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Tom Spire
Tom Spire
1860 -1928
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Having ridden ten winners in 1895, it took Welsh jump jockey Tom Spire six years to double that score.
Having ridden ten winners in 1895, it took Welsh jump jockey Tom Spire six years to double that score.
He had his first victory at Monmouth on March 14, 1895, when Ready Token won the Monnow Hurdle, beating Barbara, ridden by the good amateur William Villar, by a length. It was the five-year-old’s first race under National Hunt rules, and at the same course the next day they were reunited to finish third in the Raglan Hurdle.
He had his first victory at Monmouth on March 14, 1895, when Ready Token won the Monnow Hurdle, beating Barbara, ridden by the good amateur William Villar, by a length. It was the five-year-old’s first race under National Hunt rules, and at the same course the next day they were reunited to finish third in the Raglan Hurdle.
Four wins in 27 days on the chaser Hedgehog soon followed, then later in the year he recorded a double at Cardiff, although one was a walkover and the other was a three-horse race. He rode Hedgehog in the second running of the Welsh Grand National at Cardiff on April 6, 1896, finishing fifth of the 12 starters.
Four wins in 27 days on the chaser Hedgehog soon followed, then later in the year he recorded a double at Cardiff, although one was a walkover and the other was a three-horse race. He rode Hedgehog in the second running of the Welsh Grand National at Cardiff on April 6, 1896, finishing fifth of the 12 starters.
Altogether Tom won nine races of Hedgehog, although by the time of their last success, at Chepstow on March 26, 1900, the veteran had been renamed General Buller in honour of the Boer War campaigner.
Altogether Tom won nine races of Hedgehog, although by the time of their last success, at Chepstow on March 26, 1900, the veteran had been renamed General Buller in honour of the Boer War campaigner.
Tom’s final victory came on five-year-old Goldfinder II in the Caynham Handicap Hurdle at Ludlow on March 6, 1901, beating Ernie Acres’ mount Winkfield’s Dower by half a length despite having run out and retraced his steps.
Tom’s final victory came on five-year-old Goldfinder II in the Caynham Handicap Hurdle at Ludlow on March 6, 1901, beating Ernie Acres’ mount Winkfield’s Dower by half a length despite having run out and retraced his steps.
Tom’s final ride was on Lucky John, finishing fourth of five runners in the Bollitree Hurdle at Ross-on-Wye on April 18, 1905.
Tom’s final ride was on Lucky John, finishing fourth of five runners in the Bollitree Hurdle at Ross-on-Wye on April 18, 1905.
In March 1888, in a pony match staged at Cheltenham, Tom, riding Mr Cheek's pony, beat Mr Villar, riding Mr Rodgers' pony, which fell jumping a fence in the ploughed land.
In March 1888, in a pony match staged at Cheltenham, Tom, riding Mr Cheek's pony, beat Mr Villar, riding Mr Rodgers' pony, which fell jumping a fence in the ploughed land.
In 1896, Tom set up as a trainer. From a small stable at Cleeve Hill, he sent out Alburnum to win the Welbeck Stakes at 20-1 at Lincoln's Autumn Meeting on 4 November. He also sent out Scale to win at Worcester.
In 1896, Tom set up as a trainer. From a small stable at Cleeve Hill, he sent out Alburnum to win the Welbeck Stakes at 20-1 at Lincoln's Autumn Meeting on 4 November. He also sent out Scale to win at Worcester.
Tom Spire (referred to as Spires on all death documentation) appears to have spent his entire life in Cheltenham. Born there in January, 1860. He died at 1, Hill View, Harp Hill, Cheltenham. His funeral took place on 10 January 1928. He was 68 years old.
Tom Spire (referred to as Spires on all death documentation) appears to have spent his entire life in Cheltenham. Born there in January, 1860. He died at 1, Hill View, Harp Hill, Cheltenham. His funeral took place on 10 January 1928. He was 68 years old.
Tom Spire’s winners were, in chronological order:
Tom Spire’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Ready Token, Monmouth, March 14, 1895
1. Ready Token, Monmouth, March 14, 1895
2. Hedgehog, Chepstow, March 26, 1895
2. Hedgehog, Chepstow, March 26, 1895
3. Hedgehog, Chepstow, March 27, 1895
3. Hedgehog, Chepstow, March 27, 1895
4. Hedgehog, Moreton-in-Marsh Hunt, April 18, 1895
4. Hedgehog, Moreton-in-Marsh Hunt, April 18, 1895
5. Hedgehog, Usk, April 22, 1895
5. Hedgehog, Usk, April 22, 1895
6. Quickthorn, Wenlock Hunt, May 9, 1895
6. Quickthorn, Wenlock Hunt, May 9, 1895
7. Ready Token, Worcester, October 25, 1895
7. Ready Token, Worcester, October 25, 1895
8. Hedgehog, Cardiff, October 30, 1895
8. Hedgehog, Cardiff, October 30, 1895
9. Tonic, Cardiff, October 30, 1895
9. Tonic, Cardiff, October 30, 1895
10. Hedgehog, Manchester, December 10, 1895
10. Hedgehog, Manchester, December 10, 1895
11. Dancing Dervish, Wolverhampton, January 14, 1896
11. Dancing Dervish, Wolverhampton, January 14, 1896
12. Dancing Dervish, Worcester, April 28, 1910
12. Dancing Dervish, Worcester, April 28, 1910
13. Hedgehog, Usk, April 6, 1897
13. Hedgehog, Usk, April 6, 1897
14. Hedgehog, Abergavenny, April 21, 1897
14. Hedgehog, Abergavenny, April 21, 1897
15. Cunning Boy, Monmouth, March 3, 1899
15. Cunning Boy, Monmouth, March 3, 1899
16. General Buller (late Hedgehog), Chepstow, March 26, 1900
16. General Buller (late Hedgehog), Chepstow, March 26, 1900
17. Kaboodle, Ross-on-Wye, May 1, 1900
17. Kaboodle, Ross-on-Wye, May 1, 1900
18. Surprise Hill, Keele Park, October 11, 1900
18. Surprise Hill, Keele Park, October 11, 1900
19. Hecate II, Keele Park, October 12, 1900
19. Hecate II, Keele Park, October 12, 1900
20. Goldfinder II, Ludlow, March 6, 1901
20. Goldfinder II, Ludlow, March 6, 1901
Tom's final winner: Goldfinder II, Ludlow, March 6, 1901
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