Skeets Martin

John Henry "Skeets" Martin
circa 1900
OccupationJockey
BornJanuary 25, 1875
Titusville, Pennsylvania,
United States
DiedMarch 1944 (aged 69)
Realta, Switzerland
Career wins1257: 269-242-181 (US)
138: 48-?-? (1899)
Major racing wins
United States wins:
First Special Stakes (1896)
Brooklyn Handicap (1897)
Dolphin Stakes (1897)
Golden Rod Stakes (1897)
Brighton Derby (1906)

United Kingdom wins:
September Stakes (1899)
Northumberland Plate (1900)
Princess of Wales's Stakes (1902)
Lincolnshire Handicap (1908)
Coronation Cup (1910)
King's Stand Stakes (1911, 1913)

British Classic Race wins:
Epsom Derby (1902)
2,000 Guineas (1903)

Significant horses
Ard Patrick
Hornet's Beauty
Rock Sand
Sir Martin
Volodyovski

John Henry Martin (1875–1944), commonly referred to as "Skeets" Martin, was an American jockey who achieved many racing wins in the United States and the United Kingdom during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. His most notable race wins were the 1902 Epsom Derby on Ard Patrick and the 1903 2,000 Guineas on Rock Sand. Martin's technique was often at odds with racing authority rules, his license being suspended several times, and his early career was marred by allegations of cheating and underhanded gambling practices.[1]

  1. ^ New York Times. "A column for race-goers." May 28, 1899.