Tommy Weston
1902 – 1981
1902 – 1981
Tommy Weston was born on 4th February 1902 in Dewsbury, Yorkshire. He left a Roman Catholic school at the age of 13 to work on the Lancashire-Yorkshire railway where his father was already employed. Taking his father’s advice a year later, he became an apprentice at the stables of Ned McCormack at Middleham, but had to wait until 1918 before he rode his first winner, Miss Richard, at Newmarket, 30th October.
Tommy Weston was born on 4th February 1902 in Dewsbury, Yorkshire. He left a Roman Catholic school at the age of 13 to work on the Lancashire-Yorkshire railway where his father was already employed. Taking his father’s advice a year later, he became an apprentice at the stables of Ned McCormack at Middleham, but had to wait until 1918 before he rode his first winner, Miss Richard, at Newmarket, 30th October.
His potential was quickly recognized and he began riding for the Newmarket trainer George Lambton at Stanley House in Newmarket. In his first full season for the stable he won the 1923 St Leger on Tranquil for Lord Derby: Weston rode eleven Classic winners in all. He also revived the luck of the South African millionaire Sir Abe Bailey, winning the 1936 Oaks for him on Lovely Rosa (said to be the worst Oaks winner of the 20th century). It was the first Classic Bailey had won in forty years.
His potential was quickly recognized and he began riding for the Newmarket trainer George Lambton at Stanley House in Newmarket. In his first full season for the stable he won the 1923 St Leger on Tranquil for Lord Derby: Weston rode eleven Classic winners in all. He also revived the luck of the South African millionaire Sir Abe Bailey, winning the 1936 Oaks for him on Lovely Rosa (said to be the worst Oaks winner of the 20th century). It was the first Classic Bailey had won in forty years.
Just before the 1924 Derby, Tommy Weston caught his white scarf in the top button of his racing top. After winning the Derby that year on Sansovino, he realized it was a lucky sign and the famous ‘lucky white button’ has remained part of the colours ever since.
Just before the 1924 Derby, Tommy Weston caught his white scarf in the top button of his racing top. After winning the Derby that year on Sansovino, he realized it was a lucky sign and the famous ‘lucky white button’ has remained part of the colours ever since.
He headed the list of winning jockeys in 1926, but that was the year Sir Gordon Richards fell ill and did not ride. His last Classic winner came on Happy Knight in the 1946 2,000 Guineas.
He headed the list of winning jockeys in 1926, but that was the year Sir Gordon Richards fell ill and did not ride. His last Classic winner came on Happy Knight in the 1946 2,000 Guineas.
Tommy Weston lost his job at the stable in 1934 when he failed to get on with George Lambton’s successor (the oddly named Colledge Leader). Leader and Weston had rowed over the legendary Hyperion’s unexpected defeat in the Ascot Gold Cup. Weston retired in 1950 and continued to live in Newmarket.
Tommy Weston lost his job at the stable in 1934 when he failed to get on with George Lambton’s successor (the oddly named Colledge Leader). Leader and Weston had rowed over the legendary Hyperion’s unexpected defeat in the Ascot Gold Cup. Weston retired in 1950 and continued to live in Newmarket.
For all his success - he rode a total of 1,455 winners - he had been no more than a good jockey, but he had been a very lucky one, always seemingly in the right place at the right time. He had served with great credit in the Royal Navy during the Second World War and had survived when the ship, The Empress of Canada, went down off the coast of Singapore.
For all his success - he rode a total of 1,455 winners - he had been no more than a good jockey, but he had been a very lucky one, always seemingly in the right place at the right time. He had served with great credit in the Royal Navy during the Second World War and had survived when the ship, The Empress of Canada, went down off the coast of Singapore.
During the Second World War, Tommy Weston was stationed at Ebrington Barracks in Londonderry. Opposite the barracks was a café called The Classic. Many famous people took coffee there, including a naval officer called Donald Campbell (of Bluebell fame) and Ivor Novello, who would play the café piano. Tommy Weston was a close friend of George Formby, the entertainer, who himself was once an apprentice jockey. Tommy taught George all he knew.
During the Second World War, Tommy Weston was stationed at Ebrington Barracks in Londonderry. Opposite the barracks was a café called The Classic. Many famous people took coffee there, including a naval officer called Donald Campbell (of Bluebell fame) and Ivor Novello, who would play the café piano. Tommy Weston was a close friend of George Formby, the entertainer, who himself was once an apprentice jockey. Tommy taught George all he knew.
Tommy Weston did not enjoy his retirement. His money quickly ran out and the popular jockey was penniless when he died in Ely hospital on January 22, 1981. He was 78.
Tommy Weston did not enjoy his retirement. His money quickly ran out and the popular jockey was penniless when he died in Ely hospital on January 22, 1981. He was 78.
Tommy won the 1927 Eclipse on Cap-a-Pie.
Tommy won the 1927 Eclipse on Cap-a-Pie.
Years later, at Folkestone racecourse, the old horse was being auctioned, its racing days over. Only a harsh life awaited it now, perhaps pulling a cart or, worse, being taken abroad. Tommy recognises his old friend and makes a successful bid.
Years later, at Folkestone racecourse, the old horse was being auctioned, its racing days over. Only a harsh life awaited it now, perhaps pulling a cart or, worse, being taken abroad. Tommy recognises his old friend and makes a successful bid.
£26. 5s. The horse is his!
£26. 5s. The horse is his!
Tommy leads the horse away and has it painlessly destroyed.
Tommy leads the horse away and has it painlessly destroyed.
His auction was but one more step towards an ignoble end, but he had found one friend who put his death before dishonour.
His auction was but one more step towards an ignoble end, but he had found one friend who put his death before dishonour.
Tommy Weston’s classic wins:
Tommy Weston’s classic wins:
Two Thousand Guineas: Colorado (1926) and The Happy Knight (1946)
Two Thousand Guineas: Colorado (1926) and The Happy Knight (1946)
One Thousand Guineas: Fair Isle (1930),
One Thousand Guineas: Fair Isle (1930),
The Derby: Sansovino (1924) and Hyperion (1933)
The Derby: Sansovino (1924) and Hyperion (1933)
The Oaks: Beam (1927), Toboggan (1928) and Lovely Rossa (1936)
The Oaks: Beam (1927), Toboggan (1928) and Lovely Rossa (1936)
Tommy on Dorigen, winner of the 1933 Lincoln Handicap
Tommy on Dorigen, winner of the 1933 Lincoln Handicap