Jack Tyrrwhitt-Drake
1885 - 1915
1885 - 1915
HERBERT WILLIAM "JACK" TYRRWHITT-DRAKE (sometimes written Tyrwhitt-Drake)
HERBERT WILLIAM "JACK" TYRRWHITT-DRAKE (sometimes written Tyrwhitt-Drake)
Article by Derek Gay
Article by Derek Gay
'Jack' born on October 10, 1885 into an extremely rich family who owned thousands of acres of land. His father was the Squire of Amersham and owned a number of racehorses.
'Jack' born on October 10, 1885 into an extremely rich family who owned thousands of acres of land. His father was the Squire of Amersham and owned a number of racehorses.
Jack's uncle, the Reverend Edward Tyrrwhitt-Drake, had ridden Bridegroom (finished 6th) in the 1860 Grand National under the nomme de plumme of Mr Ekard ( Drake backwards).
Jack's uncle, the Reverend Edward Tyrrwhitt-Drake, had ridden Bridegroom (finished 6th) in the 1860 Grand National under the nomme de plumme of Mr Ekard ( Drake backwards).
Young Jack was educated at Eton and Uppingham.
Young Jack was educated at Eton and Uppingham.
He was taught to ride from a young age and consequently became an accomplished horseman. He hunted a pack of harriers around Amersham and, by the time he was 16, had won a point-to-point with the Old Berkley, putting up 8st of dead weight to make the 14st limit.
He was taught to ride from a young age and consequently became an accomplished horseman. He hunted a pack of harriers around Amersham and, by the time he was 16, had won a point-to-point with the Old Berkley, putting up 8st of dead weight to make the 14st limit.
He graduated to riding under rules, and, at the 1905 Grafton Hunt meeting on April 24th, rode his first winner - Doncaster Rock, the even money favourite which won by 20 lengths.
He graduated to riding under rules, and, at the 1905 Grafton Hunt meeting on April 24th, rode his first winner - Doncaster Rock, the even money favourite which won by 20 lengths.
One more winner followed in 1905, but it wasn't until 1908 that rode his next.
One more winner followed in 1905, but it wasn't until 1908 that rode his next.
Jack rode a further 4 more that year.
Jack rode a further 4 more that year.
After 2 winners in 1909 and 14 in 1910, he began his meteoric rise up the riding charts.
After 2 winners in 1909 and 14 in 1910, he began his meteoric rise up the riding charts.
In 1911 he took over the training of his father's string although it was his assistant, Frank Emmerson, who did much of the training while Jack did the riding.
In 1911 he took over the training of his father's string although it was his assistant, Frank Emmerson, who did much of the training while Jack did the riding.
He rode 61 winners in 1911 winning the Amateur jockey title and was runner -up in the Jockeys' Championship.
He rode 61 winners in 1911 winning the Amateur jockey title and was runner -up in the Jockeys' Championship.
Over the next 3 seasons he rode 26 winners in 1912 after being injured for a good deal of the season, 26 winners in 1913 and 22 in 1914
Over the next 3 seasons he rode 26 winners in 1912 after being injured for a good deal of the season, 26 winners in 1913 and 22 in 1914
At the first Cheltenham Festival in 1911, he rode 2 winners including Asteroid, on which he made virtually all the running in the 17-runner National Hunt Juvenile Steeplechase. His cause was no doubt aided by the fall of the hot favourite, Kilwilliam, at the second. The race was worth £395. He won again at the same meeting the following year.
At the first Cheltenham Festival in 1911, he rode 2 winners including Asteroid, on which he made virtually all the running in the 17-runner National Hunt Juvenile Steeplechase. His cause was no doubt aided by the fall of the hot favourite, Kilwilliam, at the second. The race was worth £395. He won again at the same meeting the following year.
He rode four times in the Grand National, his best places being fourth in 1912 - on Carsey - and 3rd in 1913 after remounting.
He rode four times in the Grand National, his best places being fourth in 1912 - on Carsey - and 3rd in 1913 after remounting.
His biggest wins came on Carsey in the 1911 Grand Sefton chase and Irish Mail in the 1913 Great Lancashire chase.
His biggest wins came on Carsey in the 1911 Grand Sefton chase and Irish Mail in the 1913 Great Lancashire chase.
He also won the £850 Grand International Chase at Blackpool's short-lived meeting in 1911 on Main Royal.
He also won the £850 Grand International Chase at Blackpool's short-lived meeting in 1911 on Main Royal.
In Main Royal's next race the Grand Sefton, Jack deserted him to ride the winner Carsey. Poor Main Royal fell breaking his neck.
In Main Royal's next race the Grand Sefton, Jack deserted him to ride the winner Carsey. Poor Main Royal fell breaking his neck.
At the outbreak of war in 1914, Jack was one of the first to enlist in the 19th Hussars (known as the jockeys' Regt as a number of amateurs served).
At the outbreak of war in 1914, Jack was one of the first to enlist in the 19th Hussars (known as the jockeys' Regt as a number of amateurs served).
As one of the richest men in the country, he could easily have been given a commission as an officer but instead chose to be Private 16178 in the Queen Alexandra's Own.
As one of the richest men in the country, he could easily have been given a commission as an officer but instead chose to be Private 16178 in the Queen Alexandra's Own.
Jack spent six months in cold and wet conditions at the front and, being of very slight build, became ill and was hospitalised. Then he contracted pneumonia.
Jack spent six months in cold and wet conditions at the front and, being of very slight build, became ill and was hospitalised. Then he contracted pneumonia.
On the 11th March 1915 ( incidentally the second day of the Cheltenham Festival), he died aged 29 at Rouen Hospital France. He is buried at Wimereux Communal Cemetery, France.
On the 11th March 1915 ( incidentally the second day of the Cheltenham Festival), he died aged 29 at Rouen Hospital France. He is buried at Wimereux Communal Cemetery, France.
Amongst those who served in the 19th Hussars were jockeys Ronnie Arbuthnot, George Heasman, Peter Roberts, Lord Torrington, Percy Woodland, Richard Morgan and Norman Nutt.
Amongst those who served in the 19th Hussars were jockeys Ronnie Arbuthnot, George Heasman, Peter Roberts, Lord Torrington, Percy Woodland, Richard Morgan and Norman Nutt.
Jack was great friends with Peter Roberts and Lord Torrington and rode many of Lady Torrington's horses.
Jack was great friends with Peter Roberts and Lord Torrington and rode many of Lady Torrington's horses.
Best wins:
Best wins:
1911: Grand Sefton - Carsey
1911: Grand Sefton - Carsey
1911: Blackpool Grand International Chase - Main Royal
1911: Blackpool Grand International Chase - Main Royal
1913: Lancashire Chase - Irish Mail
1913: Lancashire Chase - Irish Mail
