George Hodgman, he was apprenticed to Harry Sadler at Newmarket, but after riding Portcullis in the 1904 Lincoln won by Uninsured, he migrated to the continent.
He served a further apprenticeship with Belgium trainer Alfred Vanhensberg at Stenockerzeele, scoring his initial success on Viens Poupoule at Groenendael, on September 24, 1905.
He served a further apprenticeship with Belgium trainer Alfred Vanhensberg at Stenockerzeele, scoring his initial success on Viens Poupoule at Groenendael, on September 24, 1905.
In 1906, Joe scored on 38 occasions in Belgium and 5 in Holland, including victory in the Grand Prix Gommerc of £2,500 at Boitsfort riding Mordienne, which he later claimed to be the best he'd ridden.
In 1906, Joe scored on 38 occasions in Belgium and 5 in Holland, including victory in the Grand Prix Gommerc of £2,500 at Boitsfort riding Mordienne, which he later claimed to be the best he'd ridden.
The next season he rode 82 winners.
The next season he rode 82 winners.
He then had the distinction of riding three consecutive winners of the three-and-a-half miles Belgium Cesarewitch (the Prix du Chalet): Terrassier - 1911 & 1912 and Godieta in 1913. After surviving an objection in the 1911 race - by the owner, Mr Woodland of the second, Quatian - he was threatened with a shotgun by the runner-up's jockey, Tod Sloan. Fortunately, nothing came of it.
He then had the distinction of riding three consecutive winners of the three-and-a-half miles Belgium Cesarewitch (the Prix du Chalet): Terrassier - 1911 & 1912 and Godieta in 1913. After surviving an objection in the 1911 race - by the owner, Mr Woodland of the second, Quatian - he was threatened with a shotgun by the runner-up's jockey, Tod Sloan. Fortunately, nothing came of it.
Despite being a natural lightweight, he was also a useful wrestler and, in February, 1914, defeated Young Dawson, the Openshaw boxer/wrestler, in the initial round of the Northern Counties Amateur Catch-As-Catch-Can Championship at Andenshaw.
Despite being a natural lightweight, he was also a useful wrestler and, in February, 1914, defeated Young Dawson, the Openshaw boxer/wrestler, in the initial round of the Northern Counties Amateur Catch-As-Catch-Can Championship at Andenshaw.
He served four years' internment at Ruhleben during the war, arriving back home in 1918. Throughout his internment he experienced hard times and said later that he would have starved but for the parcels he received from home.
He served four years' internment at Ruhleben during the war, arriving back home in 1918. Throughout his internment he experienced hard times and said later that he would have starved but for the parcels he received from home.
He also said that he was intending to apply for a National Hunt licence.
He also said that he was intending to apply for a National Hunt licence.
Before the war, Joe had been offered an £800 retainer to ride for a Mr Florick. That owner now wanted Joe to train for him but the German Jockey Club refused to sanction the application for a licence.
Before the war, Joe had been offered an £800 retainer to ride for a Mr Florick. That owner now wanted Joe to train for him but the German Jockey Club refused to sanction the application for a licence.
His best years in the saddle were those immediately following the Great War, beginning with a big race victory on Tom Pepper in the 1919 Chester Cup.
His best years in the saddle were those immediately following the Great War, beginning with a big race victory on Tom Pepper in the 1919 Chester Cup.
He rode two winners on the opening day of the 1921 Royal Ascot meeting, landing the Coventry Stakes on Pondoland and the Queen Mary Stakes on Wild Mint. His most important success in 1922 came on a horse named Fodder in the Chester Vase.
He rode two winners on the opening day of the 1921 Royal Ascot meeting, landing the Coventry Stakes on Pondoland and the Queen Mary Stakes on Wild Mint. His most important success in 1922 came on a horse named Fodder in the Chester Vase.
Joe lived in Ashton-under-Lyne with his Belgian wife, who had returned to Brussels when war broke out.
Joe lived in Ashton-under-Lyne with his Belgian wife, who had returned to Brussels when war broke out.
He retired from riding in 1926 and was declared bankrupt the following year.
He retired from riding in 1926 and was declared bankrupt the following year.
On Tuesday, 22 March 1927, Joe failed to appear at his public examination at the old Bailey (he was reported to be in Ceylon). The examination was adjourned sine die.
On Tuesday, 22 March 1927, Joe failed to appear at his public examination at the old Bailey (he was reported to be in Ceylon). The examination was adjourned sine die.
Joe suffered greatly with peritonitis in his last years.
Joe suffered greatly with peritonitis in his last years.
Joe won the 1914 Chester Cup (May 14) on Tom Pepper
Joe won the 1914 Chester Cup (May 14) on Tom Pepper
On Tuesday, 14 June 1921, Joe won both the Coventry and the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot.
On Tuesday, 14 June 1921, Joe won both the Coventry and the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot.
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