Tom Savage
c1868 -1918
c1868 -1918
National Hunt jockey Thomas Savage rode 110 winners over jumps between 1890 and 1909. They included a winner on the final day’s racing at Keele Park.
National Hunt jockey Thomas Savage rode 110 winners over jumps between 1890 and 1909. They included a winner on the final day’s racing at Keele Park.
Tom had his first ride in public at Manchester on February 21, 1890, finishing unplaced on Patchouli in the Friday Selling Hurdle. Manchester was also the venue for his first winner two months later, riding Minstrel to victory in the 2½-mile Hunters’ Selling Chase on April 8, 1890.
Tom had his first ride in public at Manchester on February 21, 1890, finishing unplaced on Patchouli in the Friday Selling Hurdle. Manchester was also the venue for his first winner two months later, riding Minstrel to victory in the 2½-mile Hunters’ Selling Chase on April 8, 1890.
Tom’s career was at its height in the first five years of the 20th century. He rode at treble at Bridgnorth on April 21, 1900, winning the first three races on well-backed favourites: the Maiden Hurdle on Patton (evens), the Selling Chase on Little Norton (also evens) and the Tradesmen’s Selling Hurdle on Ulterior (2-1 on).
Tom’s career was at its height in the first five years of the 20th century. He rode at treble at Bridgnorth on April 21, 1900, winning the first three races on well-backed favourites: the Maiden Hurdle on Patton (evens), the Selling Chase on Little Norton (also evens) and the Tradesmen’s Selling Hurdle on Ulterior (2-1 on).
He enjoyed his most successful year in 1903 with 19 wins. On November 3, 1904 he landed another treble, this time at Hereford, winning the Widemarsh Selling Hurdle on Funchal, the Town Chase on Faim, and a match for the Hereford Open Chase on Misty Light, finishing alone after the odds-on favourite had fallen. He finished the year with 11 wins and followed that with 10 in both 1905 and 1906.
He enjoyed his most successful year in 1903 with 19 wins. On November 3, 1904 he landed another treble, this time at Hereford, winning the Widemarsh Selling Hurdle on Funchal, the Town Chase on Faim, and a match for the Hereford Open Chase on Misty Light, finishing alone after the odds-on favourite had fallen. He finished the year with 11 wins and followed that with 10 in both 1905 and 1906.
His wins in 1906 included Trueman in the Sefton Handicap Chase on the final day’s racing at Keele Park on Thursday, October 18.
His wins in 1906 included Trueman in the Sefton Handicap Chase on the final day’s racing at Keele Park on Thursday, October 18.
Keele Park, near Newcastle-under-Lyme, built on land belonging to Ralph Sneyd, had opened for business in May 1895. For whatever reason, the Staffordshire venue was unpopular with various sections of the sporting press. Likewise, owners and trainers tended to look elsewhere, being under the misguided impression that it was hard to get to. In fact, the course was just two miles from Keele Station and three miles from Newcastle-under-Lyme. There was also a station half a mile from the course, open on race days only. Travel, at least by train, could hardly have been easier.
Keele Park, near Newcastle-under-Lyme, built on land belonging to Ralph Sneyd, had opened for business in May 1895. For whatever reason, the Staffordshire venue was unpopular with various sections of the sporting press. Likewise, owners and trainers tended to look elsewhere, being under the misguided impression that it was hard to get to. In fact, the course was just two miles from Keele Station and three miles from Newcastle-under-Lyme. There was also a station half a mile from the course, open on race days only. Travel, at least by train, could hardly have been easier.
Uttoxeter, which staged its inaugural meeting on May 3, 1907, less than a year after Keele Park’s closure, became the latter’s replacement. The site on which Keele Park once stood now lies buried under Keele Services on a busy stretch of the M6.
Uttoxeter, which staged its inaugural meeting on May 3, 1907, less than a year after Keele Park’s closure, became the latter’s replacement. The site on which Keele Park once stood now lies buried under Keele Services on a busy stretch of the M6.
Although Tom rode more than 100 winners, he never enjoyed a big race success, coming closest when finishing second, beaten three-quarters of a length, on Creolin in the 1906 Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham.
Although Tom rode more than 100 winners, he never enjoyed a big race success, coming closest when finishing second, beaten three-quarters of a length, on Creolin in the 1906 Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham.
He rode his last winner on Working Girl in the Spa Maiden Chase at the North Warwickshire meeting at Leamington on March 31, 1909. His career ended with a fall at the annual Rugby Hunt fixture on March 10, 1910.
He rode his last winner on Working Girl in the Spa Maiden Chase at the North Warwickshire meeting at Leamington on March 31, 1909. His career ended with a fall at the annual Rugby Hunt fixture on March 10, 1910.
Tom Savage died on April 1, 1918.
Tom Savage died on April 1, 1918.
Tom's wins in 1906 included Trueman in the Sefton Handicap Chase
Tom's wins in 1906 included Trueman in the Sefton Handicap Chase
on the final day’s racing at Keele Park on Thursday, October 18.
on the final day’s racing at Keele Park on Thursday, October 18.