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John Snaith
John Snaith
The son of successful Flat jockey Willie Snaith, John Snaith was always going to follow in his father’s footsteps.
The son of successful Flat jockey Willie Snaith, John Snaith was always going to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Christened William John but always known by his second Christian name, John Snaith was born on October 10, 1955. He was taken racing for the first time at Newmarket’s July Course, where he sat between his father and fellow jockey Tony Murray.
Christened William John but always known by his second Christian name, John Snaith was born on October 10, 1955. He was taken racing for the first time at Newmarket’s July Course, where he sat between his father and fellow jockey Tony Murray.
He began his racing career as an apprentice with Brian Swift at Epsom and rode his first winner on Prince Gourmet in a one-mile apprentices’ handicap at Sandown on May 28, 1974. However, his heart was always set on jumping, and he received a major boost when Swift sent him to Plumpton to school horses over hurdles alongside top National Hunt jockey David Mould.
He began his racing career as an apprentice with Brian Swift at Epsom and rode his first winner on Prince Gourmet in a one-mile apprentices’ handicap at Sandown on May 28, 1974. However, his heart was always set on jumping, and he received a major boost when Swift sent him to Plumpton to school horses over hurdles alongside top National Hunt jockey David Mould.
The horse that got him going was Swift’s seventeen-hand grey hurdler Zarajeff. John won a pair of novice hurdles on him at Ascot in October and Windsor in November 1976.
The horse that got him going was Swift’s seventeen-hand grey hurdler Zarajeff. John won a pair of novice hurdles on him at Ascot in October and Windsor in November 1976.
However, the absence of chasers in Swift’s yard persuaded John to join Nick Gaselee at Lambourn. Among the winners he rode for Gaselee was Kildimo Star in a Towcester novices’ hurdle on December 21, 1977, a photo of which appeared on the front page of the following day’s Sporting Life. He also rode in France for Martin Blackshaw.
However, the absence of chasers in Swift’s yard persuaded John to join Nick Gaselee at Lambourn. Among the winners he rode for Gaselee was Kildimo Star in a Towcester novices’ hurdle on December 21, 1977, a photo of which appeared on the front page of the following day’s Sporting Life. He also rode in France for Martin Blackshaw.
He eventually turned freelance and began riding for people he didn’t really know. That’s when the falls started to come. He had quite a few concussions close together.
He eventually turned freelance and began riding for people he didn’t really know. That’s when the falls started to come. He had quite a few concussions close together.
The fall that ended his career came at Aintree when his mount Oaklawn refused and unseated him at the last open ditch in the 1983 Topham Trophy. John was hurled into the ditch and fractured his skull. He woke up six weeks later from an induced coma. Ten days after that he was told he would never ride in a race again. The specialist told him he was punch drunk. At the age of 28, his career was over.
The fall that ended his career came at Aintree when his mount Oaklawn refused and unseated him at the last open ditch in the 1983 Topham Trophy. John was hurled into the ditch and fractured his skull. He woke up six weeks later from an induced coma. Ten days after that he was told he would never ride in a race again. The specialist told him he was punch drunk. At the age of 28, his career was over.
John was devastated and suffered from depression. He had two major breakdowns, the worst one put him in hospital for four months. During that time, the Injured Jockeys Fund, in particular almoner Serena Oxley, played a major part in his rehabilitation. He underwent a series of ECT (Electronic Convulsive Treatment) scans.
John was devastated and suffered from depression. He had two major breakdowns, the worst one put him in hospital for four months. During that time, the Injured Jockeys Fund, in particular almoner Serena Oxley, played a major part in his rehabilitation. He underwent a series of ECT (Electronic Convulsive Treatment) scans.
Having completed his recovery, he first worked as a gardener and then was employed at the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket for ten years until 2018, a job he thoroughly enjoyed. His duties included inviting visitors to have a go at riding the equine simulator, both at the museum and also on location at racecourses all over the country.
Having completed his recovery, he first worked as a gardener and then was employed at the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket for ten years until 2018, a job he thoroughly enjoyed. His duties included inviting visitors to have a go at riding the equine simulator, both at the museum and also on location at racecourses all over the country.
John Snaith died suddenly at his home in Weston Way, Newmarket, on Saturday, April 8, 2023, aged 67. He left his partner, Emma Powney, son Louis, brother Derek and sister Helen.
John Snaith died suddenly at his home in Weston Way, Newmarket, on Saturday, April 8, 2023, aged 67. He left his partner, Emma Powney, son Louis, brother Derek and sister Helen.
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