Former lightweight jockey Johnny Greenaway dies at 98 after 'lovely long life'

Successful northern jockey HJ 'Johnny' Greenaway, who rode around 600 winners in a career that lasted more than 30 years, has died at the age of 98.

Born in London, he moved to Malton after service in the Second World War – during which he was on the Normandy beaches just two days after D-Day – and rode his first winner at Newcastle in 1949.

Weighing 7st 1lb, he came in for lightweight rides and said later: "I must have ridden for nearly every trainer in the north, including Captain Charles Elsey and Rufus Beasley and for a long time I was with Jack Calvert at Hambleton."

Among the notable races he won were the Manchester November Handicap and Gosforth Park Cup. He also finished third in the St Leger in 1968 on Cold Storage.

He recalled: "One of the best horses I rode was Tanavar for Captain Elsey. He was a stayer, but a strong puller, and I got the ride because he settled for me."

Greenaway felt he lost his edge after suffering chest injuries in a car crash and he retired from race-riding at the age of 53.

Paying tribute, his son-in-law Bernard Hoggarth, an owner with Mick Easterby, said: "He loved his racing and right up until he was in his 90s he was still going to York. And he was so sharp – he could work odds out before I'd even got my pencil out!

"He had a lovely long life, other than racing accidents and the odd car accident he was fairly trouble free. Racing was good to him and he was always in front of the television watching it after he retired."

Greenaway is survived by his widow Connie, children Peter and Rosemarie plus five grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

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