John Joicey Straker was born in Northumberland on April 30, 1917, and was the son of Major Ian Straker (1888-1970) who rode 31 winners as an amateur.
He rode his first winner on Bronze Arrow in the Lewes Handicap Chase at Plumpton on January 28, 1948.
John rode many winners as an amateur including Ballyhartfield in the 1949 Foxhunters' at Aintree (the only horse to finish without falling).
He rode four times in the National, finishing sixth on his own mare, Gentle Moya.
At Perth, in 1960, riding Much Improved, John broke his neck and was paralysed.
John's brother, Clive, (1926-1980) rode 108 winners.
John Straker died on July 29, 1970. He left £207,863.
1948: Lancashire Chase - Bronze Arrow
1949: Liverpool Foxhunters' - Ballyhartfield
1954: Eider Chase - Gentle Moya