John Stennings
John Stennings
John Stennings
National Hunt jockey John Stennings rode two winners in Ireland before crossing the Irish Sea and adding three more in the early 1950s. He registered his first winner on 8-1 chance Sharp Command in the Killiney Handicap Hurdle at Naas on September 4, 1948, beating none other than Martin Molony on Aryol by a neck.
National Hunt jockey John Stennings rode two winners in Ireland before crossing the Irish Sea and adding three more in the early 1950s. He registered his first winner on 8-1 chance Sharp Command in the Killiney Handicap Hurdle at Naas on September 4, 1948, beating none other than Martin Molony on Aryol by a neck.
His second winner would turn out to be, though not until some years later, the best horse he ever rode. This was Gentle Moya, who was still just a four-year-old filly, and a 20-1 shot at that, when John steered her to a length and a half victory in the Barrow Maiden Hurdle (Division 2) at Naas on January 7, 1950.
His second winner would turn out to be, though not until some years later, the best horse he ever rode. This was Gentle Moya, who was still just a four-year-old filly, and a 20-1 shot at that, when John steered her to a length and a half victory in the Barrow Maiden Hurdle (Division 2) at Naas on January 7, 1950.
John arrived in England for the start of the 1950/51 campaign and soon registered his first success on British soil when Queen Of The Dandies won the Legsby Handicap Chase at Market Rasen on September 23, 1950. He then joined forces with Lincoln-based trainer David Machin, for whom he narrowly got Country Planning home by head in a three-way finish for the De Aston Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen on March 10, 1951. He ended the season with just those two wins from a total of sixteen mounts.
John arrived in England for the start of the 1950/51 campaign and soon registered his first success on British soil when Queen Of The Dandies won the Legsby Handicap Chase at Market Rasen on September 23, 1950. He then joined forces with Lincoln-based trainer David Machin, for whom he narrowly got Country Planning home by head in a three-way finish for the De Aston Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen on March 10, 1951. He ended the season with just those two wins from a total of sixteen mounts.
From only ten rides throughout the 1951/52 campaign, he managed one winner, Turkish Beau, also trained by David Machin, in the Walesby Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1), again at Market Rasen, on May 10, 1952. They finished third when attempting a follow-up success at Wetherby on Whit Monday.
From only ten rides throughout the 1951/52 campaign, he managed one winner, Turkish Beau, also trained by David Machin, in the Walesby Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1), again at Market Rasen, on May 10, 1952. They finished third when attempting a follow-up success at Wetherby on Whit Monday.
John had just a handful of rides the following season. He only rode Turkish Beau once, when finishing fourth on the horse’s seasonal debut at Market Rasen in September. Market Rasen was also the venue for what appears to have been his final ride in England, on December 27, 1952, when finishing unplaced on 13-year-old Rosbercon in the Tealby Selling Handicap Hurdle.
John had just a handful of rides the following season. He only rode Turkish Beau once, when finishing fourth on the horse’s seasonal debut at Market Rasen in September. Market Rasen was also the venue for what appears to have been his final ride in England, on December 27, 1952, when finishing unplaced on 13-year-old Rosbercon in the Tealby Selling Handicap Hurdle.
As for Gentle Moya, she went on to win the 1954 Eider Chase, ridden by her owner John Straker, then carried him to sixth place in the 1955 Grand National, before finishing second, partnered by George Milburn, behind E.S.B. in the famous ‘Devon Loch’ National of 1956.
As for Gentle Moya, she went on to win the 1954 Eider Chase, ridden by her owner John Straker, then carried him to sixth place in the 1955 Grand National, before finishing second, partnered by George Milburn, behind E.S.B. in the famous ‘Devon Loch’ National of 1956.
By then, John had returned to Ireland where he continued his career, riding his last winner on Commandeer, trained by Tom Taaffe, father of Pat and Tos, in the Killeen Maiden Hurdle at Navan on November 29, 1959. By one of those strange coincidences, Commander was later trained by Bobby Fairbairn at Galashiels, in Scotland, for whom he won handicap hurdles at Ayr and Cheltenham in the autumn of 1964, ridden on both occasions by none other than Gentle Moya’s regular partner George Milburn.
By then, John had returned to Ireland where he continued his career, riding his last winner on Commandeer, trained by Tom Taaffe, father of Pat and Tos, in the Killeen Maiden Hurdle at Navan on November 29, 1959. By one of those strange coincidences, Commander was later trained by Bobby Fairbairn at Galashiels, in Scotland, for whom he won handicap hurdles at Ayr and Cheltenham in the autumn of 1964, ridden on both occasions by none other than Gentle Moya’s regular partner George Milburn.
John Stennings’ winners were, in chronological order:
John Stennings’ winners were, in chronological order:
1. Sharp Command, Naas, September 4, 1948
1. Sharp Command, Naas, September 4, 1948
2. Gentle Moya, Naas, January 7, 1950
2. Gentle Moya, Naas, January 7, 1950
3. Queen Of The Dandies, Market Rasen, September 23, 1950
3. Queen Of The Dandies, Market Rasen, September 23, 1950
4. Country Planning, Market Rasen, March 10, 1951
4. Country Planning, Market Rasen, March 10, 1951
5. Turkish Beau, Market Rasen, May 10, 1952
5. Turkish Beau, Market Rasen, May 10, 1952
6. Commandeer, Navan, November 29, 1959
6. Commandeer, Navan, November 29, 1959
John Stenning's first win: Sharp Command, Naas, September 4, 1948
John Stenning's first win: Sharp Command, Naas, September 4, 1948
Gentle Moya, Naas, January 7, 1950. John's mount came from behind to snatch the spoils. Rusticana fell during the race and died from injury.
Gentle Moya, Naas, January 7, 1950. John's mount came from behind to snatch the spoils. Rusticana fell during the race and died from injury.