22 September 2009 John Manners dies
by Weatherbys Chase Staff
JOHN MANNERS: passes away at 83
photo: Brian Armstrong
John Manners, one of the most popular and eccentric characters on the Point-to-Point circuit, has passed away at the age of 83, following a short illness.
Manners, a farmer by trade, was involved in Pointing as an owner, trainer and rider for over fifty years, and housed a large string of horses at his yard at Highworth, near Swindon.
His career highlight came in 2000 when, in one of the most incredible races ever seen at Cheltenham, his home-bred Cavalero passed half a dozen rivals on the run-in to land the Christie's Foxhunters. It was the gelding's second of three career wins at Prestbury Park, coming two years after he landed the Aintree equivalent, a race that Manners had previously won with Killeshin in 1994.
The 2009 season was a successful one for Manners, with no less than 13 winners sporting his instantly recognisable blue and red silks. Rustic John and Trizzy won three races apiece, while Doug was the South Midlands Area winner of the pointtopoint.co.uk Young Horse Awards.
