Joseph Taylor
1896 - 1954
1896 - 1954
Joseph Arthur Taylor, known as Joe, was born in Leeds on December 24, 1896, the eldest of three jockey brothers, the others being David and Frederick.
Joseph Arthur Taylor, known as Joe, was born in Leeds on December 24, 1896, the eldest of three jockey brothers, the others being David and Frederick.
He was apprenticed to John Alfred Dawson at St Albans’s House, Newmarket. He rode his first winner on Kingdom, trained by Dawson, in the Cleveland Apprentice Plate at Redcar on Whit Monday, May 27, 1912 and went on to become a leading Northern jockey.
He was apprenticed to John Alfred Dawson at St Albans’s House, Newmarket. He rode his first winner on Kingdom, trained by Dawson, in the Cleveland Apprentice Plate at Redcar on Whit Monday, May 27, 1912 and went on to become a leading Northern jockey.
In addition to his exploits on the Flat, Joe rode over jumps in the first half of the 1920s and had 10 wins. His first attempt almost resulted in victory, for at Birmingham on January 12, 1920, his mount, Off Chance, was beaten just three-quarters of a length in the Maiden Four-Year-Old Hurdle by former champion jockey Percy Woodland on My Bombardier.
In addition to his exploits on the Flat, Joe rode over jumps in the first half of the 1920s and had 10 wins. His first attempt almost resulted in victory, for at Birmingham on January 12, 1920, his mount, Off Chance, was beaten just three-quarters of a length in the Maiden Four-Year-Old Hurdle by former champion jockey Percy Woodland on My Bombardier.
His first win under National Hunt rules was at Hurst Park on January 14, 1921, when driving Mutton Cutlets to victory in the Cardinal’s Selling Hurdle, this time getting the better of My Bombardier, who was beaten two lengths under Frank Wootton. Four days later the pair struck again at Derby, this time beating another former champion jockey, Ernie Piggott, who finished second on Bright Shot.
His first win under National Hunt rules was at Hurst Park on January 14, 1921, when driving Mutton Cutlets to victory in the Cardinal’s Selling Hurdle, this time getting the better of My Bombardier, who was beaten two lengths under Frank Wootton. Four days later the pair struck again at Derby, this time beating another former champion jockey, Ernie Piggott, who finished second on Bright Shot.
Joe had his final two wins over jumps on Tommy Long in 1924, the last of them at Leicester on February 19, when landing the Moderate Handicap Hurdle by a length and a half. That appears to have been his last ride under National Hunt rules, but his profile was shortly to increase on the Flat.
Joe had his final two wins over jumps on Tommy Long in 1924, the last of them at Leicester on February 19, when landing the Moderate Handicap Hurdle by a length and a half. That appears to have been his last ride under National Hunt rules, but his profile was shortly to increase on the Flat.
His big race victories included three Ayr Gold Cups: in 1927 on Martenax and back-to-back wins in 1930 and 1931 on Heronslea, all for Middleham trainer Dobson Peacock. He also won the 1931 Wokingham Stakes on Heronslea.
His big race victories included three Ayr Gold Cups: in 1927 on Martenax and back-to-back wins in 1930 and 1931 on Heronslea, all for Middleham trainer Dobson Peacock. He also won the 1931 Wokingham Stakes on Heronslea.
Other major successes included the 1937 Manchester November Handicap on Solitaire for Harry Peacock, and the 1939 Ebor on Owenstown for Matt Peacock.
Other major successes included the 1937 Manchester November Handicap on Solitaire for Harry Peacock, and the 1939 Ebor on Owenstown for Matt Peacock.
Joe averaged about forty winners a season, achieving a personal best with 56 winners in 1939.
Joe averaged about forty winners a season, achieving a personal best with 56 winners in 1939.
Ill-health forced him from the saddle in 1947 and he began training, based at Clifton House, Atwick, near Driffield, in Yorkshire.
Ill-health forced him from the saddle in 1947 and he began training, based at Clifton House, Atwick, near Driffield, in Yorkshire.
He later moved to live in Beeford, near Driffield where, on October 18, 1954, he died, aged 57.
He later moved to live in Beeford, near Driffield where, on October 18, 1954, he died, aged 57.
Joe, who married in Birmingham in 1922, was described as a good-natured man with a ready smile.
Joe, who married in Birmingham in 1922, was described as a good-natured man with a ready smile.
His 10 wins under National Hunt rules were, in chronological order
His 10 wins under National Hunt rules were, in chronological order
1. Mutton Cutlets, Hurst Park, January 14, 1921
1. Mutton Cutlets, Hurst Park, January 14, 1921
2. Mutton Cutlets, Derby, January 18, 1921
2. Mutton Cutlets, Derby, January 18, 1921
3. Off The Mark, Haydock Park, December 9, 1921
3. Off The Mark, Haydock Park, December 9, 1921
4. Rory’s Glen, Southwell, April 15, 1922
4. Rory’s Glen, Southwell, April 15, 1922
5. Damar, Manchester, April 18, 1922
5. Damar, Manchester, April 18, 1922
6. Tommy Long, Haydock Park, December 9, 1922
6. Tommy Long, Haydock Park, December 9, 1922
7. Ranter, Derby, December 19, 1922
7. Ranter, Derby, December 19, 1922
8. Ranter, Newbury, December 30, 1922
8. Ranter, Newbury, December 30, 1922
9, Tommy Long, Haydock Park, January 4, 1924
9, Tommy Long, Haydock Park, January 4, 1924
10. Tommy Long, Leicester, February 19, 1924
10. Tommy Long, Leicester, February 19, 1924
