Jack Watts
1861 – 1902
1861 – 1902
Jack (as he was usually known) was born on May 9th, 1861 at Stockbridge, Hampshire. He was one of ten children.
Jack (as he was usually known) was born on May 9th, 1861 at Stockbridge, Hampshire. He was one of ten children.
He became apprenticed to Tom Cannon at Danebury, and - aged 15 - rode his first winner, Aristocrat (dead-heat), at Salisbury on May 25, in 1876.
He became apprenticed to Tom Cannon at Danebury, and - aged 15 - rode his first winner, Aristocrat (dead-heat), at Salisbury on May 25, in 1876.
At Alexander Park in 1878, he approached trainer Richard Marsh, with whom he was unacquainted, and asked him for a job at Marsh’s Lordship Farm stable at Newmarket. Impressed with the boy’s tidiness and quiet manner (reflecting the style of Tom Cannon), the trainer agreed to take him on. It was the start of a lifetime’s association. Jack, riding in gallops and trials, quickly impressed.
At Alexander Park in 1878, he approached trainer Richard Marsh, with whom he was unacquainted, and asked him for a job at Marsh’s Lordship Farm stable at Newmarket. Impressed with the boy’s tidiness and quiet manner (reflecting the style of Tom Cannon), the trainer agreed to take him on. It was the start of a lifetime’s association. Jack, riding in gallops and trials, quickly impressed.
Jack also rode the 1890 Derby winner Sainfoin.
Jack also rode the 1890 Derby winner Sainfoin.
He was a natural horseman and, on Tuesday 25th October 1881, first caught the public eye when winning the Cambridgeshire on the 10/1 chance Foxhall, beating, in the process Lucy Glitters, whose chances had been highly rated by its connections.
He was a natural horseman and, on Tuesday 25th October 1881, first caught the public eye when winning the Cambridgeshire on the 10/1 chance Foxhall, beating, in the process Lucy Glitters, whose chances had been highly rated by its connections.
Fearing that Jack might seek greater opportunities elsewhere, Marsh persuaded his principal patron the Duke of Hamilton to give the youngster a retainer. Jack repaid this gesture handsomely. Shortly after winning his first Classic – the 1883 Oaks on Lord Rosebery’s Bonny Jean – he donned the Duke’s colours to ride Ossain to victory in the St Leger. Three years later, wearing the same colours, he added the One Thousand Guineas and Oaks, riding Miss Jimmy. Jack won his first Derby on the unraced Merry Hampton for Mr George Baird in 1887 – he also rode the shortest-priced Derby winner Ladas (2/9) in 1894.
Fearing that Jack might seek greater opportunities elsewhere, Marsh persuaded his principal patron the Duke of Hamilton to give the youngster a retainer. Jack repaid this gesture handsomely. Shortly after winning his first Classic – the 1883 Oaks on Lord Rosebery’s Bonny Jean – he donned the Duke’s colours to ride Ossain to victory in the St Leger. Three years later, wearing the same colours, he added the One Thousand Guineas and Oaks, riding Miss Jimmy. Jack won his first Derby on the unraced Merry Hampton for Mr George Baird in 1887 – he also rode the shortest-priced Derby winner Ladas (2/9) in 1894.
In all Jack won 19 Classics: Persimmon was probably the best he rode (Derby, 1896) but it had been touch and go getting the horse to Epsom. Persimmon could not be persuaded to enter the steam locomotive and had to be literally carried onto the train after Richard Marsh had promised a sovereign apiece to those who helped get him on board.
In all Jack won 19 Classics: Persimmon was probably the best he rode (Derby, 1896) but it had been touch and go getting the horse to Epsom. Persimmon could not be persuaded to enter the steam locomotive and had to be literally carried onto the train after Richard Marsh had promised a sovereign apiece to those who helped get him on board.
Another quirky individual - Prince Edward’s ill-tempered Diamond Jubilee - was in the habit of savaging any jockey he took exception to. Mornington Cannon was one such unfortunate victim. Jack gave up the ride on the colt after it had tried to attack him before the Coventry Stakes. This had followed a frightening display of petulance when the horse had walked on its hind legs, trying to get his head round to bite Jack’s foot. The feeling of hatred between horse and jockey was mutual – Jack was glad to relinquish the mount to Mornington Cannon who, in turn – having been savaged by the horse on the gallops – was pleased to pass the mount on to the inexperienced Herbert Jones. Astonishingly, Jones and Diamond Jubilee got on like the proverbial house on fire, winning no less than the 1900 Triple Crown!
Another quirky individual - Prince Edward’s ill-tempered Diamond Jubilee - was in the habit of savaging any jockey he took exception to. Mornington Cannon was one such unfortunate victim. Jack gave up the ride on the colt after it had tried to attack him before the Coventry Stakes. This had followed a frightening display of petulance when the horse had walked on its hind legs, trying to get his head round to bite Jack’s foot. The feeling of hatred between horse and jockey was mutual – Jack was glad to relinquish the mount to Mornington Cannon who, in turn – having been savaged by the horse on the gallops – was pleased to pass the mount on to the inexperienced Herbert Jones. Astonishingly, Jones and Diamond Jubilee got on like the proverbial house on fire, winning no less than the 1900 Triple Crown!
In September 1892, Mr Abington paid Jack £20,000 for first call on his services for three years.
In September 1892, Mr Abington paid Jack £20,000 for first call on his services for three years.
In 1895 Jack began having serious health and weight problems and decided to retire. Marsh asked him to reconsider (principally to ride Persimmon) and Watts rode on for a further five years. It was a fatal mistake. Finally retiring from the saddle in 1900, he turned to training, but years of wasting caught up with him when he collapsed at Sandown on 19th July 1902. So ill was he that it was impossible to move him from Esher. He died there, ten days later (Tuesday, July 29th) and his funeral, on August 2nd, was attended by ‘almost the entire town of Newmarket’. He was buried in Newmarket cemetery. He was just 41.
In 1895 Jack began having serious health and weight problems and decided to retire. Marsh asked him to reconsider (principally to ride Persimmon) and Watts rode on for a further five years. It was a fatal mistake. Finally retiring from the saddle in 1900, he turned to training, but years of wasting caught up with him when he collapsed at Sandown on 19th July 1902. So ill was he that it was impossible to move him from Esher. He died there, ten days later (Tuesday, July 29th) and his funeral, on August 2nd, was attended by ‘almost the entire town of Newmarket’. He was buried in Newmarket cemetery. He was just 41.
Because of his weight problems, his number of mounts was restricted and he never became champion jockey. His riding style – undemonstrative and unspectacular – reflected his character. He would enter the winner’s enclosure with the face of one on whom a death sentence had just been passed. A slow-speaking, unassuming man with a love of field sports, he was the complete, nerveless jockey.
Because of his weight problems, his number of mounts was restricted and he never became champion jockey. His riding style – undemonstrative and unspectacular – reflected his character. He would enter the winner’s enclosure with the face of one on whom a death sentence had just been passed. A slow-speaking, unassuming man with a love of field sports, he was the complete, nerveless jockey.
Jack left £27,070. 2s 6d.
Jack left £27,070. 2s 6d.
Jack's height was 5ft 10ins.
Jack's height was 5ft 10ins.
The family.
The family.
Jack Watts married twice. In 1885 he wed Annie, the daughter of Mrs Lancaster of the Black Bear Hotel, Newmarket. His second marriage, on October 19th 1901, was to Letitia Annie, the daughter of Francis Hammond of Portland House, Newmarket.
Jack Watts married twice. In 1885 he wed Annie, the daughter of Mrs Lancaster of the Black Bear Hotel, Newmarket. His second marriage, on October 19th 1901, was to Letitia Annie, the daughter of Francis Hammond of Portland House, Newmarket.
In 1911, his widow married Kempton Cannon, son of the legendary Tom.
In 1911, his widow married Kempton Cannon, son of the legendary Tom.
Jack's two sons - John Evelyn & Harry Alexander also became jockeys. Harry (c1890-1918) was killed in action WW1. John (1887-1959) won the 1902 Cambridgeshire on Ballantrae.
Jack's two sons - John Evelyn & Harry Alexander also became jockeys. Harry (c1890-1918) was killed in action WW1. John (1887-1959) won the 1902 Cambridgeshire on Ballantrae.
Ladas - correctly pronounced laydar.
Ladas - correctly pronounced laydar.
Tom won the Oaks and the St Leger 5 times each, the Derby and the One Thousand Guineas 4 times and the Two Thousand Guineas twice.
Tom won the Oaks and the St Leger 5 times each, the Derby and the One Thousand Guineas 4 times and the Two Thousand Guineas twice.
