Reginald Spares
Reginald Spares
Reginald Spares
1897-1968
1897-1968
National Hunt jockey Reginald George Spares was born in Worcester in 1897. He enjoyed his best season in 1920 with ten wins. Seven of those were gained between February and May on the six-year-old chaser Master Picton, trained by Frank Brown.
National Hunt jockey Reginald George Spares was born in Worcester in 1897. He enjoyed his best season in 1920 with ten wins. Seven of those were gained between February and May on the six-year-old chaser Master Picton, trained by Frank Brown.
They started their winning ways on 2 February in the Wallaton Chase at Nottingham, beating future Grand National winner Music Hall by a length. They followed up two days later at Warwick, then finished second, beaten four lengths, at Leicester on 16 February.
They started their winning ways on 2 February in the Wallaton Chase at Nottingham, beating future Grand National winner Music Hall by a length. They followed up two days later at Warwick, then finished second, beaten four lengths, at Leicester on 16 February.
Having finished unplaced in higher grade company at Sandown Park, Reginald and Master Picton then won their next five, beginning with victory in the British Camp Chase at Colwall Park on 22 March. They then won the Newark Handicap Chase at Southwell on 3 April, the Staffordshire Chase at Uttoxeter on Easter Monday, the Ludlow Chase at that Shropshire venue on 22 April, and, finally, the Land o’ Plums Chase at Pershore on 3 May.
Having finished unplaced in higher grade company at Sandown Park, Reginald and Master Picton then won their next five, beginning with victory in the British Camp Chase at Colwall Park on 22 March. They then won the Newark Handicap Chase at Southwell on 3 April, the Staffordshire Chase at Uttoxeter on Easter Monday, the Ludlow Chase at that Shropshire venue on 22 April, and, finally, the Land o’ Plums Chase at Pershore on 3 May.
On their last start together, they finished second, beaten three lengths, in the eponymously titled Cheltenham Handicap Chase on 10 November.
On their last start together, they finished second, beaten three lengths, in the eponymously titled Cheltenham Handicap Chase on 10 November.
That was by far Reginald’s most successful year. He rode three winners in 1921 and four in 1922. He also rode 100-1 outsider Arabian Knight in the 1922 Grand National but fell at the first fence.
That was by far Reginald’s most successful year. He rode three winners in 1921 and four in 1922. He also rode 100-1 outsider Arabian Knight in the 1922 Grand National but fell at the first fence.
Having drawn a blank in 1923, Reginald rode his last four winners in 1924. The first two were gained on selling chaser Hackam at Plumpton on 23 January and Lingfield Park on 8 February. The last two came courtesy of a double at Windsor on 13 February, winning the Bridge Selling Hurdle on Perico and the Berkshire Handicap Chase on Pride of Manister.
Having drawn a blank in 1923, Reginald rode his last four winners in 1924. The first two were gained on selling chaser Hackam at Plumpton on 23 January and Lingfield Park on 8 February. The last two came courtesy of a double at Windsor on 13 February, winning the Bridge Selling Hurdle on Perico and the Berkshire Handicap Chase on Pride of Manister.
Reginald Spares died on Henley-on-Thames in 1968, aged 71. He was the father of Charlie (Chuck) Spares who won the 1951 Epsom Derby on 28/1 outsider Arctic Prince.
Reginald Spares died on Henley-on-Thames in 1968, aged 71. He was the father of Charlie (Chuck) Spares who won the 1951 Epsom Derby on 28/1 outsider Arctic Prince.
Reg's last two winners: Windsor 13 Feb 1924