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John Watts Jr.
John Watts Jr.
1887 - 1959
1887 - 1959
John Evelyn Watts, son of trainer John Watts, was born at Newmarket on October 5, 1887, and became apprenticed to his father.
John Evelyn Watts, son of trainer John Watts, was born at Newmarket on October 5, 1887, and became apprenticed to his father.
He rode his first winner on Rondeau in the Sunbury Two-Year-Old Selling Plate at Kempton Park on May 9, 1902. That year, aged 15, he rode 49 winners.
He rode his first winner on Rondeau in the Sunbury Two-Year-Old Selling Plate at Kempton Park on May 9, 1902. That year, aged 15, he rode 49 winners.
His biggest win that year came on Ballantrae in the Cambridgeshire. Drawn five in a field of 24, Ballantrae surged to the front in the dip, hanging on grimly for a neck victory over St Maclou (the mount of Mornington. Cannon) and Nabot (Thompson).
His biggest win that year came on Ballantrae in the Cambridgeshire. Drawn five in a field of 24, Ballantrae surged to the front in the dip, hanging on grimly for a neck victory over St Maclou (the mount of Mornington. Cannon) and Nabot (Thompson).
He also won the 1902 Manchester Cup on Rambling Katie, owned by Mr Singer. Rambling Katie had won the Manchester Cup in 1901. Despite her victory of the previous year, she was allowed to start at 100-8 and duly obliged, albeit by a hard-fought neck.
He also won the 1902 Manchester Cup on Rambling Katie, owned by Mr Singer. Rambling Katie had won the Manchester Cup in 1901. Despite her victory of the previous year, she was allowed to start at 100-8 and duly obliged, albeit by a hard-fought neck.
The race, run on May 23, the first day of the Manchester Whitsuntide Meeting, was held over the New Course at Castle Irwell. The following day, Saturday, May 24, Jack found himself back in the winner’s enclosure after a victory in the County Welter Handicap, gained in the easiest fashion on Mr Shepherd’s filly, Unsightly. Carrying 7st 4lb., the four-year-old jumped off in front and, having made every yard of the running, won in a canter by six lengths. The 15-8 favourite, Wensleydale, ridden by Joe Childs, came a distant second.
The race, run on May 23, the first day of the Manchester Whitsuntide Meeting, was held over the New Course at Castle Irwell. The following day, Saturday, May 24, Jack found himself back in the winner’s enclosure after a victory in the County Welter Handicap, gained in the easiest fashion on Mr Shepherd’s filly, Unsightly. Carrying 7st 4lb., the four-year-old jumped off in front and, having made every yard of the running, won in a canter by six lengths. The 15-8 favourite, Wensleydale, ridden by Joe Childs, came a distant second.
The following year he scored 51 times, including five winners from five rides at Windsor on April 4, 1903. His major victories in 1903 were the Royal Hunt Cup on Kunstler and the Goodwood Cup on Rabelais.
The following year he scored 51 times, including five winners from five rides at Windsor on April 4, 1903. His major victories in 1903 were the Royal Hunt Cup on Kunstler and the Goodwood Cup on Rabelais.
In 1907 he began to train at Newmarket before, some four years later, going to Germany.
In 1907 he began to train at Newmarket before, some four years later, going to Germany.
He returned to England on the outbreak of war, enlisting in the Suffolk Yeomanry, with which he served in France and Egypt.
He returned to England on the outbreak of war, enlisting in the Suffolk Yeomanry, with which he served in France and Egypt.
At demob, John resumed training at Lansdowne House, Newmarket. In 1922 he took over the private stable of Mr Frank Curzon at Primrose Cottage. It was from here that he sent out the 1927 Derby winner, Call Boy. Then Mr Curzon became desperately ill and when he died a few later, John returned to Lansdowne House from where he operated just a small string.
At demob, John resumed training at Lansdowne House, Newmarket. In 1922 he took over the private stable of Mr Frank Curzon at Primrose Cottage. It was from here that he sent out the 1927 Derby winner, Call Boy. Then Mr Curzon became desperately ill and when he died a few later, John returned to Lansdowne House from where he operated just a small string.
In 1935, John was offered the role of private trainer to M Marcel Boussac. His best horse there was Corrida, with which he landed consecutive wins in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1936 & 1937.
In 1935, John was offered the role of private trainer to M Marcel Boussac. His best horse there was Corrida, with which he landed consecutive wins in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1936 & 1937.
When WW2 broke out, John was again forced to leave the Continent. In 1942, he became private trainer to Mr H. Joel at Foxhill. For him, he won the 1944 1,000 Guineas with Picture Play. At war’s end, Mr Joel transferred his horses to the Sefton Lodge Stable at Newmarket, once again installing John as private trainer. John continued in this capacity until his retirement in 1952.
When WW2 broke out, John was again forced to leave the Continent. In 1942, he became private trainer to Mr H. Joel at Foxhill. For him, he won the 1944 1,000 Guineas with Picture Play. At war’s end, Mr Joel transferred his horses to the Sefton Lodge Stable at Newmarket, once again installing John as private trainer. John continued in this capacity until his retirement in 1952.
John Evelyn Watts died of a heart attack at Newmarket on Friday, October 23, 1959, aged 72. He left £4,115.
John Evelyn Watts died of a heart attack at Newmarket on Friday, October 23, 1959, aged 72. He left £4,115.
His brother, Henry Alexander Watts, was killed in action (1918) in World War One, aged 28.
His brother, Henry Alexander Watts, was killed in action (1918) in World War One, aged 28.
1902
1902
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