UK Horse Racing Tips

Brown Jack was one of the most famous and popular horses in Britain in the early twentieth century. Indeed, he is commemorated by a life-sized bronze statue at Ascot, where he won seven times. Fresh from winning the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham for his original trainer, Aubrey Hastings, Brown Jack made his first appearance at Royal Ascot in 1928, winning the Ascot Stakes over 2 miles 4 furlongs.

Sadly, Hastings died the following May and his stables in Wroughton, Wiltshire were taken over by Ivor Anthony. Nevertheless, Anthony saddled Brown Jack to win the Queen Alexandra Stakes – at 2 miles 6 furlongs, the longest Flat race run in Britain – at the Royal meeting in 1929. That was the first of six consecutive wins in the Queen Alexandra Stakes for Brown Jack, who was ridden on each occasion by Steve Donoghue.

Reflecting on his emotional sixth and final victory, as a 10-year-old, in 1934, Donoghue said, ‘All of my six Derby wins faded before the reception that was awaiting Jack and myself. I don’t think I was ever so happy in my life.’ Brown Jack was retired immediately afterwards. During his lengthy career, Brown Jack also won the Goodwood Cup, Doncaster Cup and Chester Cup, but never contested the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. He was a gelding and ran during a period when castrated horses were ineligible to run in the showpiece event.

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