John Yardley
1858 -1920
1858 -1920
John Watkins Yardley, only son of John and Alice Yardley, was born on 17 July 1858 at Chesterfield Lodge, Lichfield. He was educated at Retford and Trinity College, Bambridge, where he took his Bachelor's degree before going on to Sandhurst. Two years later, he joined the 6th Inniskillen Dragoons, in which he saw service in Bechuanaland (1884 -85), Zululand (1886) and finally South Africa (1890-01) where, before being severely wounded, he had received the medal with five clasps, and been mentioned in dispatches. It was whilst serving abroad that, for reasons lost in time, he became known as 'The Curate'.
John Watkins Yardley, only son of John and Alice Yardley, was born on 17 July 1858 at Chesterfield Lodge, Lichfield. He was educated at Retford and Trinity College, Bambridge, where he took his Bachelor's degree before going on to Sandhurst. Two years later, he joined the 6th Inniskillen Dragoons, in which he saw service in Bechuanaland (1884 -85), Zululand (1886) and finally South Africa (1890-01) where, before being severely wounded, he had received the medal with five clasps, and been mentioned in dispatches. It was whilst serving abroad that, for reasons lost in time, he became known as 'The Curate'.
Captain Yardley, as he was then, began his race-riding career in 1883, and won eight of the eleven races e contested. In 1885, he won eight out of nineteen; in 1886, nineteen out of forty; in 1887, sixteen out of thirty-three and had ridden six out of eighteen in 1888 when a broken shoulder prevented him from increasing that season's score. He was also unlucky in June 1889, when, after winning on seven of his fourteen mounts, he broke his leg in several places and was ruled out for the season.
Captain Yardley, as he was then, began his race-riding career in 1883, and won eight of the eleven races e contested. In 1885, he won eight out of nineteen; in 1886, nineteen out of forty; in 1887, sixteen out of thirty-three and had ridden six out of eighteen in 1888 when a broken shoulder prevented him from increasing that season's score. He was also unlucky in June 1889, when, after winning on seven of his fourteen mounts, he broke his leg in several places and was ruled out for the season.
In those days, he rode mainly in South Africa, particularly at Natal, where he twice won the Grand Annual Steeplechase (their equivalent to our Grand National) at Pietermaritzburg on Scamp and Di Gama. At one race meeting he rode every winner and several times rode four winners out of six mounts. Coachman, Spy and J.D.B. were three of the horses he owned at that time, Coachman in partnership with Captain Rimington. Yardley trained all his own horses, schooling them severely over some very stiff obstacles. The prize money was not large and there were few bookmakers, but selling-lotteries often enabled good sums to be won.
In those days, he rode mainly in South Africa, particularly at Natal, where he twice won the Grand Annual Steeplechase (their equivalent to our Grand National) at Pietermaritzburg on Scamp and Di Gama. At one race meeting he rode every winner and several times rode four winners out of six mounts. Coachman, Spy and J.D.B. were three of the horses he owned at that time, Coachman in partnership with Captain Rimington. Yardley trained all his own horses, schooling them severely over some very stiff obstacles. The prize money was not large and there were few bookmakers, but selling-lotteries often enabled good sums to be won.
His regiment was ordered home in 1890 and, stationed in Brighton, he registered his colours (green, primrose sleeves, red cap) under National Hunt rules. He also went into partnership with Captain Poynter, a fellow officer. Together they set up a training establishment where they trained their hunters for racing.
His regiment was ordered home in 1890 and, stationed in Brighton, he registered his colours (green, primrose sleeves, red cap) under National Hunt rules. He also went into partnership with Captain Poynter, a fellow officer. Together they set up a training establishment where they trained their hunters for racing.
The following year, Captain Yardley won Plumpton's Hunters Steeplechase on his mare, Actinolite; he was also first past the post in Sandown's Tally-Ho Steeplechase on The Mahdi. Yardley later finished second on The Mahdi in the Southdown Hunt Point-to-Point and before winning the Sussex Plate on him at Ringmear.
The following year, Captain Yardley won Plumpton's Hunters Steeplechase on his mare, Actinolite; he was also first past the post in Sandown's Tally-Ho Steeplechase on The Mahdi. Yardley later finished second on The Mahdi in the Southdown Hunt Point-to-Point and before winning the Sussex Plate on him at Ringmear.
Yardley owned a horse called Belissarius which won some good races as a two-year-old. The horse was schooled over fences but, hating the discipline, was later sold to become a Brighton cab horse.
Yardley owned a horse called Belissarius which won some good races as a two-year-old. The horse was schooled over fences but, hating the discipline, was later sold to become a Brighton cab horse.
In 1892, Captain Yardley won Sandown's Grand Military Handicap on Grigon before taking the mount on Faust in the Grand National. He was unlucky not to win; at the Canal Turn the second time he raced alongside Cloister (which was giving him two stone) and was going infinitely the better of the two. Approaching the last, Faust broke down, and jumped it on three legs. It was many weeks before the horse could be moved from Liverpool and it never raced again.
In 1892, Captain Yardley won Sandown's Grand Military Handicap on Grigon before taking the mount on Faust in the Grand National. He was unlucky not to win; at the Canal Turn the second time he raced alongside Cloister (which was giving him two stone) and was going infinitely the better of the two. Approaching the last, Faust broke down, and jumped it on three legs. It was many weeks before the horse could be moved from Liverpool and it never raced again.
This was the year that he won the Aldershot Cup and, in 1894, when stationed at Shorncliffe, several races on his own hunters in the district.
This was the year that he won the Aldershot Cup and, in 1894, when stationed at Shorncliffe, several races on his own hunters in the district.
In the days before jockeys took to wearing google, Captain Yardley, whilst riding at Sheffield, finished up almost blind after having the mud and stones from the horse in front thrown into his face. Despite having the grit cleared out of his eyes by a Manchester ophthalmist, it was many weeks before he got back his full eyesight.
In the days before jockeys took to wearing google, Captain Yardley, whilst riding at Sheffield, finished up almost blind after having the mud and stones from the horse in front thrown into his face. Despite having the grit cleared out of his eyes by a Manchester ophthalmist, it was many weeks before he got back his full eyesight.
At about this time, Yardley came into the possession of a good three-year-old, Bennithorpe (by Isonomy -Rudstone) and, obtaining permission from the Jockey Club to ride on equal terms with professional jockeys, won three races on him at Sandown, Goodwood and Lewes. Bennithorpe ended his days at stud in Germany before sadly finding himself at the wrong end of a sausage making machine.
At about this time, Yardley came into the possession of a good three-year-old, Bennithorpe (by Isonomy -Rudstone) and, obtaining permission from the Jockey Club to ride on equal terms with professional jockeys, won three races on him at Sandown, Goodwood and Lewes. Bennithorpe ended his days at stud in Germany before sadly finding himself at the wrong end of a sausage making machine.
Later, whilst stationed at Liverpool, Captain Yardley rode Alec Fraser in the Altcar Chase against Arthur Nightingall on Chair of Kildare, but could not get him over Becher's Brook. He won three races in the Cheshire district on his own Knocklong then, in a race at Wirral Hunt, his stirrup-leather broke at the first fence. He caught hold of it and won the race. Thanks to having carried the iron and leather, he just drew the weight. On another occasion, riding Martial at Tarporley, he was awarded the race on the disqualification of the winner, Salemorebotha, whose weight-cloth was so rotten that some of the weights dropped out!
Later, whilst stationed at Liverpool, Captain Yardley rode Alec Fraser in the Altcar Chase against Arthur Nightingall on Chair of Kildare, but could not get him over Becher's Brook. He won three races in the Cheshire district on his own Knocklong then, in a race at Wirral Hunt, his stirrup-leather broke at the first fence. He caught hold of it and won the race. Thanks to having carried the iron and leather, he just drew the weight. On another occasion, riding Martial at Tarporley, he was awarded the race on the disqualification of the winner, Salemorebotha, whose weight-cloth was so rotten that some of the weights dropped out!
In 1896, with his regiment stationed at Edinburgh, Yardley rode extensively at Bogside, Dumfries and Rothbury; he also found time to travel south to contest the Sandown Grand military and other Army point-to-points. He also took the ride on Unity in the Kilkenny Hunt Cup in Ireland, and it was at this meeting that a bizarre incident occurred. The open ditch built up with gorse caught fire in the baking sun. As the field approached it, they were met with a sheet of flame. Captain Yardley, and others, pulled up before reaching it, but two riders jumped into the middle of the inferno. Both fell and suffered burns, but one of them remounted and pluckily won the race.
In 1896, with his regiment stationed at Edinburgh, Yardley rode extensively at Bogside, Dumfries and Rothbury; he also found time to travel south to contest the Sandown Grand military and other Army point-to-points. He also took the ride on Unity in the Kilkenny Hunt Cup in Ireland, and it was at this meeting that a bizarre incident occurred. The open ditch built up with gorse caught fire in the baking sun. As the field approached it, they were met with a sheet of flame. Captain Yardley, and others, pulled up before reaching it, but two riders jumped into the middle of the inferno. Both fell and suffered burns, but one of them remounted and pluckily won the race.
Captain Yardley's winning total that year was five victories from thirty mounts.
Captain Yardley's winning total that year was five victories from thirty mounts.
1897 began well for the Captain; he won a three-mile chase at Plumpton on Victor, who had won races on the Continent and had been bought by General Beresford to win the Grand National. Victor and Yardley came down at Kempton, then fell again at Sandown. Yardley lost the ride, but the professional jockeys who replaced him could do no better.
1897 began well for the Captain; he won a three-mile chase at Plumpton on Victor, who had won races on the Continent and had been bought by General Beresford to win the Grand National. Victor and Yardley came down at Kempton, then fell again at Sandown. Yardley lost the ride, but the professional jockeys who replaced him could do no better.
In 1898. Yardley won the Newmarket Steeplechase on Memphis and, in 1899, he won the Past and Present Steeplechase at Sandown on Walk-Over. Shortly after this victory, he left for South Africa to take part in the Boer War. Here he was so severely injured that his race-riding days were over.
In 1898. Yardley won the Newmarket Steeplechase on Memphis and, in 1899, he won the Past and Present Steeplechase at Sandown on Walk-Over. Shortly after this victory, he left for South Africa to take part in the Boer War. Here he was so severely injured that his race-riding days were over.
He died at Cheltenham on Sunday, November 28, 1920, aged 62. He was interred next to his mother in the family vault the following Thursday at the Parish Churchyard, Prestbury. That day, the flag at the Cheltenham racecourse was flown at half-mast.
He died at Cheltenham on Sunday, November 28, 1920, aged 62. He was interred next to his mother in the family vault the following Thursday at the Parish Churchyard, Prestbury. That day, the flag at the Cheltenham racecourse was flown at half-mast.
He left £10,587.
He left £10,587.