John Tasker
c 1829 - 1855
c 1829 - 1855
The announcement which came at 2.35 on Grand National Day, 1854, that the favourite, Miss Mowbray, would not run was greeted with dismay by punters who had, that morning, heavily backed her. Dismay turned to anger when it was further announced that the horse had been 'got at' since its arrival at the course, hence its non-participation.
The announcement which came at 2.35 on Grand National Day, 1854, that the favourite, Miss Mowbray, would not run was greeted with dismay by punters who had, that morning, heavily backed her. Dismay turned to anger when it was further announced that the horse had been 'got at' since its arrival at the course, hence its non-participation.
Bookmakers reformed their books and installed Bourton as the new favourite.
Bookmakers reformed their books and installed Bourton as the new favourite.
Ridden by the little-known John Tasker, Bourton did much to restore joy to the hearts of gamblers when striding home an easy 15 lengths winner.
Ridden by the little-known John Tasker, Bourton did much to restore joy to the hearts of gamblers when striding home an easy 15 lengths winner.
Later that year, on Thursday May 11, Bourton and Tasker reunited to run improbably on the flat at Chester, in Her Majesty's Plate. It would be difficult to think of two courses less alike than Aintree and Chester, but horses then ran on an owner's whim, not common sense. (Bourton came second of five).
Later that year, on Thursday May 11, Bourton and Tasker reunited to run improbably on the flat at Chester, in Her Majesty's Plate. It would be difficult to think of two courses less alike than Aintree and Chester, but horses then ran on an owner's whim, not common sense. (Bourton came second of five).
Sadly, both horse and jockey met untimely ends: Bourton was killed when coming down at the water jump at Warwick the following year.
Sadly, both horse and jockey met untimely ends: Bourton was killed when coming down at the water jump at Warwick the following year.
This was six weeks before John Tasker himself had been killed in a race fall at the same track.
This was six weeks before John Tasker himself had been killed in a race fall at the same track.
Riding Rosa in the Grand Open Steeplechase on October 17, 1855, he fell heavily, yet recovered sufficiently to partner Black Swan to Victory in the last.
Riding Rosa in the Grand Open Steeplechase on October 17, 1855, he fell heavily, yet recovered sufficiently to partner Black Swan to Victory in the last.
Aged 26, he died on October 28, 1855, from the effects of the fall.
Aged 26, he died on October 28, 1855, from the effects of the fall.
John had been born in Hodnet, Shropshire, 1829. In 1842, aged 13, he began his racing career as an apprentice on the Flat with a trainer named Wadlow, who was based at Stanton, near Shifnal. He rode his first winner on his first ride in public, on Solop at Warwick, in 1845. He finished third in the 1848 Cambridgeshire on Gaffer Green before leaving Wadlow in 1850 to ride jumpers for William Moseley at Wolverhampton, for whom he partnered many winners. He won the Leamington Grand Annual in 1852 on The Moor, then won it again in 1854 on the 7/4 joint-favourite, Trout. Moseley was so shocked by Tasker’s death that he immediately sold his entire racing stud.
John had been born in Hodnet, Shropshire, 1829. In 1842, aged 13, he began his racing career as an apprentice on the Flat with a trainer named Wadlow, who was based at Stanton, near Shifnal. He rode his first winner on his first ride in public, on Solop at Warwick, in 1845. He finished third in the 1848 Cambridgeshire on Gaffer Green before leaving Wadlow in 1850 to ride jumpers for William Moseley at Wolverhampton, for whom he partnered many winners. He won the Leamington Grand Annual in 1852 on The Moor, then won it again in 1854 on the 7/4 joint-favourite, Trout. Moseley was so shocked by Tasker’s death that he immediately sold his entire racing stud.
In the year of his Grand National success, 1854, he also won the Midlands Steeplechase at Derby before rounding off a good year by taking the Croxteth Welter Cup on Alonzo at Liverpool on Tuesday, November 7th.
In the year of his Grand National success, 1854, he also won the Midlands Steeplechase at Derby before rounding off a good year by taking the Croxteth Welter Cup on Alonzo at Liverpool on Tuesday, November 7th.
Biggest wins:
Biggest wins:
1852; Worcester Grand Annual - The General
1852; Worcester Grand Annual - The General
1952: Leamington Grand Annual - Peter
1952: Leamington Grand Annual - Peter
1853: Worcester Grand Annual - Bourton
1853: Worcester Grand Annual - Bourton
1854: Grand National - Bourton
1854: Grand National - Bourton
1854: Cheltenham Steeplechase - Trout
1854: Cheltenham Steeplechase - Trout
1854: Midland Steeplechase - Bourton
1854: Midland Steeplechase - Bourton