John Sutcliffe
1940 - 2021
1940 - 2021
Though better known as a trainer – he sent out Right Tack to win the 1969 English and Irish 2,000 Guineas – John Sutcliffe was no slouch as a jockey, riding 58 winners as an amateur in a relatively brief career over jumps.
Though better known as a trainer – he sent out Right Tack to win the 1969 English and Irish 2,000 Guineas – John Sutcliffe was no slouch as a jockey, riding 58 winners as an amateur in a relatively brief career over jumps.
John Robert Earnshaw Sutcliffe was born on January 3, 1940. His father, also named John, trained the 1971 Grand National winner Specify. He joined Willie Stephenson’s Royston stable as an amateur rider in September 1956 and rode his first winner on Palissy in the Tudor Rose Hurdle at Hurst Park on February 8, 1957. The following month he rode Palissy to victory in Liverpool’s prestigious Coronation Hurdle.
John Robert Earnshaw Sutcliffe was born on January 3, 1940. His father, also named John, trained the 1971 Grand National winner Specify. He joined Willie Stephenson’s Royston stable as an amateur rider in September 1956 and rode his first winner on Palissy in the Tudor Rose Hurdle at Hurst Park on February 8, 1957. The following month he rode Palissy to victory in Liverpool’s prestigious Coronation Hurdle.
He rode a Boxing Day treble at Wolverhampton in 1957, landing the Stanton Selling Handicap Chase on Fairval, the Netherton Novices’ Hurdle on Olympus, and Wrekin Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle on Palissy.
He rode a Boxing Day treble at Wolverhampton in 1957, landing the Stanton Selling Handicap Chase on Fairval, the Netherton Novices’ Hurdle on Olympus, and Wrekin Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle on Palissy.
Retained by Epsom trainer Dermot Whelan, John became the champion amateur in 1958-59 when riding 18 winners. They included Palissy in the 1959 Monaveen Chase at Hurst Park.
Retained by Epsom trainer Dermot Whelan, John became the champion amateur in 1958-59 when riding 18 winners. They included Palissy in the 1959 Monaveen Chase at Hurst Park.
He began training in 1962, based at Woodruffe House, Epsom and saddled his first winner, Little Smokey, ridden by Fred Winter, at Huntingdon on October 30, 1962. His first winner on the Flat was Wayward Cous Cous in a five-runner two-year-old seller at Kempton on May 11, 1963.
He began training in 1962, based at Woodruffe House, Epsom and saddled his first winner, Little Smokey, ridden by Fred Winter, at Huntingdon on October 30, 1962. His first winner on the Flat was Wayward Cous Cous in a five-runner two-year-old seller at Kempton on May 11, 1963.
His early big race successes were mostly over jumps, including his sole Cheltenham Festival victory with Elan in 1964 in Division 2 of the Gloucestershire Hurdle. Other notable wins were the 1964 Mackeson Hurdle with Sky Pink, the 1965 Schweppes Gold Trophy with Elan, and the 1965 Imperial Cup with Kildavin.
His early big race successes were mostly over jumps, including his sole Cheltenham Festival victory with Elan in 1964 in Division 2 of the Gloucestershire Hurdle. Other notable wins were the 1964 Mackeson Hurdle with Sky Pink, the 1965 Schweppes Gold Trophy with Elan, and the 1965 Imperial Cup with Kildavin.
However, it was on the Flat that he was to record his greatest successes, most notably with Right Tack, who as a two-year-old won the Imperial Stakes and the Middle Park Stakes and then developed into a top miler at three in 1969 when successful in the British and Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
However, it was on the Flat that he was to record his greatest successes, most notably with Right Tack, who as a two-year-old won the Imperial Stakes and the Middle Park Stakes and then developed into a top miler at three in 1969 when successful in the British and Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Running parallel with Right Tack’s career was that of Jimmy Reppin, with whom John won the Hungerford Stakes and Goodwood Mile in 1968, followed by the Sussex Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and a second Hungerford Stakes in 1969.
Running parallel with Right Tack’s career was that of Jimmy Reppin, with whom John won the Hungerford Stakes and Goodwood Mile in 1968, followed by the Sussex Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and a second Hungerford Stakes in 1969.
Another significant horse from the yard during that period was the sprinter Mummy's Pet, winner of the 1970 Norfolk (now Flying Childers) Stakes and the 1971 Temple Stakes. Others included Hard Water (1968 Duke of York Stakes), The Brianstan (1971 Duke of York Stakes) and My Drifter (1973 Craven Stakes
Another significant horse from the yard during that period was the sprinter Mummy's Pet, winner of the 1970 Norfolk (now Flying Childers) Stakes and the 1971 Temple Stakes. Others included Hard Water (1968 Duke of York Stakes), The Brianstan (1971 Duke of York Stakes) and My Drifter (1973 Craven Stakes
He also landed a host of big handicaps during the 1970s and early 80s with the likes of Tempest Boy (1972 Royal Hunt Cup), Le Johnstan (1972 Wokingham), Jumpabout (1974 & 1975 Jubilee Handicap), Anji (1974 Ebor Handicap), My Hussar (1975 William Hill Gold Cup, 1977 Royal Hunt Cup), Il Padrone (1976 Extel Handicap), Last Tango (1976 Ayr Gold Cup), The Adrianstan (1979 Victoria Cup), and Tender Heart (1980 Royal Hunt Cup).
He also landed a host of big handicaps during the 1970s and early 80s with the likes of Tempest Boy (1972 Royal Hunt Cup), Le Johnstan (1972 Wokingham), Jumpabout (1974 & 1975 Jubilee Handicap), Anji (1974 Ebor Handicap), My Hussar (1975 William Hill Gold Cup, 1977 Royal Hunt Cup), Il Padrone (1976 Extel Handicap), Last Tango (1976 Ayr Gold Cup), The Adrianstan (1979 Victoria Cup), and Tender Heart (1980 Royal Hunt Cup).
He trained a total of 690 winners (603 Flat, 87 jumps) with his final victory coming courtesy of Gadge in the Tattersalls Sales Nursery Final at Newmarket, October 14, 1993.
He trained a total of 690 winners (603 Flat, 87 jumps) with his final victory coming courtesy of Gadge in the Tattersalls Sales Nursery Final at Newmarket, October 14, 1993.
After relinquishing his trainer’s licence, he relocated to Shrewsbury and lived with partner Jude Leighton. From there he ran a racing advisory service.
After relinquishing his trainer’s licence, he relocated to Shrewsbury and lived with partner Jude Leighton. From there he ran a racing advisory service.
John Sutcliffe died peacefully at home after a short illness on Saturday, September 18, 2021, aged 81. He was survived by daughters Nichola, Kate, Melanie and Julia and seven grandchildren.
John Sutcliffe died peacefully at home after a short illness on Saturday, September 18, 2021, aged 81. He was survived by daughters Nichola, Kate, Melanie and Julia and seven grandchildren.