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The son of a crane maintenance man, John Seagrave was born in Mexborough, South Yorkshire, on March 31st 1933 and served his apprenticeship with Billy Smallwood and Ernie Davey from 1947 to 1955.
The son of a crane maintenance man, John Seagrave was born in Mexborough, South Yorkshire, on March 31st 1933 and served his apprenticeship with Billy Smallwood and Ernie Davey from 1947 to 1955.
His first winner was Sangro, at Lincoln on September 17, 1948, but his career only took off some twenty years late when he rode regularly for the likes of Pat Rohan, Rufus Beasley and Bill Elsey
His first winner was Sangro, at Lincoln on September 17, 1948, but his career only took off some twenty years late when he rode regularly for the likes of Pat Rohan, Rufus Beasley and Bill Elsey
Johnny landed his first major retainer at the age of 39 - he rode for Paul Davey, one of David Robinson's private trainers.
Johnny landed his first major retainer at the age of 39 - he rode for Paul Davey, one of David Robinson's private trainers.
He returned to the North of England in 1975. He was badly injured in a racefall in 1978, and did not return to riding until the following year.
He returned to the North of England in 1975. He was badly injured in a racefall in 1978, and did not return to riding until the following year.
As a result of another fall in October, 1983, which left him with impaired vision of his right eye, he was forced to retire the following spring.
As a result of another fall in October, 1983, which left him with impaired vision of his right eye, he was forced to retire the following spring.
In the first 17 years of his career, he rode just 81 winners. In the last 19, he rode 849.
In the first 17 years of his career, he rode just 81 winners. In the last 19, he rode 849.
His best season came in 1969 with 76 winners.
His best season came in 1969 with 76 winners.
Johnny's greatest successes were Music Boy (Gimcrack), Roman Warrior (Ayr Gold Cup) and Princely Son (Vernons Sprint. The nearest he got to classic glory came on Meadowville in the 1970 St Leger when he finished second to the mighty Nijinsky.
Johnny's greatest successes were Music Boy (Gimcrack), Roman Warrior (Ayr Gold Cup) and Princely Son (Vernons Sprint. The nearest he got to classic glory came on Meadowville in the 1970 St Leger when he finished second to the mighty Nijinsky.
A fearless jockey, he would ride the most recalcitrant of horses which more safety-first jockeys would refuse.
A fearless jockey, he would ride the most recalcitrant of horses which more safety-first jockeys would refuse.
After he retired, he embarked on a successful greyhound career. He trained and ran them at Hull dogtrack.
After he retired, he embarked on a successful greyhound career. He trained and ran them at Hull dogtrack.
Johnny was a keen golfer and his regular golf companion was ex-jockey Eddie Hide. He also enjoyed a game of snooker.
Johnny was a keen golfer and his regular golf companion was ex-jockey Eddie Hide. He also enjoyed a game of snooker.
Johnny lived at 101, Pately Terrace, Norton, Yorkshire.
Johnny lived at 101, Pately Terrace, Norton, Yorkshire.
On March 14, 1959, he married Sheila May. She gave him one son, Kenneth John, and one daughter, Andrea.
On March 14, 1959, he married Sheila May. She gave him one son, Kenneth John, and one daughter, Andrea.
Johnny Seagrave was 76 when he died in November 2009.
Johnny Seagrave was 76 when he died in November 2009.
John Seagrave
John Seagrave
Big winners:
Big winners:
1968: Magnet Cup – Farm Walk
1968: Magnet Cup – Farm Walk
1969: Thirsk Classic Trial – Rebel Prince
1969: Thirsk Classic Trial – Rebel Prince
1969: Usher-Vaux Gold Tankard – Alignment
1969: Usher-Vaux Gold Tankard – Alignment
1969: Lanark Silver Bell – Shanghai
1969: Lanark Silver Bell – Shanghai
1970: Thirsk Hunt Cup – Sovereign Bill
1970: Thirsk Hunt Cup – Sovereign Bill
1970: Windsor Castle Stakes – Lush Park
1970: Windsor Castle Stakes – Lush Park
1970: Andy Capp Handicap – Quayside
1970: Andy Capp Handicap – Quayside
1972: Zetland Gold Cup – Happy Hunter
1972: Zetland Gold Cup – Happy Hunter
1972: Lanark Silver Bell – Nyeri
1972: Lanark Silver Bell – Nyeri
1974: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Princely Son
1974: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Princely Son
1974: Vernons Sprint Cup – Princely Son
1974: Vernons Sprint Cup – Princely Son
1975: Windsor Castle Stakes – Music Boy
1975: Windsor Castle Stakes – Music Boy
1975: Gimcrack Stakes – Music Boy
1975: Gimcrack Stakes – Music Boy
1975: Gosforth Park Cup – Roman Warrior
1975: Gosforth Park Cup – Roman Warrior
1975: Ayr Gold Cup – Roman Warrior
1975: Ayr Gold Cup – Roman Warrior
1975: Diadem Stakes – Roman Warrior (dead-heat)
1975: Diadem Stakes – Roman Warrior (dead-heat)
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