Jason Ward
Jason Ward was born in Doncaster on December 30, 1969, the son of trainer Bob Ward, the noted ‘selling plate king’ of the 1960s who trained a great number of winners under both codes. Jason’s grandfather, Charlie Ward, was champion apprentice jockey in 1895. From an early age it was obvious that Jason was going to follow in the family footsteps and become involved in the racing industry.
Jason Ward was born in Doncaster on December 30, 1969, the son of trainer Bob Ward, the noted ‘selling plate king’ of the 1960s who trained a great number of winners under both codes. Jason’s grandfather, Charlie Ward, was champion apprentice jockey in 1895. From an early age it was obvious that Jason was going to follow in the family footsteps and become involved in the racing industry.
Aged 15, he attended the Irish apprentice school at the Curragh, where he was judged the best apprentice, and then had a six-month spell with trainer Mick O’Toole. He returned home shortly after reaching his 16th birthday and became apprenticed to Walter Wharton at Melton Mowbray.
Aged 15, he attended the Irish apprentice school at the Curragh, where he was judged the best apprentice, and then had a six-month spell with trainer Mick O’Toole. He returned home shortly after reaching his 16th birthday and became apprenticed to Walter Wharton at Melton Mowbray.
He had his first ride in public at Leicester on March 25, 1986, on a two-year-old filly named Miss Pisa who, like Jason, was making her racecourse debut. The pair finished last of ten. However, it didn’t take him long to ride his first winner, Wharton’s three-year-old filly Our Children, in a Nottingham apprentices’ selling race on July 28, 1986.
He had his first ride in public at Leicester on March 25, 1986, on a two-year-old filly named Miss Pisa who, like Jason, was making her racecourse debut. The pair finished last of ten. However, it didn’t take him long to ride his first winner, Wharton’s three-year-old filly Our Children, in a Nottingham apprentices’ selling race on July 28, 1986.
Jason rode professionally for several seasons before becoming assistant trainer to James Fanshawe in Newmarket, where he stayed for seven years, working with numerous top-class horses. He also gained valuable experience working for Criquette Head in France, Patrick Biancone in Los Angeles, Dave Bell in Toronto and New York and Peter Lautner in Germany.
Jason rode professionally for several seasons before becoming assistant trainer to James Fanshawe in Newmarket, where he stayed for seven years, working with numerous top-class horses. He also gained valuable experience working for Criquette Head in France, Patrick Biancone in Los Angeles, Dave Bell in Toronto and New York and Peter Lautner in Germany.
He spent a year as head lad to Richard Whitaker before deciding to set up in his own right, establishing R Jay Ward Racing in 2010. In 2011 he took out a trainer’s licence and moved into Manor House Stables in Middleham, North Yorkshire.
He spent a year as head lad to Richard Whitaker before deciding to set up in his own right, establishing R Jay Ward Racing in 2010. In 2011 he took out a trainer’s licence and moved into Manor House Stables in Middleham, North Yorkshire.
Manor House Stables is colloquially known as the Dante Yard, honouring Dante, the last northern-trained Derby winner in 1945, who was bred by Sir Eric Ohlson at Manor House Stud and trained at Manor House Stables. A plaque adorns his stable.
Manor House Stables is colloquially known as the Dante Yard, honouring Dante, the last northern-trained Derby winner in 1945, who was bred by Sir Eric Ohlson at Manor House Stud and trained at Manor House Stables. A plaque adorns his stable.
From there Jason has gone on to forge a successful training career.
From there Jason has gone on to forge a successful training career.