John Spouse
National Hunt jockey John Alfred Spouse started his racing life with Jack Berry, who had only just set out on what was to become a highly successful training career. At the time, John knew nothing about horses, but he was keen and willing to learn.
National Hunt jockey John Alfred Spouse started his racing life with Jack Berry, who had only just set out on what was to become a highly successful training career. At the time, John knew nothing about horses, but he was keen and willing to learn.
Jack tells a story on his first book ‘It’s Tougher at the Bottom’ of an occasion when he gave John a leg-up onto a young horse he was breaking. Just as he put him up, John shouted “Let me go and change my trousers!” Jack replied “Don’t be so bloody soft. You should come to work in the right clothes to start with.” As Jack drove past him riding down the road, he thought John looked a bit odd sat on the horse, the way his back was bent, and wondered if he had “messed himself” and that was why he wanted to change his trousers. When Jack was out of sight, John did a swift about-turn and went back to the yard. It transpired he’d split his trousers and didn’t have any underpants on!
Jack tells a story on his first book ‘It’s Tougher at the Bottom’ of an occasion when he gave John a leg-up onto a young horse he was breaking. Just as he put him up, John shouted “Let me go and change my trousers!” Jack replied “Don’t be so bloody soft. You should come to work in the right clothes to start with.” As Jack drove past him riding down the road, he thought John looked a bit odd sat on the horse, the way his back was bent, and wondered if he had “messed himself” and that was why he wanted to change his trousers. When Jack was out of sight, John did a swift about-turn and went back to the yard. It transpired he’d split his trousers and didn’t have any underpants on!
John rode his first winner on Camasco, trained by Jack, in the Ferneyhill Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle at Kelso on October 24, 1970. His second was achieved in the very same race 12 months later on another of Jack’s horses, Roger’s Bet.
John rode his first winner on Camasco, trained by Jack, in the Ferneyhill Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle at Kelso on October 24, 1970. His second was achieved in the very same race 12 months later on another of Jack’s horses, Roger’s Bet.
Jack recalls that John turned out to be “a really good lad” and a big help during his early training days. However, John eventually moved south to further his career. He rode just two more winners, both in the 1974/75 season, firstly on Arthur Moore’s novice chaser Terry Rogers at Fontwell in November 1974, secondly on selling hurdler John Crocker at Devon & Exeter in March 1975.
Jack recalls that John turned out to be “a really good lad” and a big help during his early training days. However, John eventually moved south to further his career. He rode just two more winners, both in the 1974/75 season, firstly on Arthur Moore’s novice chaser Terry Rogers at Fontwell in November 1974, secondly on selling hurdler John Crocker at Devon & Exeter in March 1975.
Having hung up his race-riding boots, John moved to Newmarket and became long-serving travelling head lad for Clive Brittain.
Having hung up his race-riding boots, John moved to Newmarket and became long-serving travelling head lad for Clive Brittain.
John Spouse’s winners were, in chronological order:
John Spouse’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Camasco, Kelso, October 24, 1970
1. Camasco, Kelso, October 24, 1970
2. Roger’s Bet, Kelso, October 23, 1971
2. Roger’s Bet, Kelso, October 23, 1971
3. Terry Rogers, Fontwell Park, November 11, 1974
3. Terry Rogers, Fontwell Park, November 11, 1974
4. John Crocker, Devon & Exeter, March 22, 1975
4. John Crocker, Devon & Exeter, March 22, 1975