John Widger
1883 - 1938
1883 - 1938
Amateur rider John William Widger rode mainly in Ireland but nonetheless amassed a total of 36 wins in Britain. His first ride outside of Ireland was on a mare named Tittle Tattle who finished second, beaten a length, in the St Pierre Selling Chase at Chepstow on March 20, 1899. Twenty-four hours later, on the second day of that Chepstow fixture, John rode Tittle Tattle again and recorded his first British victory on her, landing the Ladies’ Steeplechase by a neck.
Amateur rider John William Widger rode mainly in Ireland but nonetheless amassed a total of 36 wins in Britain. His first ride outside of Ireland was on a mare named Tittle Tattle who finished second, beaten a length, in the St Pierre Selling Chase at Chepstow on March 20, 1899. Twenty-four hours later, on the second day of that Chepstow fixture, John rode Tittle Tattle again and recorded his first British victory on her, landing the Ladies’ Steeplechase by a neck.
Later that year he came close to achieving a big race victory when finishing second on Julia in the Grand Sefton Chase over Liverpool’s Grand National fences. He had three rides in the Grand National itself, the first two of which were nothing to write home about, failing to finish on 100/1 outsider Sunny Shower in 1901, then falling on the well-fancied 12/1 chance Mathew in 1902.
Later that year he came close to achieving a big race victory when finishing second on Julia in the Grand Sefton Chase over Liverpool’s Grand National fences. He had three rides in the Grand National itself, the first two of which were nothing to write home about, failing to finish on 100/1 outsider Sunny Shower in 1901, then falling on the well-fancied 12/1 chance Mathew in 1902.
However, his third and final Grand National mount, The Gunner in 1904, ran a fine race to be third to Moifaa and Kirkland, beaten eight lengths and a neck. The Gunner was among the best John rode during his career. He’d finished third on him in the valuable Lancashire Chase in 1903 and won the Manchester Handicap Chase two months before his heroic effort in the Grand National.
However, his third and final Grand National mount, The Gunner in 1904, ran a fine race to be third to Moifaa and Kirkland, beaten eight lengths and a neck. The Gunner was among the best John rode during his career. He’d finished third on him in the valuable Lancashire Chase in 1903 and won the Manchester Handicap Chase two months before his heroic effort in the Grand National.
John did get to win a chase over the Aintree fences, albeit in fortuitous circumstances. On March 31, 1906, the day after Ascetic’s Silver had won the Grand National, he rode the five-year-old Royal Bow II in the Champion Chase and finished second, beaten 12 lengths by Apollino. However, the winner was adjudged to have not carried the correct weight and was duly disqualified, leaving Royal Bow II as the victor.
John did get to win a chase over the Aintree fences, albeit in fortuitous circumstances. On March 31, 1906, the day after Ascetic’s Silver had won the Grand National, he rode the five-year-old Royal Bow II in the Champion Chase and finished second, beaten 12 lengths by Apollino. However, the winner was adjudged to have not carried the correct weight and was duly disqualified, leaving Royal Bow II as the victor.
That lucky Champion Chase success was John’s last in Britain, his visits becoming less frequent as time went on. He had what proved to be his final mount outside of Ireland when finishing unplaced on the 7-2 favourite Pressman in the valuable Grand International Hurdle, worth £835 to the winner, at the inaugural meeting of Blackpool’s Clifton Park racecourse on August 2, 1911.
That lucky Champion Chase success was John’s last in Britain, his visits becoming less frequent as time went on. He had what proved to be his final mount outside of Ireland when finishing unplaced on the 7-2 favourite Pressman in the valuable Grand International Hurdle, worth £835 to the winner, at the inaugural meeting of Blackpool’s Clifton Park racecourse on August 2, 1911.
The Clifton Park venture was a step too ambitious for its time. Despite the lavish prize-money put up by the course’s executive, its meetings were poorly supported both by owners, trainers and the racegoing public. Clifton Park held its last meeting in April 1915, less than four years after its grand opening. The course was soon taken over for war purposes and used as a convalescente camp for wounded soldiers. It later became the site of Blackpool Airport, although parts of the grandstand remained in place until the 1950s.
The Clifton Park venture was a step too ambitious for its time. Despite the lavish prize-money put up by the course’s executive, its meetings were poorly supported both by owners, trainers and the racegoing public. Clifton Park held its last meeting in April 1915, less than four years after its grand opening. The course was soon taken over for war purposes and used as a convalescente camp for wounded soldiers. It later became the site of Blackpool Airport, although parts of the grandstand remained in place until the 1950s.
As for John Widger, he died on October 7, 1938, aged 55.
As for John Widger, he died on October 7, 1938, aged 55.