John Wells
1833 – 1873
1833 – 1873
John Wells was born on Christmas Day, 1833, in Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire. He grew to become one of the tallest jockeys riding, and rejoiced in the nickname ‘Brusher’ – he was also sometimes referred to as ‘Tiny’.
John Wells was born on Christmas Day, 1833, in Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire. He grew to become one of the tallest jockeys riding, and rejoiced in the nickname ‘Brusher’ – he was also sometimes referred to as ‘Tiny’.
His father was born in Yardley - his mother in Walsall.
His father was born in Yardley - his mother in Walsall.
Apprenticed to Flintlock, he rode his first winner at Walsall racecourse, riding Ribaldry, and became champion jockey in 1853 (86 winners) and again in 1854 (82 winners) when he won the 1,000 Guineas on Virago. In 1857, John Wells won a remarkable 20 times on Fisherman.
Apprenticed to Flintlock, he rode his first winner at Walsall racecourse, riding Ribaldry, and became champion jockey in 1853 (86 winners) and again in 1854 (82 winners) when he won the 1,000 Guineas on Virago. In 1857, John Wells won a remarkable 20 times on Fisherman.
He was an eccentric dresser who favoured feathered hats, tartan suits and red slippers. In 1858, he began a lifetime association with Sir Joseph Henry Hawley (after whom Hawley House (now known as Hawley Farm) was named). Sir Joseph was intimately involved with the management of his stud and racing stable, and it was he, rather than his trainers, who made the decisions on where and when his horses would run.
He was an eccentric dresser who favoured feathered hats, tartan suits and red slippers. In 1858, he began a lifetime association with Sir Joseph Henry Hawley (after whom Hawley House (now known as Hawley Farm) was named). Sir Joseph was intimately involved with the management of his stud and racing stable, and it was he, rather than his trainers, who made the decisions on where and when his horses would run.
Wells rode a 2,000 Guineas winner for him, Fitz-Roland 1858, and two Derby winners, Beadsman1858 and Musjid 1859. All were trained by George Manning of Cannons Heath, Kingsclere. John Porter took over the running of the stable when Manning died in 1863, and it became very successful. In 1967 Sir Joseph owned three top-class two-year-olds, Blue Gown, Rosicrucian and Green Sleeve.
Wells rode a 2,000 Guineas winner for him, Fitz-Roland 1858, and two Derby winners, Beadsman1858 and Musjid 1859. All were trained by George Manning of Cannons Heath, Kingsclere. John Porter took over the running of the stable when Manning died in 1863, and it became very successful. In 1967 Sir Joseph owned three top-class two-year-olds, Blue Gown, Rosicrucian and Green Sleeve.
Sir Joseph also gave Hawley House to Wells who lived there with his wife Mary. Wells invested wisely and was able to make generous provision for his family. His health began to go after riding Pedro Gomez (owned by Sir Joseph) to victory in the 1869 St Leger.
Sir Joseph also gave Hawley House to Wells who lived there with his wife Mary. Wells invested wisely and was able to make generous provision for his family. His health began to go after riding Pedro Gomez (owned by Sir Joseph) to victory in the 1869 St Leger.
Like so many jockeys before and after, the constant dieting had played havoc with his well-being. The winner of eight Classics, he died at Tadley, Southampton, on July 17, 1873, his wife having died the previous year aged 38. They were both buried at St Mary’s Church, Kingsclere.
Like so many jockeys before and after, the constant dieting had played havoc with his well-being. The winner of eight Classics, he died at Tadley, Southampton, on July 17, 1873, his wife having died the previous year aged 38. They were both buried at St Mary’s Church, Kingsclere.
John, aged 39, left £2,000
John, aged 39, left £2,000
John would never ride without a potato in his pocket. This potato had been given to him as a child by an old woman who was supposed to be a witch. It was hardly larger than a pea and as hard as a stone. He believed that it brought him good luck.
John would never ride without a potato in his pocket. This potato had been given to him as a child by an old woman who was supposed to be a witch. It was hardly larger than a pea and as hard as a stone. He believed that it brought him good luck.
When Blue Gown won the 1868 Derby, the grateful owner, Sir Joseph Hawley, insisted on giving John Wells the entire prize money of £6,800.
When Blue Gown won the 1868 Derby, the grateful owner, Sir Joseph Hawley, insisted on giving John Wells the entire prize money of £6,800.
Jockey Henry Custance said of Wells ‘he was a very strong man on a horse. Always sat well back in the saddle, kept hold of his horse’s head and was a very resolute finisher.’
Jockey Henry Custance said of Wells ‘he was a very strong man on a horse. Always sat well back in the saddle, kept hold of his horse’s head and was a very resolute finisher.’
One evening, Wells stayed up socialising with his friends and was unable next morning to make the designated weight of 8st 10 lbs for a particular mount. Undaunted, he touched the floor with his toe while weighing out, thereby producing a false reading. He tried to weigh back in with an extra small saddle cloth he had concealed earlier but the deception was spotted by fellow jockey John Doyle who immediately reported the incident. John Wells’ horse was disqualified, costing a furious Sir Joseph £4,000. It says much for their relationship that their friendship continued as before.
One evening, Wells stayed up socialising with his friends and was unable next morning to make the designated weight of 8st 10 lbs for a particular mount. Undaunted, he touched the floor with his toe while weighing out, thereby producing a false reading. He tried to weigh back in with an extra small saddle cloth he had concealed earlier but the deception was spotted by fellow jockey John Doyle who immediately reported the incident. John Wells’ horse was disqualified, costing a furious Sir Joseph £4,000. It says much for their relationship that their friendship continued as before.
John Wells’s classic wins:
John Wells’s classic wins:
Two Thousand Guineas: Fitz-Roland (1858)
Two Thousand Guineas: Fitz-Roland (1858)
One Thousand Guineas: Virago (1854 and Tomato (1864)
One Thousand Guineas: Virago (1854 and Tomato (1864)
The Derby: Beadsman (1858), Musjid (1859) and Blue Gown (1868)
The Derby: Beadsman (1858), Musjid (1859) and Blue Gown (1868)
St Leger: Saucebox (1855) and Pero Gomez (1869)
St Leger: Saucebox (1855) and Pero Gomez (1869)