Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Loates, Thomas
LOATES, THOMAS (1867–1910), jockey, born at Derby on 6 Oct. 1867, was a younger son in the family of eight children of Archibald Loates, an hotel keeper there. Two of his brothers, Charles (generally known as 'Ben') and Samuel (who, after he gave up riding, became a trainer of horses at Newmarket), were also professional jockeys. Tom Loates was apprenticed to Joseph Cannon (training at that time for Lord Rosebery at Primrose House, Newmarket) and was fifteen years of age when, in 1883, he rode his first winner, a filly belonging to Lord Rosebery, at Newmarket. During that season he had five mounts. Next year, when he rode in twenty-two races, he was again successful once only. In 1885 he rode four winners, in 1886 twelve, and in 1887 twenty-one. In 1888 he came into prominence by riding fifty-eight winners out of 288 mounts, and thenceforward held a foremost place. In 1889 he was victorious for the first time in a classic race, winning the Derby on the duke of Portland's Donovan, and in the same year headed the list of jockeys by riding 167 winners out of 674 mounts, a percentage of winners to mounts of 24.77. He again occupied the first place in 1890, and, after a two years' retirement, for a third time in 1893, his most successful season, when, with 222 winning mounts out of 867, he had the fine percentage of 25.90. He was attached to Jewitt's stable at the time, and in that year rode Isinglass for Harry McCalmoni When he won the 'Triple Crown' (the Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, and St. Leger), the Ascot cup. and other valuable faces. In 1893 he also won the One Thoasand Guineas on Sir Blundell Maple's Siffleose, and rode Red Ryes in the dead-heat with Cypria for the Cesarewitch. Haring accepted a retainer from Mr. Leopold de Rothschild, he rode St. Frusquin in 1890, when that horse won the Two Thousand Guineas, and again when it was beaten in the Derby by a neck by the Prince of Wales's (afterwards Edward VII) Persimmon. He rode sixteen seasons, had 7140 mounts, was placed first 1425 times, second 1145 times, and third 920 times. In all, Loates rode eight times in the Two Thoosand Guineas. He twice won in that race as well as the One Thousand Guineas and the Derby; he won the St. Leger once. He rode nine times in the Oaks, without winning. For several seasons his chief rival was Mornington Cannon. If not to be classed among the great English jockeys, Loates shows many excellent qualities. A very resourceful rider, he was quick to take advantage of openings that presented themselves during a race.
In 1900 Loates had trouble with his eyes, and relinquishing his licence at the end of that season, retired into private life. For some years he lived at Newmarket, nearly always in bad health. In 1909 he went to live at York Cottage, Aldbourne, near Brighton, where he died in a convulsive fit, on 28 Sept. 1910. He was buried at Brighton. His will was proved for 74,342l., one of the largest fortunes ever accumulated by a jockey. He married in 1909 Isabella Dale, daughter of Charles Simpson Watt of Perth. He left no issue. A cartoon portrait by 'Spy' appeared in 'Vanity Fair' in 1890.
[Sporting Life. 29 Sept. 1910 and 14 Feb. 1911; Sportsman, 29 Sept. 1910; H. Sydenham Dixon. From Gladiateur to Persimmon, p. 186; Ruff's Guide to the Turf, vols. 1883–1900.]