Mick & David Easterby: Racing Syndicates and Racehorse Ownership






Sawdust Jack (GB)

Sawdust Jack (GB)



SireRarity
DamRibero's Overture
DOB 1984
Sex gelding
Colour bay
Country GB
Owner
S H J Brewer

Sawdust Jack was a legend in his own lifetime.

When Jack first came to the yard nobody wanted him as he was sired by Rarity whose offspring had a reputation and all being nutters. However, Mr Brewer was prepared to take a chance and in the coming years Jack would pay him back handsomely.

Jane Towse was Jack’s groom throughout his life. He only ever had one groom and their bond was immense like no other she loved him with everything she had.

Jack made his debut at Catterick in April 1986, finishing sixth. He ran five times as a juvenile without making the frame, after which he had a long break before making his hurdles debut at Catterick in November 1987. Jack finished runner up in his first two hurdles races before winning for the first time under Phil Tuck at Wetherby on 28th December. He was a winner again the following February at Newcastle.

Jack went onto win two more hurdles races at Hexham and Haydock before switching to fences, winning on his first outing over the bigger obstacles at Sedgefield in January 1990. He would record further wins at Market Rasen, Wetherby and Newcastle.

Jack’s final win would prove to be his last race. On 3rd December 1990 he won the ‘Silver Blaze Handicap Chase’ ridden by Peter Niven. He was the only horse to finish the race, turning over the odds-on favourite Greenheart who fell. The race was carnage but worse was to come and what started as a happy day would end in tragedy.

During the race Jack had struck into a tendon very badly, in the following weeks myself and Jane did all we could by sending him to one the top vets in the hope that if they could repair his leg he could retire gracefully.

Sadly this wasn’t to be and Jack was peacefully put to sleep with his groom by his side. Jane’s heart was broken in two when she said goodbye.

Jack was a hero and was much missed. His final record read eight wins but his legacy was much greater than could be measured by numbers.

Name notes:

Euthanised after failing to recover from injury sustained at Newcastle.

News

03Dec24
On This Day 1991: The Tale of Sawdust Jack




Date Race

03Dec91

Silver Blaze Handicap Chase
2m

Newcastle
Jockey: Peter Niven

Owner: S H J Brewer

Trainer: Michael Easterby

27Feb91

East Keswick Handicap Chase
2m

Wetherby
Jockey: Peter Niven

Owner: S H J Brewer

Trainer: Michael Easterby

26Dec90

C. F. Rawlinson 'fine Drainage' Handicap Chase
2m 1f

Market Rasen
Jockey: R Marley

Owner: S H J Brewer

Trainer: Michael Easterby

03Jan90

Hamsterley Novices' Chase
2m

Sedgefield
Jockey: Ger Lyons

Owner: S H J Brewer

Trainer: Michael Easterby

16Mar89

Fallowfield Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle
2m

Hexham
Jockey: C Ryan

Owner: S H J Brewer

Trainer: Michael Easterby

18Dec88

Beeches Farm Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle
1m 7½f

Haydock
Jockey: C Ryan

Owner: S H J Brewer

Trainer: Michael Easterby

20Feb88

Parade Ring Raceline Hurdle
2m

Newcastle
Jockey: C Hawkins

Owner: MW Easterby

Trainer: Michael Easterby

28Dec87

Bradford Novices' Hurdle (3YO)
2m

Wetherby
Jockey: Phil Tuck

Owner: MW Easterby

Trainer: Michael Easterby