John Tolley
1905-1938
1905-1938
Born in Kings Norton, Birmingham in 1905, John Lawrence Tolley was apprenticed to former jump jockey John Woodman at the age of 14. He began his career under National Hunt rules in 1925, and over the next dozen years amassed a total of just 14 wins, only once having more than two in a season.
Born in Kings Norton, Birmingham in 1905, John Lawrence Tolley was apprenticed to former jump jockey John Woodman at the age of 14. He began his career under National Hunt rules in 1925, and over the next dozen years amassed a total of just 14 wins, only once having more than two in a season.
He had his first ride on February 25, 1925, when Manister Bridge finished third in the Swindon Selling Chase at Newbury. On March 11, he was second in another race called the Swindon Chase, this one taking place at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting. His mount, St. Minting, was beaten three-quarters of a length by Louvima, ridden by Gerald Fitzgibbon.
He had his first ride on February 25, 1925, when Manister Bridge finished third in the Swindon Selling Chase at Newbury. On March 11, he was second in another race called the Swindon Chase, this one taking place at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting. His mount, St. Minting, was beaten three-quarters of a length by Louvima, ridden by Gerald Fitzgibbon.
On Easter Monday that year John went to Wincanton to ride in two races. In the first he rode Orlando Dando, who finished alone after remounting in an incident-packed Holton Selling Handicap Chase, in which two of the other three starters refused while the third one fell. Then St. Minting gained consolation for his narrow Cheltenham defeat by winning the Romsey Handicap Chase, beasting Tullygorey by ten lengths.
On Easter Monday that year John went to Wincanton to ride in two races. In the first he rode Orlando Dando, who finished alone after remounting in an incident-packed Holton Selling Handicap Chase, in which two of the other three starters refused while the third one fell. Then St. Minting gained consolation for his narrow Cheltenham defeat by winning the Romsey Handicap Chase, beasting Tullygorey by ten lengths.
Despite that Wincanton double, it was ten months before he next visited the winner’s enclosure, but he then won three times on Mingles Cross, owned and trained by John Woodman.
Despite that Wincanton double, it was ten months before he next visited the winner’s enclosure, but he then won three times on Mingles Cross, owned and trained by John Woodman.
There was then a period of four years, punctuated by injuries including a broken pelvis, broken arms and a broken ankle, when John failed to ride a winner, but in the 1934/35 season he struck up a useful partnership with horses owned and trained by Wing-Commander W. R. Read, which resulted in his best season with five victories.
There was then a period of four years, punctuated by injuries including a broken pelvis, broken arms and a broken ankle, when John failed to ride a winner, but in the 1934/35 season he struck up a useful partnership with horses owned and trained by Wing-Commander W. R. Read, which resulted in his best season with five victories.
What proved to be his final success was at Cheltenham on November 18, 1937, when the eleven-year-old Persian Sun won the Charlton Park Handicap Chase, beating Tapinois by three lengths.
What proved to be his final success was at Cheltenham on November 18, 1937, when the eleven-year-old Persian Sun won the Charlton Park Handicap Chase, beating Tapinois by three lengths.
On March 31, 1938, John broke several ribs and suffered a spinal injury in a fall from Kildybanks in the Bridgwater Optional Selling Chase at Taunton. He died from his injuries at his home in Birmingham on July 27, aged 33.
On March 31, 1938, John broke several ribs and suffered a spinal injury in a fall from Kildybanks in the Bridgwater Optional Selling Chase at Taunton. He died from his injuries at his home in Birmingham on July 27, aged 33.
He was buried in Witton Cemetery on August 2, 1938.
He was buried in Witton Cemetery on August 2, 1938.
John Tolley’s winners were, in chronological order:
John Tolley’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Orlando Dando, Wincanton, April 13, 1925
1. Orlando Dando, Wincanton, April 13, 1925
2. St. Minting, Wincanton, April 13, 1925
2. St. Minting, Wincanton, April 13, 1925
3. Ringles Cross, Newbury, February 25, 1926
3. Ringles Cross, Newbury, February 25, 1926
4. Ringles Cross, Torquay, April 6, 1926
4. Ringles Cross, Torquay, April 6, 1926
5. Ringles Cross, Totnes, September 9, 1926
5. Ringles Cross, Totnes, September 9, 1926
6. Cheer Up, Newton Abbot, August 6, 1929
6. Cheer Up, Newton Abbot, August 6, 1929
7. Bath Chap, Plymouth, September 4, 1930
7. Bath Chap, Plymouth, September 4, 1930
8. Corkaree, Sandown Park, October 25, 1934
8. Corkaree, Sandown Park, October 25, 1934
9. Fort Argos, Birmingham, November 27, 1934
9. Fort Argos, Birmingham, November 27, 1934
10. Choucas, Ludlow, April 3, 1935
10. Choucas, Ludlow, April 3, 1935
11. Morning Caw, Colwall Park, April 15, 1935
11. Morning Caw, Colwall Park, April 15, 1935
12. Choucas, Wincanton, April 22, 1935
12. Choucas, Wincanton, April 22, 1935
13. Choucas,, Birmingham, November 26, 1935
13. Choucas,, Birmingham, November 26, 1935
14. Persian Sun, Cheltenham, November 18, 1937
14. Persian Sun, Cheltenham, November 18, 1937
John Tolley's Wincanton double
