At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, American jockeys began to make their mark on horse racing in the British Isles. The British public, with its snobbish demeanour, viewed this development with a sense of indulgence, clinging to the belief in the superiority of their long-established horse riding traditions. Initially, visiting jockeys were allowed to compete in the most prestigious races, as the confidence in English professionals' techniques and abilities was so strong that few saw the American newcomers as true competitors.
However, to everyone's surprise, these seemingly clumsy Americans began to clinch victories, leading to significant winnings. This prompted a reevaluation of their riding techniques, including their posture and rein handling. Although it was a humbling experience for British pride, this shift culminated in a revision of traditional British riding theory. The clear advantages of American methods, evidenced by their success, were soon embraced by British jockeys, sparking a major advancement in British racing and heralding a new chapter in the history of thoroughbred racing.
Willie Simms
Willie Simms, an African-American jockey, was a trailblazer among American riders on British racetracks. In the 1890s, he was recognised as the top jockey in the United States and remains the only black jockey in America to have won all three races of the American Triple Crown. Simms achieved a remarkable 25% win rate, securing 182 victories in 1883 alone. He later worked for Brooklyn businessmen Mike and Phil Dwyer in 1885, managing a thoroughbred stable and earning over $20,000. Although the stable closed in 1890, Simms maintained his relationship with Mike Dwyer, and in 1896, he rode to victory in the Kentucky Derby on one of Dwyer's horses.
In 1895, Richard Crocker, a political figure and gangster affiliated with Tammany Hall, invited Simms to England, where he raced for four months. Despite facing racial prejudice and derogatory remarks like being called a "monkey on a stick," Simms made a significant impact by winning the Crawford Plate on Crocker’s horse, Eau Gallie. His riding technique — characterised by a high seat, short stirrups, and a firm grip on the horse’s head — began to gain recognition, highlighting the advantages of his style to the English audience.
Todd Sloan
In November 1904, the Liberty Theatre on Broadway premiered the musical *Little Johnny Jones*, created by George M. Cohan. The story revolves around a young jockey named Johnny Jones, who competes on a horse called Yankee Doodle. The character is inspired by American jockey James Forman, nicknamed "Tod" Sloan. Coming from a disadvantaged background and often referred to as "toad" due to his short stature, Sloan achieved remarkable success, ultimately rising to prominence despite his size.
During his career in the United States, Sloan worked for William K. Whitney, the owner of the first American racing stable, and was the leading jockey on the East Coast from 1893 to 1896. In 1896, he was invited to England by American breeder and thoroughbred owner James R. Keene.
Initially, the English public received Sloan with scepticism, similar to their treatment of his predecessor, Simms. Critics likened him to a “monkey on a stick” due to his distinctive riding style, which involved leaning forward with bent legs in short stirrups. This American method of riding irritated the English audience, who preferred the traditional posture with a straight back.
However, the riding style known as the “American seat” or “monkey crouch” was not an invention of Sloan or Simms; it was rooted in the indigenous riding techniques of the American continent, which colonists later adopted for comfort and safety while travelling through the Wild West.
Sloan’s talent shone through when he achieved five consecutive victories at Newmarket Racecourse in 1898. The following year, he won the prestigious 1000 Guineas, and in 1900, he claimed victory in the Ascot Gold Cup. In 1897, he won 20 out of 53 races in England, earning £2,000. By 1898, he was riding for prominent figures, including the Prince of Wales and Lord William Beresford, winning 43 of 78 races that season alone.
Overall, Sloan recorded 108 victories and 103 second-place finishes out of 345 races in England, securing his status as both a wealthy and celebrated figure. His rising fame attracted friendships with many in Britain, as British jockeys began to adopt his riding style, leading to a shift in perception and a more accepting view of this innovative technique.
Lester and Johnny Reiff
Brothers Lester and Johnny Reiff were prominent American jockeys who made their mark in the English racing scene at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. With the assistance of trainers Duke and Wishard, the Reiff brothers, alongside Simms, trained horses for the influential Richard Croker, further solidifying the successes achieved by Simms and Sloan.
Lester, the elder brother, dominated the ranks of jockeys in Great Britain in 1900, amassing an impressive 143 wins from 549 races— a feat unmatched by any other jockey in the country at that time. Notably, he claimed victory in the prestigious Epsom Derby in 1981.
The younger brother, John, was notably shorter in stature and often dressed like a teenager, earning him the nickname “knickerbocker,” in reference to the short pants traditionally worn by young boys in Dutch settlements of the New World. His achievements include winning the Dewhurst Stakes in 1891, the Derby Stakes in both 1907 and 1912, and the 2000 Guineas Stakes in 1913.
In 1891, the Jockey Club revoked Lester's licence due to an incident involving holding a horse during a race, which garnered significant attention. As a result, John Reiff was compelled to leave England for France, where he found success as the leading jockey in 1902. He eventually returned to England to continue his racing career.
Danny Maher
Daniel Aloysius Maher, an esteemed member of the American Jockeys Hall of Fame, garnered significant recognition for his achievements in Great Britain. Having secured numerous prestigious wins in his home country, he rose to prominence as a jockey in 1898. However, the passage of the Hart-Agnew Act, which prohibited wagering on American horse racing, posed a severe threat to the industry, leading to the closure of racetracks and prompting trainers and owners to send their horses to Europe, along with jockeys.
In England, Maher enjoyed an extraordinary career, amassing a total of 1,421 victories and maintaining a remarkable 25 percent win rate. He triumphed in the Derby three times, claimed the Eclipse Stakes five times, and won the Ascot Gold Cup on two occasions.
In both 1908 and 1913, Maher emerged as the leading jockey in England and became a naturalised citizen. Tragically, he succumbed to tuberculosis at the young age of 35, just as he was reaching the height of his career. He was laid to rest in Paddington Cemetery, London.
Skits Martin
In 1898, John Henry Martin emerged as one of the top jockeys in the United States, but soon found himself compelled to relocate to England, following the trend of many prominent American riders. Between 1899 and 1920, he participated in British racing, becoming a part of the "American invasion" that heightened competition within the English jockey scene, elevated riding techniques, and transformed the landscape of British racing.
Known as Skeets Martin, he achieved an impressive record of 48 wins out of 138 races in his inaugural season in England. Despite facing multiple suspensions from The Jockey Club due to his aggressive riding style, he consistently returned to the track, celebrating numerous victories.
When World War I broke out, Martin and his wife moved to California; however, they returned to Newmarket in 1916, where Martin secured 32 wins in 1917. After retiring from racing, he shifted his focus to luge and real estate. Unfortunately, during World War II, he lost his financial savings and passed away in 1944 at a nursing home in Switzerland.
Although these jockeys had diverse backgrounds and life paths, they all shared exceptional talent and a relentless drive for success. For many American jockeys, the British Isles became a second home, a place where they channelled their accomplishments and contributed to the rich legacy of British racing.