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John Whelehan
John Whelehan
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
John Whelehan rode throughout the 1920s, ending with 23 winners and a best score of seven in the 1926/27 season. He also rode in the 1923 Grand National.
John Whelehan rode throughout the 1920s, ending with 23 winners and a best score of seven in the 1926/27 season. He also rode in the 1923 Grand National.
His first mount in public was at Shirley Park on September 5, 1921, when partnering Roza into third place in the Monkspath Hurdle. The five-year-old was owned and trained by former champion amateur rider Herbert Harrison.
His first mount in public was at Shirley Park on September 5, 1921, when partnering Roza into third place in the Monkspath Hurdle. The five-year-old was owned and trained by former champion amateur rider Herbert Harrison.
The second race of 1922 saw John record the first victory of his career when Ipso, trained by Harrison, beat 17 rivals to land the Castle Selling Handicap Hurdle by six lengths at Manchester on January 2. The five-year-old had finished second, beaten a short head, with John aboard at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day.
The second race of 1922 saw John record the first victory of his career when Ipso, trained by Harrison, beat 17 rivals to land the Castle Selling Handicap Hurdle by six lengths at Manchester on January 2. The five-year-old had finished second, beaten a short head, with John aboard at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day.
Despite that good start to the year, John had to wait more than twelve months for his second success. There were three wins in 1923, as well as the mount on 66-1 chance Gardenrath in the Grand National. The eight-year-old was not among the seven starters to complete the course, having pulled up when in arrears.
Despite that good start to the year, John had to wait more than twelve months for his second success. There were three wins in 1923, as well as the mount on 66-1 chance Gardenrath in the Grand National. The eight-year-old was not among the seven starters to complete the course, having pulled up when in arrears.
John had doubles at the Tanat Side Hunt – known subsequently as Oswestry & Llanymynech – and at Buckfastleigh over the next few seasons, while at Cheltenham on April 7, 1927 he dead-heated on 12-year-old Holy Fooks with Manifest, ridden by former champion jockey Ted Leader, in the Charlton Selling Handicap Hurdle..
John had doubles at the Tanat Side Hunt – known subsequently as Oswestry & Llanymynech – and at Buckfastleigh over the next few seasons, while at Cheltenham on April 7, 1927 he dead-heated on 12-year-old Holy Fooks with Manifest, ridden by former champion jockey Ted Leader, in the Charlton Selling Handicap Hurdle..
In addition to victories on Herbert Harrison’s horses, John also booted home winners for another leading jockey turned trainer, Percy Woodland. It was at Buckfastleigh on May 29, 1928 that he had his final success when Aesop, trained by Woodland, landed the Wallaford Selling Chase by two lengths. Almost a year later he had his last ride when Ilston Mute was unplaced in the Shottery Chase at Stratford-on-Avon on May 4, 1929.
In addition to victories on Herbert Harrison’s horses, John also booted home winners for another leading jockey turned trainer, Percy Woodland. It was at Buckfastleigh on May 29, 1928 that he had his final success when Aesop, trained by Woodland, landed the Wallaford Selling Chase by two lengths. Almost a year later he had his last ride when Ilston Mute was unplaced in the Shottery Chase at Stratford-on-Avon on May 4, 1929.
It is interesting to note from a historical perspective that only seven of his 23 wins were gained at courses still in exitance today.
It is interesting to note from a historical perspective that only seven of his 23 wins were gained at courses still in exitance today.
John Whelehan’s winners were, in chronological order:
John Whelehan’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Ipso, Manchester, January 2, 1922
1. Ipso, Manchester, January 2, 1922
2. Ireland Green, Birmingham, February 13, 1923
2. Ireland Green, Birmingham, February 13, 1923
3. Aiken Drum, Colwall Park, April 23, 1923
3. Aiken Drum, Colwall Park, April 23, 1923
4. Winter Voyage, Ludlow, October 12, 1923
4. Winter Voyage, Ludlow, October 12, 1923
5. Aiken Drum, Derby, February 26, 1924
5. Aiken Drum, Derby, February 26, 1924
6. Treprenal, Woore, May 22, 1924
6. Treprenal, Woore, May 22, 1924
7. Long Hall, Tanat Side Hunt, May 2, 1925
7. Long Hall, Tanat Side Hunt, May 2, 1925
8. Gibus, Tanta Side Hunt, May 2, 1925
8. Gibus, Tanta Side Hunt, May 2, 1925
9. Aiken Drum, Wolverhampton, September 29, 1925
9. Aiken Drum, Wolverhampton, September 29, 1925
10. Silver Somme, Gatwick, February 27, 1926
10. Silver Somme, Gatwick, February 27, 1926
11. Ambridge, Buckfastleigh, May 25, 1926
11. Ambridge, Buckfastleigh, May 25, 1926
12. Benjamin Cherry, Buckfastleigh, May 25, 1926
12. Benjamin Cherry, Buckfastleigh, May 25, 1926
13. The Zealot, Cardiff, October 20, 1926
13. The Zealot, Cardiff, October 20, 1926
14. Cash Box, Newport, November 3, 1926
14. Cash Box, Newport, November 3, 1926
15. Santabel, Lingfield Park, December 10, 1926
15. Santabel, Lingfield Park, December 10, 1926
16. Holy Fooks, Cheltenham, April 7, 1927 (dead heat)
16. Holy Fooks, Cheltenham, April 7, 1927 (dead heat)
17. Guidance, Bournemouth, April 9, 1927
17. Guidance, Bournemouth, April 9, 1927
18. Valentine Fox, Aldershot, April 13, 1927
18. Valentine Fox, Aldershot, April 13, 1927
19. Holy Fooks, Glamorgan Hunt (Cowbridge), April 30, 1927
19. Holy Fooks, Glamorgan Hunt (Cowbridge), April 30, 1927
20. Fairielike Fur, Newton Abbot, September 14, 1927
20. Fairielike Fur, Newton Abbot, September 14, 1927
21. Santabel, Wincanton, October 14, 1927
21. Santabel, Wincanton, October 14, 1927
22. Tully, Worcester, May 3, 1928
22. Tully, Worcester, May 3, 1928
23. Aesop, Buckfastleigh, May 29, 1928
23. Aesop, Buckfastleigh, May 29, 1928
John Whelehan rode two winners, Long Hail & Gibus, at Tanat Side Hunt on May 2 1925
John Whelehan rode two winners, Long Hail & Gibus, at Tanat Side Hunt on May 2 1925
John rode two winners, Ambridge & Benjamin Cherry, at Buckfastleigh on May 25 1926
The above information is supplied by Jockeypedia which contains the biographies of over 5,000 British jockeys.
Founder: George Wheeler: Chief contributors; Chris Pitt & Alan Trout: Editor: Chas Hammond
email: jockeypedia2021@gmail.com
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