John Watts (jockey)

Jack Watts was born at Stockbridge, Hampshire in 1860.[1] In his mid teens he was apprenticed to the trainer Tom Cannon at Danebury, and rode his first winner in 1876. In 1878 he moved to Newmarket and joined the successful stable of Richard Marsh. His association with Marsh would last throughout his career.[2]

Marsh’s patrons included the King Edward VII and the Duke of Hamilton, providing Watts with a string of top class rides. His major winners for the Duke included Ossian (St Leger) and Miss Jummy (1000 Guineas, Oaks), while the Prince provided him with probably his best horse, the Derby winner Persimmon. Watts was less fortunate with the Prince’s second Derby winner, Diamond Jubilee, who loathed the jockey and tried to attack him before the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.[2] Watts subsequently gave up the ride on the temperamental colt.

Watts was also successful when riding for other owners and trainers including Mathew Dawson and John Porter for whom he rode the Derby winners Ladas and Sainfoin respectively.

By 1895 Watts was having serious weight problems and the constant “wasting” was affecting his health.[1] He resolved to retire at the end of 1895, but was persuaded to reconsider by Marsh.[2] Watts finally retired in 1900 and set himself up as a trainer at Newmarket, where his patrons included the King. He health was never good, however and he died after falling ill at a race meeting at Sandown in July 1902. He was forty-one years old. His funeral on 2 August was attended by "almost the entire town" of Newmarket.[3]

Jack Watts was married twice and started a dynasty of trainers. His son John Evelyn Watts trained the 1927 Derby winner Call Boy, and his grandson John Frederick Watts became private trainer to Lord Derby and won the St Leger with Indiana in 1964. Jack Watts' great-grandson, John William “Bill” Watts trained Waterloo to win the 1000 Guineas in 1972 and Teleprompter to win the 1985 Arlington Million.