Thomas Watchorn
Thomas Watchorn
Thomas Watchorn
1886 -1944
1886 -1944
Thomas Dolby Watchorn was born on March 6, 1886, at The Lodge Farm, Scalford, Leicester, to Sarah and John Watchorn.
Thomas Dolby Watchorn was born on March 6, 1886, at The Lodge Farm, Scalford, Leicester, to Sarah and John Watchorn.
He started out as an amateur before turning professional in 1909 and going on to ride a total of 27 winners under National Hunt rules.
He started out as an amateur before turning professional in 1909 and going on to ride a total of 27 winners under National Hunt rules.
He had his first ride under NH rules when finishing fourth on Pretty Patsey in the Waltham Handicap Hurdle at Croxton Park on April 4, 1907. His first win came four days later, riding the seven-year-old Futen to victory by a length in the Sandbeck Chase at Retford Hunt. Just two days after that, Thomas and Futen scored again, this time by two lengths, in the Town Selling Chase at the North Warwickshire Hunt fixture at Leamington.
He had his first ride under NH rules when finishing fourth on Pretty Patsey in the Waltham Handicap Hurdle at Croxton Park on April 4, 1907. His first win came four days later, riding the seven-year-old Futen to victory by a length in the Sandbeck Chase at Retford Hunt. Just two days after that, Thomas and Futen scored again, this time by two lengths, in the Town Selling Chase at the North Warwickshire Hunt fixture at Leamington.
He enjoyed his most successful year in 1909 with ten wins, which included two doubles and a treble in the space of seven days. He began his week to remember at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, April 12, winning the Selling Chase on Fitzwalter and the Town Hurdle on High River. Two days later, he recorded another double at Brocklesby Hunt when landing the Lady Yarborough’s Cup Chase on High River and the Riby Chase on Fitzwalter. Then, on April 19, he notched a treble at Quorn Hunt, winning the Midland Hunt Chase on Half Time, the Tally-Ho Hunters’ Chase on Sandy, and the Farmers’ Hurdle on Historicus.
He enjoyed his most successful year in 1909 with ten wins, which included two doubles and a treble in the space of seven days. He began his week to remember at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, April 12, winning the Selling Chase on Fitzwalter and the Town Hurdle on High River. Two days later, he recorded another double at Brocklesby Hunt when landing the Lady Yarborough’s Cup Chase on High River and the Riby Chase on Fitzwalter. Then, on April 19, he notched a treble at Quorn Hunt, winning the Midland Hunt Chase on Half Time, the Tally-Ho Hunters’ Chase on Sandy, and the Farmers’ Hurdle on Historicus.
Spurred on, no doubt, by those successes, Thomas turned professional during the summer of 1909 in time for the start of the new National Hunt campaign. However, his career never really took off thereafter and he rode what proved to be his last winner on evens favourite Trojan in the Lady Yarborough’s Cup at Brocklesby Hunt on April 17, 1912.
Spurred on, no doubt, by those successes, Thomas turned professional during the summer of 1909 in time for the start of the new National Hunt campaign. However, his career never really took off thereafter and he rode what proved to be his last winner on evens favourite Trojan in the Lady Yarborough’s Cup at Brocklesby Hunt on April 17, 1912.
His final mount was at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, April 13, 1914 on his old ally Futen, who had provided him with his very first win seven years earlier. By then, however, 14-year-old Futen was a light of former days and their race ended in a fall.
His final mount was at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, April 13, 1914 on his old ally Futen, who had provided him with his very first win seven years earlier. By then, however, 14-year-old Futen was a light of former days and their race ended in a fall.
Thomas Watchorn died at Melton Mowbray on April 23, 1944, leaving £ 4,820, 12s. 2d.
Thomas Watchorn died at Melton Mowbray on April 23, 1944, leaving £ 4,820, 12s. 2d.
July 1911
July 1911