John Neely
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
It would have been some achievement to ride your first ever winner in the Grand National, but that was John Neely’s task in 1947 when entrusted with the mount on 100/1 outsider Border Bob. Perhaps there was a general shortage of jockeys in only the second post-war National, allied to a massive field of 57 runners. Whatever the reason, John took his chance but, not altogether surprisingly, failed to complete the course.
It would have been some achievement to ride your first ever winner in the Grand National, but that was John Neely’s task in 1947 when entrusted with the mount on 100/1 outsider Border Bob. Perhaps there was a general shortage of jockeys in only the second post-war National, allied to a massive field of 57 runners. Whatever the reason, John took his chance but, not altogether surprisingly, failed to complete the course.
In fact, more than two years were to elapse before John Neely rode his first winner – it is quite possible that he may have been away from the sport on National Service – on Sabre-Wing in a Woore selling hurdle on April 21, 1949. It was a stuttering start, two winners the following season, none the next, and just one – Eaton Girl for Shropshire trainer Bill Brookes – to show for the 1951/52 campaign.
In fact, more than two years were to elapse before John Neely rode his first winner – it is quite possible that he may have been away from the sport on National Service – on Sabre-Wing in a Woore selling hurdle on April 21, 1949. It was a stuttering start, two winners the following season, none the next, and just one – Eaton Girl for Shropshire trainer Bill Brookes – to show for the 1951/52 campaign.
But then came the breakthrough. Having ridden only four winners in as many seasons, he rode 15 during 1952/53, thanks primarily to his association with Wigton, Cumberland owner-trainer Joseph Bowness, who provided all bar one of them. They included two doubles within a week at Carlisle and Kelso in October 1952 and nine winners within three weeks in April/May 1953. Chief contributor was Cardiff, who won two novice hurdles and five novice chases, followed by handicap hurdler Kandy Cub with four wins and Outrider with two.
But then came the breakthrough. Having ridden only four winners in as many seasons, he rode 15 during 1952/53, thanks primarily to his association with Wigton, Cumberland owner-trainer Joseph Bowness, who provided all bar one of them. They included two doubles within a week at Carlisle and Kelso in October 1952 and nine winners within three weeks in April/May 1953. Chief contributor was Cardiff, who won two novice hurdles and five novice chases, followed by handicap hurdler Kandy Cub with four wins and Outrider with two.
But it all went wrong the following season. Cardiff broke down on his seasonal debut, Kandy Cub was sent hunter chasing with the trainer’s son inheriting the ride, and John’s sole success came on Outrider in a handicap hurdle at Wetherby on Boxing Day.
But it all went wrong the following season. Cardiff broke down on his seasonal debut, Kandy Cub was sent hunter chasing with the trainer’s son inheriting the ride, and John’s sole success came on Outrider in a handicap hurdle at Wetherby on Boxing Day.
There was a partial recovery in the 1954/55 campaign, with a couple of early season winners for Joseph Bowness. He then teamed up with Horace Cousins’ chaser Keadeen and won back to back races at Wetherby and Haydock in late December and early January. Cousins also put him up on 66/1 outsider Moogie in the 1955 Grand National but their participation ended at Becher’s second time round.
There was a partial recovery in the 1954/55 campaign, with a couple of early season winners for Joseph Bowness. He then teamed up with Horace Cousins’ chaser Keadeen and won back to back races at Wetherby and Haydock in late December and early January. Cousins also put him up on 66/1 outsider Moogie in the 1955 Grand National but their participation ended at Becher’s second time round.
John rode just two more winners, firstly on Joseph Bowness’s handicap hurdlers Peter Jackson at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, and finally on Molly’s Pride at Rothbury on April 16, 1955. He relinquished his licence the following season, having ridden a career total of 26 winners and participated in two Grand Nationals.
John rode just two more winners, firstly on Joseph Bowness’s handicap hurdlers Peter Jackson at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, and finally on Molly’s Pride at Rothbury on April 16, 1955. He relinquished his licence the following season, having ridden a career total of 26 winners and participated in two Grand Nationals.
John Neely’s winners were, in chronological order:
John Neely’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Sabre-Wing, Woore, April 21, 1949
1. Sabre-Wing, Woore, April 21, 1949
2. Barber’s Tale, Devon & Exeter, August 24, 1949
2. Barber’s Tale, Devon & Exeter, August 24, 1949
3. Wood Park, Haydock Park, December 1, 1949
3. Wood Park, Haydock Park, December 1, 1949
4. Eaton Girl, Worcester, October 13, 1951
4. Eaton Girl, Worcester, October 13, 1951
5. Kandy Cub, Market Rasen, September 20, 1952
5. Kandy Cub, Market Rasen, September 20, 1952
6. Kandy Cub, Perth, September 25, 1952
6. Kandy Cub, Perth, September 25, 1952
7. Cardiff, Carlisle, October 11, 1952
7. Cardiff, Carlisle, October 11, 1952
8. Greluchon, Carlisle, October 11, 1952
8. Greluchon, Carlisle, October 11, 1952
9. Cardiff, Kelso, October 17, 1952
9. Cardiff, Kelso, October 17, 1952
10. Kandy Cub, Kelso, October 17, 1952
10. Kandy Cub, Kelso, October 17, 1952
11. Cardiff, Perth, April 22, 1953
11. Cardiff, Perth, April 22, 1953
12. Monkey Cup, Perth, April 22, 1953
12. Monkey Cup, Perth, April 22, 1953
13. Cardiff, Perth, April 23, 1953
13. Cardiff, Perth, April 23, 1953
14. Cardiff, Hexham, May 2, 1953
14. Cardiff, Hexham, May 2, 1953
15. Kandy Cub, Kelso, May 6, 1953
15. Kandy Cub, Kelso, May 6, 1953
16. Cardiff, Kelso, May 7, 1953
16. Cardiff, Kelso, May 7, 1953
17. Outrider, Southwell, May 12, 1953
17. Outrider, Southwell, May 12, 1953
18. Cardiff, Woore, May 14, 1953
18. Cardiff, Woore, May 14, 1953
19. Outrider, Sedgefield, May 16, 1953
19. Outrider, Sedgefield, May 16, 1953
20. Outrider, Wetherby, December 26, 1953
20. Outrider, Wetherby, December 26, 1953
21. Peter Jackson, Market Rasen, September 25, 1954
21. Peter Jackson, Market Rasen, September 25, 1954
22. Katador, Ayr, October 16, 1954
22. Katador, Ayr, October 16, 1954
23. Keadeen, Wetherby, December 27, 1954
23. Keadeen, Wetherby, December 27, 1954
24. Keadeen, Haydock Park, January 8, 1955
24. Keadeen, Haydock Park, January 8, 1955
25. Peter Jackson, Market Rasen, April 11, 1955
25. Peter Jackson, Market Rasen, April 11, 1955
26. Molly’s Pride, Rothbury, April 16, 1955
26. Molly’s Pride, Rothbury, April 16, 1955
Becher’s first time round in the 1955 Grand National: Steel Lock (Johnny Bullock, no.28) lands in front of Moogie (John Neely, no. 27, nearest camera) with E.S.B. (Tommy Cusack) about to fall and next to him Quare Times (Pat Taaffe, no. 10). Roman Fire (Jack Dowdeswell, on right of picture) is brought down by E.S.B.
Becher’s first time round in the 1955 Grand National: Steel Lock (Johnny Bullock, no.28) lands in front of Moogie (John Neely, no. 27, nearest camera) with E.S.B. (Tommy Cusack) about to fall and next to him Quare Times (Pat Taaffe, no. 10). Roman Fire (Jack Dowdeswell, on right of picture) is brought down by E.S.B.