Derek Tomes
Derek Tomes
Derek Tomes
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Having ridden one winner on the Flat in 1952, Derek Charles Tomes scored four times under National Hunt rules three years later.
Having ridden one winner on the Flat in 1952, Derek Charles Tomes scored four times under National Hunt rules three years later.
He was apprenticed to former jockey Percy Allden, and it was on one of the horses trained by him, the three-year-old Flying Angel, that he had his sole Flat success. On September 16, 1952, they beat Royal Mode, ridden by Manny Mercer, by three-quarters of a length in the Monument Selling Plate at Yarmouth, having taken the lead at halfway. Owned by Mrs. P. Tomes – presumably Derek’s mother or, if not, related in some way – the winner had been partnered by Derek in eight of her last nine starts and had been placed three times, including when beaten a head at Leicester in June.
He was apprenticed to former jockey Percy Allden, and it was on one of the horses trained by him, the three-year-old Flying Angel, that he had his sole Flat success. On September 16, 1952, they beat Royal Mode, ridden by Manny Mercer, by three-quarters of a length in the Monument Selling Plate at Yarmouth, having taken the lead at halfway. Owned by Mrs. P. Tomes – presumably Derek’s mother or, if not, related in some way – the winner had been partnered by Derek in eight of her last nine starts and had been placed three times, including when beaten a head at Leicester in June.
Having failed to add to his one victory on the level, Derek took out a jump jockey’s licence and had his first ride at Newton Abbot on August 1, 1955, when finishing third on Caracol in the South Zeal Hurdle (Division 2). The partnership fared less well the following day at the same course, trailing home last of eleven to get round, but next time out at Uttoxeter on September 17, they were successful in the Autumn Novices’ Hurdle, getting the better of a prolonged duel with Havado, the mount of former champion jockey Tim Molony, to prevail by a short head.
Having failed to add to his one victory on the level, Derek took out a jump jockey’s licence and had his first ride at Newton Abbot on August 1, 1955, when finishing third on Caracol in the South Zeal Hurdle (Division 2). The partnership fared less well the following day at the same course, trailing home last of eleven to get round, but next time out at Uttoxeter on September 17, they were successful in the Autumn Novices’ Hurdle, getting the better of a prolonged duel with Havado, the mount of former champion jockey Tim Molony, to prevail by a short head.
Derek’s second win over jumps was much easier than the first, for at Nottingham on October 24, the nine-year-old Triple Torch, trained by Joe Hartigan, was granted a walkover for the Lenton Selling Chase.
Derek’s second win over jumps was much easier than the first, for at Nottingham on October 24, the nine-year-old Triple Torch, trained by Joe Hartigan, was granted a walkover for the Lenton Selling Chase.
It was back to harder victories at Taunton on December 27, when Los Zicales, owned and trained by permit holder Luther Bridge, won the Christmas Greetings Handicap Hurdle, coming with a strong late run to overhaul long time leader Le Capitan and win by a neck.
It was back to harder victories at Taunton on December 27, when Los Zicales, owned and trained by permit holder Luther Bridge, won the Christmas Greetings Handicap Hurdle, coming with a strong late run to overhaul long time leader Le Capitan and win by a neck.
Derek had what proved to be his final success at Leicester on January 10, 1956, when Royal Tudor, owned by Mrs Tomes and trained by Percy Allden, finished strongly to catch Highland Lover, ridden by Tim Brookshaw, and win the Rugby Handicap Chase by three-quarters of length.
Derek had what proved to be his final success at Leicester on January 10, 1956, when Royal Tudor, owned by Mrs Tomes and trained by Percy Allden, finished strongly to catch Highland Lover, ridden by Tim Brookshaw, and win the Rugby Handicap Chase by three-quarters of length.
Having had more than 30 rides that season, Derek had his final one when Los Zicales was a faller in the Ellington Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon on Whit Monday, May 21, 1956. It is not known whether that fall was sufficiently serious to bring a premature end to his career, but it seems likely, given that he only held a licence for that one season and had ridden four winners from a good number of mounts.
Having had more than 30 rides that season, Derek had his final one when Los Zicales was a faller in the Ellington Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon on Whit Monday, May 21, 1956. It is not known whether that fall was sufficiently serious to bring a premature end to his career, but it seems likely, given that he only held a licence for that one season and had ridden four winners from a good number of mounts.
Derek Tomes’ winners were, in chronological order.
Derek Tomes’ winners were, in chronological order.
1. Flying Angel, Yarmouth, September 16, 1952
1. Flying Angel, Yarmouth, September 16, 1952
2. Caracol, Uttoxeter, September 17, 1955
2. Caracol, Uttoxeter, September 17, 1955
3. Triple Torch, Nottingham, October 24, 1955
3. Triple Torch, Nottingham, October 24, 1955
4. Los Zicales, Taunton, December 27, 1955
4. Los Zicales, Taunton, December 27, 1955
5. Royal Tudor, Leicester, January 10, 1956
5. Royal Tudor, Leicester, January 10, 1956
