Michael Church Racing Books

A time-line through Epsom’s race days        1779-1830

In 1779, Epsom ran two race meetings, the first in mid-May and the second in late October.

The May Meeting was run over three days – two races on Wednesday, 12^th – the first won by the Duke of Queensbury’s Slim, who won two of the three-mile heats. The second race, a match between Dennis O’Kelly’s Eclipse colt, Trimbush, and Mr Walker’s Scamp, was won by O’Kelly after agreeing the distance to be 980 yards.

Thursday had only one race – the Noblemen and Gentlemen’s Plate for horses of five years and upwards, run in four-mile heats – the Duke of Queensbury’s 6-y-o mare, Rosalba by Herod winning both heats.

On Friday, 14^th May, following the Ladies Plate won by Leapfrog, the inaugural Oaks was run over the last mile and a half of the old Orbicular course, and won by Lord Derby’s Bridget, from Mr Vernon’s Fame and ten others. The last race of the meeting, the Town Plate, was run in four-mile heats until one horse had won twice. Mr Stacie’s Toper took the prize after winning the third and fourth heat of a gruelling contest.

The three-day October Meeting opened on Tuesday, 26^th with another Town Plate, this won in two heats by Mr Redfearne’s Hephestion by Marske. Also that afternoon, was a Sweepstake for Hunters carrying 12st, over four miles.

On Wednesday, a Noblemen and Gentlemen’s Subscription Plate for ten 4-y-o’s was run in three-three-mile heats, Mr Jenning’s colt, Standby, winning two.

Thursday’s sport was taken up with another Noblemen and Gentlemen’s Plate, this one for ten 3-y-o’s over two miles. Captain Bertie’s filly, America by Marske, starting at Evens, took the prize, winning two of the three heats.

 In 1780, Epsom continued to run two meetings, the first in early-May and the second in late October. The May Meeting opened on Wednesday, the 3^rd, with two four-mile heats, won by Hephestion. Thursday the 4^th, saw the inaugural Derby, run over the last mile of the old Orbicular or Cup Course and won by Sir Charles Bunbury’s Diomed.

Diomed – Winner of the first Derby in 1780, with jockey Sam Arnull

This was the first of two races, the second – the Noblemen and Gentleman’s Purse, run in three four-mile heats, was won by Major O’Kelly’s Eclipse colt, King Fergus, a future Champion Sire.

On Friday the 5^th, the Oaks, won by Mr Douglas’s Tetotum, was the first of two races, but Saturday had only one, a Town Plate, won by Lord Milsintown’s grey mare, Tiffany by Eclipse, who won both four-mile heats from six rivals.

Epsom’s 1780, four–day October meeting, opened on Monday the 23^rd, with a Hunters Sweepstake, both heats won by Mr Page’s colt by Matchem. Tuesday, featured a Town Plate, where Leapfrog beat the favourite Hephestion, in both four-mile heats; Wednesday had an 11-runner, 4-y-o Noblemen and Gentlemen’s Plate, won by Mr Dymock’s Alfred by Goldfinder, and on Thursday, a sweep for 3-y-o’s, run in three two-mile heats, was won by Sir John Lade’s Bishop Blaze.

In 1784, the Derby distance was increased to a mile and a half, so bringing it in line with the Oaks.

The Prince’s Stand, was originally built around 1784, and used by the Prince of Wales (later King George IV), for the royal party celebrations when the Prince won the Derby with Sir Thomas in 1788. Until 1829, it was the only permanent building on the Downs.

The Princes Stand – originally built circa 1784

In 1799, there was no October meeting, but the May fixture was extended to four days. However, Wednesday, 8^th May, offered only a two-horse Sweepstakes over three miles, Thursday saw an 11-runner Derby, won by Archibald at 12-1. This was Sir Frank Standish’s third Derby winner, after Spread Eagle in 1795 and Didelot in 1796. The day concluded with a three-runner Sweepstakes over four miles.

Friday featured a four-runner-Oaks won by Lord Grosvenor’s Bellina. Grosvenor, a leading light on the Turf at the time, had previously owned three Derby winners, including the two brothers, Rhadamanthus(1790) and Daedalus (1794), and five Oaks winners, of which Bellina was his last.

The day continued with a 100-guinea one-mile match and closed with two two-mile heats for 3-y-o’s. Saturday’s opening race was the Woodcot Stakes (note the spelling), for 2-y-o colts and fillies over four furlongs. This was followed by a Sweepstakes for fillies (8st.) over a mile and a quarter, and won by Sir Charles Bunbury’s Pamela. The meeting concluded with a three-mile match, the winner, Mr Hay’s Midnight, conceding 2st, to the second.

For the record, this year’s even-money Derby favourite, Eagle, had yet to be named, and ran in the Derby as Brother to Spread Eagle. In the same way, the 1796 Derby favourite, Mr Teazle, had gone to post known as the Sir Peter colt. These two beaten favourites thereafter, fuelled a suspicion and prejudice against running unnamed candidates in the Derby.

 By 1830, single races were in vogue, the number of horses in training multiplied and fewer races were run in heats.

The previous year, Epsom opened the new Grandstand accommodating 5,000 spectators, including 2,000 standing on a terraced roof; the advertising proclaiming, “everyone can see the whole of the Derby Course.”

Epsom continued to run two meetings – four days in May and two days in October.

On Tuesday the ^{25th of May}, The Colonel, 2-1 favourite, took the Craven Stakes, the first of five races, before a dead-heat in the Shirley Stakes with Stakes divided. On Wednesday, Merman won the two-mile Epsom Gold Cup, followed by a Partisan filly taking the Woodcote Stakes.

Thursday started with the Derby, the first of five races, where Priam, owned and trained by William Chifney, beat 22 rivals. Friday, also had five races, commencing with the Oaks, where Mr Scott Stonehewer’s, Variation beat 17 rivals, to win at 28-1.

Finally, in mid-October – Thursday the 14^th, there were three races featuring the six-furlong, Epsom Stakes for two and three-year-olds, and on Friday, the Wellington Stakes, a handicap over the Derby Course, the first of four races.

This pattern continued to the mid-19th century when the Great Metropolitan Handicap (2 miles 2 furlongs) and the City and Suburban Handicap (1 mile 2 furlongs) injected new life into racing at Epsom, with betting on the double a major feature.

Following shortly — Epsom’s Race Days 1844-1886

For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

To see Michael’s interviews go to the foot of About Michael

2024 Betfred Derby

Run on Saturday, 1 June, 2024 as the Betfred Derby over the Derby Course of one mile and a half and 6 yards, Epsom Downs. For three-year-olds; entire colts 9st 2lb, fillies 8st 13lb. 75 entries. Value to winner £882,407.60

1^st     CITY OF TROY                     Ryan Moore                3-1 Fav

2^nd   AMBIENT FRIENDLY             Robert Havlin        9-2           2¾ lengths

3^rd    LOS ANGELES                Wayne Lordan       6-1            3¼  lengths

 Also ran: 4^th Deira Mile (Jim Crowley) 14-1; Sayedaty Sadaty (Tom Marquand) 50-1; Dancing Gemini (Dylan Browne McMonagle) 8-1: Bellum Justum (Oisin Murphy) 16-1; Ancient Wisdom (William Buick) 6-1; Euphoric (Declan McDonogh) 33-1; Tabletalk (James Doyle) 100-1; Kamboo (Richard Kingscote) 80-1; God’s Window (Kieran Shoemark) 33-1; Macduff (Rossa Ryan) 14-1; Dallas Star (David Egan) 33-1 (tailed off); Mr Hamstead (Sean Levey) 80-1 (tailed off 93½  lengths behind the winner: Voyage (Pat Dobbs) 28-1 (unseated at start).

For those attending this years Betfred Derby, there was an absence of the protest groups that had  threatened trouble the previous year. Moreover, with no Cup Final to contend with, the race returned to the more suitable time of 4.30. King Charles and Queen Camilla, having attended the day before to see their Oaks entry, Treasure run, were not present to see the Derby.

Now to the contenders:

City Of Troy, by the American Triple Crown winner, Justify, and rated Europe’s top two-year-old after his impressive victory in Newmarket’s Dewhurst Stakes, was a bitter disappointment in the 2,000 Guineas, starting the 4-6 favourite and finishing 9th of 11, beaten 17 lengths by Godolphin’s Notable Speech. In the run up to the Derby his price yo-yoed as punters searched for an alternative. The Gredley Families Ambient Friendly, provided that and was backed down on the day to 9-2, after an impressive victory in the Lingfield Derby Trial. Others in contention at 6-1 were Godolphin’s Ancient Wisdom, winner of the Doncaster Futurity, and Los Angeles, Aiden O’Brien’s second string, unbeaten in three runs.

Sixteen runners went to post and the commentators “The’re Off”, was met with a great cheer. Leaving the stalls, Voyage, drawn 16 of 16 stumbled and unseated Pat Dobbs. However, the early pace was not affected and was taken up by the O’Brien pair Euphoric and Los Angeles in an attempt to set the race up for City Of Troy, who from stall 1 settled in at the rear of the field.

Running down from the highest point to Tattenham Corner, Euphoric led from Los Angeles, Sayedaty Sadaty and Dallas Star, while taking the corner, City Of Troy was still only in mid-division. Ominously, three furlongs out, Ambient Friendly was seen cruising, while Ryan Moore searched for a gap off the rails.

Then, two furlongs out, taking the opportunity as the field spread out a little, Moore drove City Of Troy through a gap between his stable companions to join the leaders, momentarily sharing the lead with Ambient Friendly, who in the final duel proved no match for City Of Troy, who went on to win by 2¾ lengths. Los Angeles, a further 3¼ lengths adrift ran an honorable third, while Deira Mile snatched fourth in the final strides.

This was Aidan O’Brien’s record tenth Derby winner and Mrs John (Sue) Magnier and Michael Tabor’s 11^th in partnership. It was also Ryan Moore’s fourth Derby winner following Auguste Rodin (2023), Ruler Of The World  (2013) and Workforce (2010).

16 ran. Time 2min 38.32 sec

The winner was BRED by Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt. OWNED by Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith and TRAINED by A P O’Brien at Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

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The winner, CITY OF TROY (b.c. 2021), has won 4 races from 5 starts: Barronstown Stud EBF (C & F) Maiden, The Curragh, Bet365 Superlative Stakes, and Native Trail’s Dewhurst Stakes, Newmarket, Betfred Derby Stakes, Epsom. 

The sire, JUSTIFY (ch.c.2015), ex STAGE MAGIC by GHOSTZAPPER, won 5 races from 6 starts incl. Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, Preakness, Pimlico, Belmont Stakes, Belmont Park.

The dam, TOGETHER FOREVER (b.f.2012), by GALILEO ex GREEN ROOM by THEATRICAL, won 3 races incl Dubai Fillies Mile, Newmarket and has bred 4 other winners.

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For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

To see Michael’s interviews go to the foot of About Michael

2024 Betfred Oaks

 RUN on Friday, 31 May 2024, as the Betfred Oaks, over the Derby Course of one mile and a half and 6 yards, Epsom Downs. For three-year-old fillies, 9st 2lb. Value to winner £311,905.

1^st   EZELIYA  Chris Hayes   13-2

2^nd DANCE SEQUENCE   William Buick    7-1        3 lengths

3^rd  WAR CHIMES  Tom Marquand   50-1      1½ lengths

Also ran: 4^th You Got To Me (Hector Crouch) 15-2; Caught U Looking (Colin Keane) 16-1; Ylang Ylang (Ryan Moore) 11-8 Fav; Forest Fairy (Rossa Ryan) 10-1; Making Dreams (Clifford Lee) 40-1;  Rubies Are Red (Wayne Lordan) 12-1; Secret Satire (Oisin Murphy) 20-1 (tailed off); Treasure (James Doyle) 22-1 (tailed off);  Seaward (Sylvestre De Sousa) 40-1 (tailed off, last).

Commentary:  The clear favourite at 11-8 for this years Oaks was Ylang Ylang, a Frankel filly trained by Aidan O’Brien, who having won Newmarket’s Fillies Mile as a juvenile, finished a very close fifth in the 1,000 Guineas, beaten only a length. Next in the market at 13-2 was the Aga Khan’s, Dubawi filly, Ezeliya, winner of the Group 3 Salsabil Stakes at Navan. Godolphin’s Dance Sequence, also by Dubawi, and winner of the Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket as a juvenile, was despite disappointing in the Guineas, a popular alternative at 7-1. Treasure, the Royal runner, was available at 22-1.

Twelve runners lined up on good to soft ground for the 246th Oaks Stakes. Caught You Looking, Secret Satire and Making Dreams (outside), took them along until Making Dreams built up a lead after 3 furlongs, extending it to four lengths at the top of the hill from Seaward, Treasure and Caught U Looking. At this point the O’Brian pair, Ylang Ylang and Rubies Are Red were at the back  of the field.

Coming out of Tattenham Corner, Making Dreams was joined by You Got To Me and Caught U Looking, with Ezeliya in close attendance.

However, passing the 2 furlong pole, Dance Sequence made progress to join Ezeliya; battle ensued, until approaching 100 yards out, when Ezeliya, with Chris Hayes aboard, stormed clear to win by 3 lengths.

In the closing stages, War Chimes ran on well to finish third a further length and a half away.

Ylang Ylang, pushed along from Tattenham Corner, finished a well beaten 6th.

12 ran   Time 2 min 42.06 sec

Winner BRED by H.H. The Aga Khan’s Studs SC. OWNED by H.H. The Aga Khan TRAINED by D.K. Weld, Ireland

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The winner, EZELIYA (b.f. 2021), has won 3 races from 4 starts: Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, Cork, Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes, Navan, Betfred Oaks.

The sire, DUBAWI (b.c.2002) ex DUBAI MILLENNIUM by SEEKING THE GOLD, won 5 races from 8 starts incl. National Stakes and Irish 2,000 Guineas, The Curragh, Prix Jaques Le Marois, Deauville. Second in Queen Elizabeth ll Stakes. Third in Vodafone Derby. Champion Sire in GB & Ireland 2022. Sire of 6 GB Classic winners 2010-2024.

The dam, EZIYRA (ch.f. 2003) by TEOFILO, ex EYTARNA by DUBAI DESTINATION, won 6 races from 13 starts incl. Moyglare “Jewells” Blandford Stakes, The Curragh. She has  bred 1 other winner: EZIVA b.f. 2020 by MEDAGLIA D’ORO, won 1 race from 5 starts, a Tramore Maiden over 1 mile 4 furlongs.

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For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

The 1844 Running Rein Derby Scandal

Villainy on the Turf was to reach a new peak in the Derby of 1844, when the apparent winner Running Rein, owned by Mr A. Wood, a respectable Epsom corn-chandler, was in reality a four-year-old named Maccabeus. In the past, although the occasional winner of the Derby had been under suspicion of being a year older, no one had been able to gather enough evidence to mount a successful challenge.

This plot began in September 1841, when an unscrupulous villain, Abraham Goodman Levi, known as Goodman of Foley Place, London, bought Maccabeus, “a bright bay, no white, black legs and good eyes,” as a yearling at Tattersalls Doncaster Sales. Maccabeus, foaled in April 1840 and bred by Sir Charles Ibbotson in Yorkshire, was by Gladiator out of a Capsicum mare, and held an entry in the 1843 Derby.

A month later, Harry Stebbings, a Yorkshire trainer, purchased for Goodman a colt foal by the Saddler out of Mab, for 28 guineas. Bred by Dr. Cobb of Malton, Running Rein was slightly built with black legs and feet and significantly a few white hairs on his head. Although born in May, he was noted as a “smart little fellow” and so entered in the Derby. Kept in Stebbings’ care until the following spring, he was then sent to Goodman’s stables at Langham Place, London. (Lord George Bentinck below).

In the autumn, Goodman sent three horses, including Maccabeus and Running Rein, to be broken in at the Epsom stables of William Smith. The intrigue went deeper when Goodman leased an Irish two-year-old named Goneaway to run as Maccabeus at Epsom in the spring. Later that year the colt was reported dead, but Goneaway had in fact returned to Ireland. Meanwhile at Epsom, the real Maccabeus, having a permanent scar on his leg, was matched by Running Rein, who after recently suffering a convenient accident, now gave both colt’s identical scars.  The enquiry, held at the Houghton Meeting two weeks later, hinged on whether the stable lad, present at the birth of Running Rein and with him until sold to Goodman, could identify the horse. The lad travelled down from Yorkshire the night before under close guard and was taken to the Stewards of the Jockey Club the next day. To the dismay of the objectors, he identified the horse without hesitation, since a switch had been skilfully perpetrated and the ‘impersonator’ spirited away. Goodman’s ploy seemed to have worked as Maccabeus was now recorded as Running Rein.
The winter joint-favourites for the Derby at 7-1 were William Crockford’s Ratan and John Day’s The Ugly Buck, while Goodman’s wagers had reduced the price of ‘Running Rein’ from 33-1 to 20-1. In view of his Derby bets, Goodman decided it would be prudent to sell Running Rein to Mr A.Wood, a corn merchant who supplied Smith’s yard. He hoped this would remove the attentions of both the Jockey Club and Lord George Bentinck.

On the Saturday before the Derby, a signed petition was given to the Epsom stewards requesting that Running Rein’s mouth be examined by a vet to determine his age. On the advice of Captain (later Admiral) Rous, the stewards allowed the horse to run, stating that if he won an inquiry would follow before any payment of stakes.

On Derby Day, The Ugly Buck, having won the Two Thousand Guineas, was a well supported favourite at 5-2. Ratan, winner of the New Stakes at Ascot and the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket was on 3-1, with Running Rein next in the market at 10-1 and Orlando on 20-1.  Goodman, present at the saddling of the runners, suddenly became very anxious, having realised Lord George Bentinck’s runner, Croton Oil, was out of the same dam as Maccabeus.

Bentinck stood a few yards off. Now so close to landing his coup, Goodman feared Bentinck would recognise Croton Oil and Maccabeus as half-brothers – but he didn’t.

Scheduled as the first race on the card and after two false starts the Derby got under way. The field, unseen from the grandstand until coming from behind the hill, saw Leander lead from Ratan, The Ugly Buck, Akbar and Voltri. Due to the hard ground, the leaders kicked up so much dust that jockeys and horses towards the rear of the field were partially blinded and choking in clouds of dust. At the mile post, Sam Mann took Running Rein up to join Leander, whose early pace had already distanced some of the runners.

At the top of the hill, tragedy awaited Leander, as Running Rein struck into his off hind leg sending him crashing down and shattering his leg above the fetlock. Running Rein, miraculously escaping damage, went further ahead in the run down to Tattenham Corner. Well clear entering the straight, he saw off the challenges of The Ugly Buck and Akbar, as Orlando, Ionian and Bay Momus now came into contention. At the distance, Colonel Peel’s Orlando and Ionian looked to be closing, but Running Rein held on to win by three-quarters of a length.

Running Rein

Goodman Levi’s joy was short lived, for within an hour Colonel Jonathan Peel (brother of Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel), supported by Bentinck, lodged an objection and then proceeded to take legal action against Mr A. Wood, the innocent owner of the winner.

To add to the turmoil, this was not the only villainous fraud in the race. The Litchwald brothers, later banned for life, had entered Leander knowing him to be six years old. Poor Leander was shot and buried, less his lower jaw, sawn off for the stewards to determine the age of the colt. Later that night, a party of trainers and jockeys conspired to dig up and remove the remainder of the horse’s head and the upper jaw to prevent any further investigations. Further villainy came to light when it was known that the favourite, The Ugly Buck, was pulled by his jockey, and the second favourite, Ratan, owned by the great gambler William Crockford, was both pulled and poisoned in an act of revenge.

Much confusion followed, before the civil case of Wood v Peel held at the Court of the Exchequer on 1 July, 1844 settled the matter. After hearing all the evidence, the Judge demanded they “produce the horse”. The plaintiff and his counsel, not able to comply, withdrew from the case, leaving Peel and Bentinck triumphant. Orlando was awarded the Derby, while Goodman and his cronies, who had stood to win £50,000, fled to France.

Orlando

It should be noted as a gauge of public opinion, immediately after the Derby, odds of 2-1 were laid on Running Rein keeping the race. Forward six weeks to the end of the first day’s hearing and 10-1 was offered on Orlando – with no takers!

When the news reached Newmarket, such was the joy that all the church bells were rung and bands paraded in the streets. Finally, Lord George Bentinck was rewarded for his diligence by a testimonial, from which was founded the Bentinck Benevolent Fund for the needy dependants of trainers and jockeys.

While the whereabouts of Running Rein remained a mystery, Maccabeus raced in his own name as a five-year old, until exported to Russia for stallion duties.

Orlando, went to stud at Newmarket for a fee of only 10 guineas. He was an instant success, getting Teddington (1851 Derby) in his first crop and siring three winners of the Two Thousand Guineas: Fazzoletto (1856), Fitzroland (1858) and Diophantus (1861). He became Champion Sire in 1851, 1854 and 1858, and died in the ownership of Mr Charles Greville, at Hampton Court in December 1868.

The Race:

RUN on Wednesday, 22 May, 1844, over the last mile and a half of the Orbicular or. Cup Course at Epsom Downs. For three-year-olds; colts and geldings 8st 7lb, fillies 8st 2lb. 153 entries. Value to winner £4,300.

1st  COLONEL JONATHAN PEEL’s b.c. ORLANDO (Touchstone – Vulture)  Nat Flatman

2nd  COLONEL JONATHAN PEEL’s b.c. IONIAN (Ion – Malibran)  George Edwards

3rd  COLONEL GEORGE ANSON’s b.c. BAY MOMUS (Bay Middleton – Sister to Grey Momus)  Frank Butler

Also ran:

MR J. DAY’s b. c. The Ugly Buck (J. Day, Jun.); SIR G. HEATHCOTE’s ch.c. Akbar (J. Chapple); MR W. CROCKFORD’s ch.c. Ratan (S.Rogers); MR J. DAY’s br.c. Voltri (W. Day); MR J. BOWES’s b.c. T’Auld Squire (J. Holmes); SIR G. HEATHCOTE’s ch.c. Campunero (Perren); MR FORD’s b.c. Qui Tam (J. Robinson); MR J. OSBORNE’s ch.c. Mount Charles (Bumby); MR FORD’s ch.c. Phalaris (Whitehouse); LORD G. BENTINCK’s b.c. Croton Oil (W.Howlett); MR A.W. HILL’s b.c. Beaumont (G. Galloway); MR LICHTWALD’s b.c. Leander (Bell); MR GRATWICKE’s ch.c. Needful (W. Cotton); MR FORTH’s br.c. The Ashstead Pet (Boyce); MR HERBERT’s ch.c. (Elis – Delightful) (Sly); LORD GLASGOW’s b.c. (Velocipede – Amulet) (Hesseltine); MR GREGORY’s b.c. Loadstone (S. Darling); LORD WESTMINSTER’s bl.c. Lancet (S.Templeman); MR ST PAUL’s b.c. Telemachus (J. Marson); MR F. ONGLEY’s br.c. King of the Gipsies (Marlow); MR M. JONES’s br.g. British Tar (M. Jones); MR CUTHBERT’s b.c. Beaufront (J.Howlett); LORD MAIDSTONE’s b.c. Cockmaroo (Simpson); MR DIXON’s ch.c. Dick Thornton (Darling, Jun.); MR THORNHILL’s ch.c. Elemi (S. Chifney, Jun.); MR A.WOOD’s b.c. Running Rein (S. Mann), finished first but was later disqualified.

29 ran

Running Rein won by three-quarters of a length; nearly two lengths between Orlando and Ionian.

Winner bred by Owner and trained by Mr Cooper at Newmarket.

Betting: 5-2 The Ugly Buck; 3-1 Ratan; 10-1 Running Rein; 14-1 Leander; 15-1 Ionian; 20-1 Orlando, Akbar, Qui Tam and Bay Momus.

For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

THE DORLINGS OF EPSOM

William Dorling and his descendents governed the administration of Epsom Racecourse for the best part of two centuries.

The story begins with William (pictured below), born in Ipswich in 1776, then later moveing to Bexhill in Sussex to set up business there as a printer. Married to Lucy Welby, they had six children, the first, Henry in 1806, who, when old enough, was sent by William on a seven-year apprenticeship to a printer in London to learn the trade.

Around 1820, William moved his business to Epsom, where after printing almanacs and hymn books, he quickly, established himself as a bookseller in Epsom High Street, until famously, on Derby Day 1827, he produced Dorling’s Genuine Card List. This, the original racecard, gave details of the runners and their pedigrees, their owners, jockeys and colours together with the probable odds. It was an instant success with the racegoers.

William’s involvement in the production of the Lists brought him into contact with racing’s grandees and both he and his son Henry attended the inaugural meeting of the Epsom Grandstand Association in 1830, where he bought shares in the organization.

Henry married his first wife Emily Clarke in September 1834. Emily, a proud and strong willed woman, had four children, the first, Henry Mayson in 1835, who inherited the traits of his mother. Tragically, five years later Emily died when only 29.

Meanwhile, Henry’s friend Benjamin Mayson, a linen merchant, had married Elizabeth Jurrum in April 1835 and set up home near Cheapside in the City of London. They also had four children, the first, Isabella, born on 12 March 1836, of whom we will hear more of later.

In 1839, Henry became the first Clerk of the Course at Epsom and later held that position at Brighton. Now, whereas the Dorling’s “Correct Card” had brought him in contact with jockeys and trainers, he now had the opportunity to meet owners. Notably, he made a friend of Lord George Bentinck, a partnership that held out hope to reform racing from the grip of the underworld.

At Gretna Green in March 1843, Henry married Elizabeth Mayson, the widow of his best friend Benjamin Mayson. Like his first wife, Elizabeth had a dominant and forceful personality, which came to the fore when the couple returned to Epsom to start their married life with eight children between them. Undeterred at the prospect, they augmented the family with 13 more. Throughout this time, conveniently, William was the Registrar of Births and Deaths in Epsom and Henry the Deputy Registrar.

The Preliminary Canter

In 1845, with the Epsom Grandstand running at a loss, Henry came up with two proposals which after support from Lord George Bentinck and negotiations with the Grand Stand Association Committee put the racecourse back on a sure footing.

The first, was that all races be saddled in front of the Grandstand, as at Ascot and Goodwood; this in consideration of adding £300 to the prize fund and making improvements to the lawn and accommodation in the Grandstand. Previously, saddling had taken place in ‘The Warren’, where the horses surrounded by well wishers often prevented the jockeys finding their mounts, so causing considerable delays. The move became an instant success, insuring a packed Grandstand of 5,000, in order to see what was popularly known as ‘The Preliminary Canter’.

In order to carry out the first, Henry Dorling’s second proposal was that he leased the Racecourse from the Association for 21 years at a rate of £1,000 per annum.

On the acceptance of his proposal he moved his family into the vast building.

The Grandstand, fitted out and redecorated for the visit of Queen Victoria in 1840, had numerous rooms and kitchens, enabling the family to live in comfort, although in winter it was often very draughty and cold. During the race meetings the children were conveniently packed off to enjoy the seaside at Brighton.  In 1848, as Clerk of the Course, Henry laid out a new start to the Derby from Langley Bottom, now clearly visible from the Grandstand.

Always the entrepreneur, Henry, made the most of his lease, installing a new printing press in the basement of the Grandstand, to supply the shop in the High Street run by his father William and his sister Lucy, until William retired in 1851 and died in 1858.

On a more cheerful note, with so many children running about even the Grand Stand could be noisy at times, leading to Henry’s remark:

“For heaven’s sake Elizabeth, what is all that noise about?”

Elizabeth, his wife, famously replied.

“That Henry, is your children and my children fighting our children.”

In 1846 a new race was introduced, the “Great Metropolitan Handicap” or “The Publicans Derby” so called because at first the prize money was put up by the London publicans, many of whose pubs were used as betting shops. This was so successful that another race was introduced in 1851 called the “City and Suburban” with prize money coming from the public houses in the suburbs.

Throughout this time, the large family living in the Grandstand were assisted by Elizabeth’s oldest child, Isabella, who helped maintain the discipline among the younger family. A well educated young woman, she was an accomplished pianist and eventually moved to Heidelberg in Germany to study music and languages. It was whilst there, she learnt how to bake and make pastries, until returning to Epsom in 1854.

In 1856 she married Samuel Orchart Beeton, a wealthy publisher and began to write articles on cooking and household management for her husband’s publications. The first instalment of her famous Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management was published in 1861. It was an immediate success, selling over 60,000 copies in its first year of publication and nearly two million by 1868.  Sadly, she died of a fever soon after giving birth to her fourth child when aged 28.

Returning to Henry, now playing up his prosperity in 1851, he moved his family from the Grandstand into Ormonde House, a substantial property at the eastern end of Epsom High Street able to accommodate his large family together with his lending library and printing business.

Coming to the end of 1866, Henry relinquished the lease on the Grandstand and became joint managing director of the EGSA with Francis Knowles. Then moving up again, took his family to a 12-acre mansion known as Stroud Green House in Croydon.

Sadly, Elizabeth died in her Croydon home in 1871, followed by Henry two years later. His mission accomplished, Henry’s persuasive manner and personal charm had now left the Grand Stand Association in a healthy financial position.

Following Henry’s death, his son Henry Mayson, succeeded his father as Clerk of the Course and later became Chairman and Joint Managing Director of the Course. Known as “The Dictator of Epsom Races” he was aware of what others thought of him, perversely

agreeing by saying: “Everyone hates me and I like it”

A gruff, but dedicated man, in 1919, on the day of his final Derby, he was up at 4 am distributing the Dorling’s ‘correct card’ that he had helped finished printing the night before.

In a sudden turn of events, on 29 September, when seriously ill, he travelled to Brighton to marry Blanche Maud Flear, 50 years his junior; a relationship he had kept secret for many years.

Henry died on 12 November, aged 84, at his home ‘The Birches’, Epsom and was buried with his late parents on 15 November 1919. His will, however, proved controversial, for although he left the printing office and some shares to his nephew, Edward Earle Dorling (1863-1943) and a good number of shares to the Dorling family, 97% of his wealth, amounting to almost £3 million today, went to Blanche.

Edward, who continued Henry Mayson’s work on the racecourse, was a priest of the Church of England and former Headmaster of the Cathedral School in Salisbury, was also an archaeologist, historian, and writer on heraldry, designing the arms for Girton College, Cambridge.

The popular press, of course, enjoyed a field day with headlines such as “Vicar to run Epsom Racecourse.”  Edward, took over as General Manager of the Epsom Grand Stand Association in 1920, while the formidable, Charles Langlands, a prominent surveyor, became Clerk of the Course and in 1926, Chairman of the  Epsom Grand Stand Association; his signature gracing the cover of the racecard until his retirement after the 1953 “Coronation Derby.”

At which point I find it appropriate to bring to an end the dynasty of the Dorlings – a family with the foresight and passion to leave the racing world a lasting legacy.

For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

Dennis O’Kelly – The Man behind Eclipse

 Dennis O’Kelly was born around 1720, a legitimate son of Philip O’Kelly of Tullow in County Carlow, Ireland.

To get away from his family’s frugal existence, he came to London at the age of  25  in the hope of improving his situation.

Described by a contemporary, O’Kelly was:“A short, thick-set, dark, harsh-visaged and ruffian-looking fellow”, yet with “the ease, the agremens, the manners of a gentleman and the attractive quaintness of a humorist. “

 Another witness added:

 “His voice, the very reverse of melody, not only assailed , but wounded the ear . . .the broadest and most offensive brogue his nation ever produced.”

In due course, O’Kelly, already an opportunist, found work as a sedan chairman and from this station slowly made inroads into society. It is recorded that, on the occasion of George II’s birthday reception, he carried Lady Blank from the top of St James’s Street to the Palace for a guinea, and was later employed by her as a regular chairman. But as O’Kelly’s fortune ebbed and flowed, we next hear of him as a billiards marker in a smart London club, from where gambling led him to Fleet Prison for debt. In prison, he scratched a living by carrying beer to the inmates; for this, together with his jovial manner, the elected ‘King’ of the prisoners gave him the courtesy title of ‘Count’.

Whilst in the Fleet, O’Kelly met up with Charlotte Hayes, a woman with a notorious reputation. Together they formed a relationship that wove itself into society, providing O’Kelly with a network of contacts throughout the racing world.

The death of George II in London on 25 October, 1760, saw Dennis and Charlotte pardoned from their sentences and, soon after their release, with financial support from Charlotte, he purchased an ensigncy in the Westminster Regiment of the Middlesex Militia. Through courage and initiative, O’Kelly gradually worked his way up to Lieutenant-Colonel, and to celebrate his new rank he put on a ‘splendid entertainment’, attended by Lord Derby and many of the nobility of Lancashire.

In time, the success of Eclipse at stud profited Dennis O’Kelly in excess of £25,000. This enabled him in later years to live a life of style, either entertaining friends at his Cannons Park estate at Stanmore, Middlesex, (previously owned by the Duke of Chandos), or at his stables and stud at Clay Hill, near Epsom.

It was at Clay Hill Stud that he stood Eclipse and two of his sons, Dungannon and Volunteer. In addition he kept around 50 mares, including the famous Tartar mare, who when put to Eclipse produced ten chestnut foals: five colts, including Mercury and Volunteer, and five fillies including Queen Mab.

O’Kelly  also  kept  a  house  at  the  corner  of  Half-Moon  Street  and  Piccadilly; in later years this  became  the  home  of Charlotte  Hayes  in  the  company  of O’Kelly’s celebrated parrot “Polley” .

Hatched in Bristol, “Polley”, was the first parrot born in Britain. It  cost  O’Kelly  50  guineas  and  was  reported  by  an  eye  witness to “not only repeat everything it was commanded, but it would answer many questions, which appeared to require a higher degree of perception “. As well as this, it could on request, ‘sing a variety of tunes with exquisite melody ‘. Listed in the Dictionary of National Biography it reported that it “whistled the 104th Psalm and was among parrots what Eclipse was among racehorses “.

 Polley, a constant source of amusement to visitors to Half-Moon Street, died in October 1802, from “a purging and Bloody Flox”. It was later stuffed, returned to Half-Moon Street and, continued to be visited as a curio.

Dennis O’Kelly died of gout on 28 December, 1787, at his house in Piccadilly. Charlotte Hayes assumed the name of Mrs O’Kelly and lived to the age of 85.

Racing  in  the  18th  century  was  far  from  straight  and  according to a contemporary historian it was only O’Kelly’s  hard work and concentration that,“enabled him to counteract the various and almost incredible deceptions then in constant practice in the sporting world”.

Moreover, his anticipation and perception of events were frequently referred to as “the luck of the Irish”. However,  for  all  his  success , Dennis O’Kelly  carried  one  grievance  to  the  grave – the continual  refusal of the Jockey Club to admit him as a member. The prejudice  against  him  must  have been very strong, for almost any other top society owner of a horse as great as Eclipse would have been welcomed. Nor did it stop there, for many of the nobility and gentry preferred to take their mares to Herod, rather than deal in “the rough and ready ways” of O’Kelly for the services of Eclipse. In consequence, Eclipse was never Champion Sire, although he was second 11 times between 1778 and 1788 inclusive.

 Eclipse died of colic at Cannons, in Middlesex, on 27 February, 1789.

No racehorse has achieved greater fame or left a more lasting legacy. Now, more than two and a quarter centuries after his death, 97% of all modern thoroughbreds trace back to him in male line.

Whatever the failings of Dennis O’Kelly, the ongoing world of racing and breeding owes him a tremendous debt. His management of Eclipse’s racing and stud career were handled with both wisdom and patience, sometimes in difficult circumstances.

Now, 235  years after  his  death, his name is still mentioned in the same breath as the legend of the horse he once owned .

   For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

Trained on Epsom Downs

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ECLIPSE

Part One

On Wednesday, 3 May 1769, the third day of Epsom’s six-day meeting, Eclipse ran his first race in the Nobleman and Gentleman’s Plate. This, a typical competition for the time, was open to five and six-year-olds and run in four-mile heats. Between heats, 30 minutes would be allowed for the ‘rubbing down’ of horses and the Plate would be awarded to the winner of two heats. If the race needed three heats to decide and had three different winners, a further heat would be run. Any horse that was a distance (240 yards) behind a heat winner would be eliminated, the rules also stipulating, that any jockey who “shall or do, whip or lay hold of any rider, his horse, saddle or bridle”, would be regarded as being distanced.

To set the scene, races in the mid-eighteenth century horses rarely ran before they were four years old. The most prestigious events were the King’s Plates. Eighteen were contested in 1769, with three being at Newmarket. These were usually run in heats over four miles for horses not older than six and carried a prize of 100 guineas.

At this time, there were 92 racecourses operating in Britain. Newmarket held ten meetings a year, while the others would host only one or two. Meetings often began on the Monday and continued through to Saturday. The number of races run each day would vary, but often there would be three, interspersed with cock-fighting and, on occasions, bare-knuckle boxing.

For his debut, Eclipse, then a five-year-old, carried 8st 7lb, while the six-year-olds carried 9st 3lb; the value to winner was £50. In opposition to Eclipse were two five-year-olds, Gower and Tryal and two six-year-olds, Chance and Plume.

Significantly, before Eclipse ran his first race, Dennis O’Kelly, an Irish adventurer, had purchased both a house and stables situated on Epsom Racecourse, these were between the future first mile and a half Derby start and the present one, (See stables marked on map below). Local news of Eclipse having preceded him, forced his odds in to a skimpy 1-4, although O’Kelly had previously made a large wager at a better price.

In the first heat, Jack Oakley, as planned, allowed Eclipse to go on as he pleased, sitting quietly in the saddle, while making no attempt to hold him up. Eclipse taking an early lead, then drew further away from the opposition.

Before the second heat, O’Kelly, made two large bets at 6-4 and Evens, that he could forecast the correct order of all five runners. To the surprise of the layers, when asked for the order he replied “Eclipse first, the rest nowhere”, implying, Eclipse had to finish a distance (240 yards) ahead of all his rivals.

The second heat off and running, all five runners were grouped closely together at the three-mile post, then Oakley let Eclipse draw away to fulfil what has become a famous racing prophecy.

The birth of Eclipse was entirely in keeping with the legend he was to become.

Foaled at noon on Sunday, 1 April, 1764, in a paddock near Cranbourne Tower in Windsor Great Park, his birth coincided with an annular eclipse – an eclipse of the sun in which the moon, seen projected on the solar disc, leaves a golden ring of light visable. Writers of the day called it “The Great Eclipse”.

The breeder of Eclipse was William, Duke of Cumberland (1721-65), the second surviving son of George II. A professional soldier, Cumberland was a Major-General at the age of 22 and, in the company of his father, was seriously wounded when defeating the French at Dettingen in Bavaria, this the last battle where an English king was present.

In 1745, Cumberland was promoted to Captain­ General of the allied army in Flanders and, the following year, defeated “Bonnie Prince Charlie,” the Young Pretender, at Culloden Moor, Inverness. So severe was his crushing of the Stuart rebellion that he gained the nickname Butcher Cumberland. However, in 1757, when head of a Hanoverian army, he was defeated by the French at Hastenbeck, after which he resigned all his military commands.

Cumberland, a dedicated and ruthless soldier, now transferred his passion to the Turf. Already an early member of the Jockey Club and the only royal member (his colours were all purple), he took up the position of Ranger of Windsor Forest, where, from his Cumberland Lodge residence, he set up his Windsor Forest Stud.

Within seven years he had bred the two most influential racehorses in the history of thoroughbred breeding – Herod (b.c. 1758), the eight-time Champion Sire 1777-1784 and Eclipse.

The sire and dam of Eclipse were both in the ownership of the Duke of Cumberland at the time of their mating. Spilletta (b.f. 1749), was a good-looking daughter of the eight-time Champion Sire, Regulus and purchased by the Duke from Sir Robert Eden. Beaten in her only race at Newmarket in 1754, she was later sent to the Duke’s Stud. Altogether, she produced five foals before her death in 1776, incl. Proserpine (b.f. 1766) and Garrick (ch.c.1772) also by Marske.

Although just below top class, Marske won three times, his most notable victory coming in the Jockey Club Plate, when, as a four-year-old he beat Brilliant over Newmarket’s Round Course (3 miles, 6 furlongs and 93 yards). However, at Newmarket in 1756, when twice matched against the future Champion Sire, Snap, he was beaten both times.

Before the Duke’s death, Marske was considered of little value as a stallion, commanding only a half-guinea fee, and at the subsequent dispersal sale, he was sold to a Dorset farmer for a trifling sum. However, also attending the sale was William Wildman, a large-scale grazier and meat salesman at Leadenhall Market, who raced for a hobby, keeping a small stud at Mickleham in Surrey. On his arrival, he found that Eclipse had been sold for 70 guineas before the advertised time of the sale. His forthright objection caused the lot to be put up again and this time Wildman secured Eclipse for 75 guineas.

Mindful of the Dorset farmer after Eclipse’s sensational victory at Epsom, Wildman, paid him a visit, and on the exchange of £20, returned home with the sire of Eclipse. Thereafter, the success of Eclipse boosted Marske’s popularity and he went on to become Champion Sire in 1775 and 1776. Finally purchased by Lord Abingdon, he stood at his Rycot Stud in Oxfordshire, for the then enormous fee of 100 guineas. Marske died in July 1779, aged 29 years, having sired the winners of 352 races.

Mr Wildman, realising he had obtained a bargain, decided to allow Eclipse time to mature. Of some concern, however, was the horse’s temper, at one time so bad, that Wildman considered having him gelded. However, after due consideration, he sent him to George Elton (or Ellers), a ‘rough-rider’ near Epsom, who rode him about all day and occasionally throughout the night to quieten him down. Although the horse was never vicious, he always kept his fiery temper and, at this stage, Wildman’s first priority was to find a patient jockey. Jack Oakley fitted the bill and was engaged to ride Eclipse in almost all his races.

Part Two

A chestnut horse with a white blaze and a white stocking on his off-hind leg, Eclipse grew to be a magnificent horse, measuring 15.3 hands at the withers. This at a time when very few horses reached 15 hands and Lord Rockingham’s Sampson (1745) by Blaze was recorded at 15.2 hands as “the largest-boned bloodhorse ever bred”.

Other contemporaries complete the picture:  Mr John Lawrence, who saw Eclipse and later published a “History and Delineation of the Horse” in 1809, said of him:

“When I first saw him, he appeared in high health, of a robust constitution, and to promise long life. I paid particular attention to his shoulder, which, according to the common notion, was in truth very thick, but very extensive and well placed”.

“His hindquarters and croup appeared higher than this forehand; and in his gallop it was said no horse ever threw his haunches with greater effect, his agility and stride being on a par, from his fortunate conformation in every part and his uncommon strength”.

   “He had considerable length of waist and stood over a great deal of ground, in which particular he was of the opposite form to Flying Childers, a short-backed, compact horse, whose reach laid in his lower limbs . . . Eclipse was thick-winded , and breathed hard and loud in his exercise . . . “

Mr William Percival, a noted veterinary surgeon and lecturer, wrote:

“He was a big horse, in every sense of the word, tall in stature, lengthy and capacious in body, and large in his limbs. For a big horse his head was small and partook of the Arabian character; his neck was unusually long; his shoulder was strong, sufficiently oblique, and although not remarkable for, not deficient in depth. His chest was circular; he rose very little on his withers, being higher behind than before; his back was lengthy and over the loins roached; his quarters were straight square and extended ; his limbs were lengthy and broad, and his joints large; in particular his arms and thighs were long and muscular, and his knees and hocks broad and well formed .”

To keep his exceptional race-record alive, following Eclipse first heats at Epsom, he next ran at Ascot on 29 May, again in a Noblemen and Gentlemen’s Plate worth £50, but this time in two-mile heats. Only Mr Fettyplace’s five-year-old bay horse Cream de Barbale opposed him, with both carrying 9st 3lb. The betting was long odds-on Eclipse, who duly won both heats. Shortly afterwards Dennis O’Kelly bought a half-share in  him for 650 guineas, although for betting purposes Eclipse  continued  to  run  in Wildman’s name.

On 13 June, Eclipse won his first King’s Plate. Run at Winchester, in four-mile heats for six-year-olds (horses a year younger were permitted to run, but all carried 12st. 0lb). Eclipse won both heats and the 100 guinea-prize, beating Slouch, Chigger  and  Juba,  with  O’Kelly’s  other runner, Caliban,  and  Bailey’s  Clanvil  both  distanced in the first  heat.  Two   days  later  at  the  same  meeting, Eclipse  walked  over  for  the   City  Plate,  winning  a  further £50.

On 28 June, Eclipse walked- over for a King’s Plate at Salisbury and the following day ran two four-mile heats for the City Plate at the same venue. The conditions of the race required horses of all ages to carry 10st 0lb. Eclipse, starting at odds of 1-8, attracted opposition from Mr Fettyplace’s Sulphur (7-y-o) and Mr Taylor’s Forrester (6-y-o). Forrester was distanced in the first heat and Eclipse beat Sulphur comfortably in both heats.

On 25 July, at Canterbury, Eclipse walked over for the King’s Plate and two days later travelled to Lewes, where, ridden by John Whiting, he defeated Mr Strode’s Kingston in two four-mile heats for the King’s Plate, conceding a year at 12st 0lb.

Eclipse did not race again until 19 September, when he took on Mr Freeth’s Tardy for the King’s Plate in two three-mile heats for five-year-olds at Lichfield. He won both heats at odds of 1-7.

The following year, Eclipse reappeared in a match against Mr Wentworth’s Bucephalus at Newmarket on 17 April. At this time, horses did not officially age one year until 1 May, so both competitors were recorded as five-year-olds. Bucephalus was one of the cracks of his day and Wentworth put up 400 guineas against Wildman’s 600, with the general betting also 4-6 Eclipse.

The match was to be one heat over the Beacon Course of 4 miles 1 furlong, 138 yards, each carrying 8st 7lb. Bucephalus certainly made Eclipse gallop, but he couldn’t beat him and his heroic effort took its toll, for he never raced again. Dennis O’Kelly now persuaded Wildman to sell his remaining half-share for 1,100 guineas and when  Eclipse  reappeared  two days later for Newmarket’s King’s Plate over the four-mile Round Course, he did so in O’Kelly’s colours of scarlet with a black cap.

Eclipse was opposed by Mr Strode’s five-year-old Pensioner, and  two  six-year-olds – the Duke  of Grafton’s Chigger and Mr  Fenwick ‘s bay  mare  Diana, a  previous  winner  of King’s Plates at York, Lincoln and Newmarket. All carried 12st.0lb.

In the first heat, Eclipse beat (in order) Diana, Pensioner and Chigger. Diana and Chigger withdrew from the second heat and the opening betting of 1-10 Eclipse was revised to 6-4 Eclipse to distance Pensioner, which he did easily.

Eclipse now walked over for three King’s Plates: at Guildford on 5 June, Nottingham on 3 July and at York, with S. Merriott aboard on 20 August. Three days later at York, Eclipse turned out for the Great Subscription – one four-mile heat for six-year-olds and upwards, with a value to the winner of £319.10s. He was opposed by two notable horses: Mr Wentworth’s eight-year-old Tortoise and Sir Charles Bunbury’s seven-year­old, Bellario.

Eclipse, now six years old, received 7lb from the other two and was made favourite at 1-20. There was also much interest in taking 4-7 that Tortoise beat Bellario. Eclipse, with Merriott up once more, despatched the opposition, while Tortoise repaid his supporters by beating Bellario.

Jack Oakley returned to the saddle for Eclipse’s final three races. The first, a walk-over for the King’s Plate at Lincoln on 3 September, followed, a month later, by a 150 guineas  plate at Newmarket, run in one heat over the Beacon Course. Here the sole opposition came from Sir Charles Bunbury’s five-year-old Corsican, who, at level weights, proved no match for Eclipse, as the betting of 1-70 had indicated. The following day, 4 October, 1770, Eclipse walked over for a King’s Plate at Newmarket.

He had then been due to meet Goldfinder, a six-year­ old colt by Snap, who had earned a high reputation, previously winning a Cup and 2,000 guineas at Newmarket. Sadly, his intended rival broke down the day before the race.

After two seasons, Eclipse had won 18 races, including 11 King’s Plates, and had retired unbeaten .The opponents were no longer there, and if a horse had occasionally challenged, obtaining odds better than 1-20 would have been difficult.  Instead he was retired to O’Kelly’s Clay Hill Stud, near Epsom where his fee was set at 50 guineas. Although it took time, together with Herod, they changed the face of thoroughbred  breeding.

For more history of Eclipse see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

To see Michael’s interviews go to the foot of About Michael

The Origins of Racing at Epsom

Part One

Strangely, the events that led up to the foundation of the Derby started in the dry summer of 1618, when a humble herdsman, Henry Wicker, stumbled across a small hole full of water on the common, to the north-west of the turnpike road, between Epsom and Ashtead.

To Wicker’s amazement, after enlarging the hole in order to water his cattle, they refused to drink. And when he sampled it, neither would he. Some months later, samples of the water were examined by local physicians, who deemed it aluminous and recommended it for external use on cuts and sores. It was not until about 1830 that the highly purgative qualities of the water were discovered; this quite by chance, when a group of labourers drank deeply from the spring.

Epsom’s old wells

While at first knowledge of the waters remained local, word soon travelled to wealthy Londoners, whose appreciation of the remedy eventually brought patronage from the nobility of England, with Epsom then rivalling Tunbridge Wells for its famed cures.

John Toland, the famous religious writer noted, “Since it hath been inwardly taken, diseases have met with their cure, though they proceed from contrary causes.” He also observed that citizens of London arriving “from the worst of smokes to the best of airs”, quickly found themselves restored to perfect health. Very soon, the waters were amongst the most analysed substances in England (one gallon of water containing 480 grains of calcareous nitre), with entrepreneurs extracting and selling what became known as Epsom Salts at extravagant prices – five shillings an ounce being recorded in 1640.

Samuel Pepys wrote in his diary of 1667, “We got to Epsom by 8 a-clock to the Well, where much company; and there we light and I drank the water; they did not, but do go about and walk a little among the women, but I did drink four pints and had some very good stools by it.” Later he visited the King’s Head, the nearest inn to the Downs, “where our coachman carried us; and there had an ill room for us to go into, but the best in the house that was not taken up; here we called for drink and a bespoke dinner. And hear that my Lord Buckhurst and Nelly (Nell Gwynne, the King’s mistress), is lodged at the next house, and keeps a merry house.”

Lord Buckhurst was described by Beauclerk as, “Cultured, witty, satirical, dissolute, and utterly charming”. Pepys reports the news on 13 July: “[Mr. Pierce tells us] Lord Buckhurst hath got Nell away from the King’s house, lies with her, and gives her £100 a year, so she hath sent her parts to the house, and will act no more.” However, Beauclerk later informs us “Nell Gwynne was acting once more in late August, and her brief affair with Buckhurst had ended.”

Pepys, himself was enamoured with Nell Gwynne and kept this Richard Thomson engraving of her as Cupid c.1672, above his desk at the Admiralty.

By the year 1690, after the many improvements made by Mr Parkhurst, Lord of the Manor, the village of Epsom had grown into a thriving town, and the humble shed originally erected for the convenience of invalids had now been replaced by a sumptuous ballroom.

 Henry Pownall, in his History of Epsom, published in 1825, said, “It became the centre of fashion; several houses were erected for lodgings, and yet the place would not contain all the visitors, many of whom were obliged to seek for accommodation in the neighbouring villages. Taverns, at that time reputed to be the largest in England, were opened; sedan chairs and numbered coaches attended.  There was a public breakfast with dancing and music, every morning at the wells. There was also a (betting) ring as in Hyde Park; and on the downs, races were held daily at noon; with cudgelling and wrestling matches, foot races etc., in the afternoon. The evenings were usually spent in private parties, assemblies or cards; and may we add, that neither Bath nor Tunbridge ever boasted of more noble visitors than Epsom, or exceeded it in its splendour, at the time we are describing.”

The earliest indications of horseracing on Banstead (Epsom) Downs are in the 1640’s. In mid-May 1648, during the throes of the Civil War, the Earl of Clarendon in his History of the Rebellion relates, “a meeting of the royalists was held on Banstead Downs, under the pretence of a horse race, and six hundred horses were collected and marched to Reigate.”

This suggests that for such an undercover rendezvous to take place racing at Epsom must have been a regular and well-attended occasion. Under the Commonwealth (1649-60), horseracing was banned, but upon its demise, the first recorded race meeting in the country took place at Epsom on 7 March, 1661, in the presence of Charles II.

Two years later, on 27 May, Pepys wrote in his diary, “This day there was a great thronging to Banstead Downes, upon a great horse race and a foot race; I am sorry I could not go thither.”

 Part Two

For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

In 1865, after Gladiateur became the first French horse to win the Derby, he was heralded in France as ‘The Avenger of Waterloo’.

Gladiateur was bred by his owner Comte Frederic de Lagrange, a son of one of Napoleon’s generals who had inherited a fortune from his father.

Although trodden on as a foal, causing an enlargement in one of the joints of his off-foreleg, Gladiateur’s real problem was navicular disease, which caused intermittent lameness throughout his racing career. He almost certainly inherited this from his dam Miss Gladiator, who was a cripple and could not be trained. His sire, however, was the talented French Triple Crown winner Monarque.

Trained at Newmarket by Tom Jennings, Gladiateur’s two-year-old campaign comprised three races there in October. He made a winning debut in the Clearwell Stakes, beating the useful Joker by a length, then three days later he ran a disappointing dead-heat for third in the Prendergast Stakes. Finally, he ran unplaced in the Criterion Stakes while suffering from a cough.

The following year he became increasingly lame and had to be blistered on both forelegs. However, the Two Thousand Guineas, run later than usual, allowed Jennings valuable time and despite the colt going to post only half-fit he managed to win in a desperate finish, beating Archimedes by a neck with Liddington a further neck away third.

Before the Derby, Gladiateur ran an amazing trial on the Limekilns over one and a half miles, giving Fille de l’Air, the previous year’s Oaks winner and successful in six races that season, 8lb and two other four-year-olds 35lb each. He beat them all with consummate ease.

After that, the Derby became a formality, and Gladiateur cut through a large field from the distance to win easily by two lengths.

Soon afterwards Gladiateur left for Paris where, amid scenes of national fervour, he won the Grand Prix de Paris over one mile, seven furlongs from Vertugadin and Tourmalet. On returning to England he won two races at Goodwood, one a walk-over, before suffering a further bout of lameness.

Although Gladiateur lined up the 8-13 favourite for the St Leger and appeared to win with ease, his great courage carried him through on three legs.

     Gladiateur’s Triple Crown

Three further victories, at Doncaster, Longchamp and Newmarket, preceded his final race of the year in the Cambridgeshire, in which he ran unplaced to Gardevisure trying to concede 52lb in a field of 36.

The following season Gladiateur’s legs were worse than ever but despite this, he went over to Paris to win the Grand Prix de l’Imperatrice over three miles one furlong, and a week later, Le Coupe over two miles. He then returned to England to win the Ascot Gold Cup by 40 lengths; for many years this was considered to be the finest performance ever seen on a racecourse.

Finally, Gladiateur revisited Paris to win the Grand Prix de l’Empereur over nearly four miles to beat his old rival Vertugadin easily by 3 lengths, the other two contenders having bolted at the start.

Henry Grimshaw (1841-1866), rode Gladiateur in all three races of his Triple Crown. Born in Lancashire, Henry was apprenticed to John Howe Osborne senior, therefter marrying one of his daughters. In 1859 he won the Cambridgeshire for the Osbourne stable on Red Eagle, carrying 5st 9lb. Short sighted from an early age he occasionally relied on fellow jockey’s telling him where he was in the race. Sadly, he was killed on 4 October, 1866, when his trap overturned in the dark when driving home to Newmarket.

Tom Jennings (1823-1900), trainer of Gladiateur, served his apprenticeship in Chantilly under the eye of his relative Thomas Carter. In 1843, as stable jockey to his elder brother, Henry Jennings, he won the Prix de Diane on Nativa. However, after a serious family disagreement, he packed his bags to train in Northern Italy. In 1851, he returned to France to train for Comte Frederic de Lagrange, and won the 1864 Oaks for him with Fille de l’Air. At Royal Ascot in 1878, he completed a unique treble by training Verneuil to win the Gold Cup, Gold Vase and Alexandra Plate. While in public life, he was instrumental in the building of Newmarket’s two hospitals and the local waterworks.

Gladiateur, clearly one of the all-time greats, retired to the Middle Park Stud at a fee of 100 guineas, but proved a disappointment and died of chronic navicular disease in January 1876.

Nevertheless, he remains the only horse to have won the Triple Crown and the Grand Prix de Paris, and is commemorated by a life-size bronze statute at Longchamp.

For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

To see Michael’s interviews go to the foot of About Michael

The 3rd Earl of Egremont

George O’Brien Wyndham

(1751-1837)

A highly respected and immensely wealthy man, Lord Egremont was said to give away £20,000 a year to charitable causes.

He was an enthusiastic patron of art and the painter William Turner, lived for a while at his Sussex seat of Petworth House.

Although Lord Egremont had more than 40 children, the only legitimate one died in infancy and so he was succeeded in the earldom by his nephew George Wyndham, who became 4^th Earl of Egremont.

Successful on the turf, he bred six Derby winners: Assassin (1782), Hannibal (1804), Cardinal Beaufort (1805), Election (1807), Lapdog (1806) and Spaniel (1831).

He also bred six winners of the Oaks: Nightshade (1788), Tag (1789), Hippolyta (1790), Platina (1795), Ephemera (1800), and Caroline (1820).

His final Classic winner was Spaniel, (see below), a bay colt by the 1810 Derby winner, Whalebone, out of a Daughter of Canopus.

REFERRED to as “the little Whalebone weed”, Spaniel was sold by Lord Egremont to Lord Lowther for £150 over the dinner table. He was a brother to Lord Egremont’s fifth Derby winner Lap-dog, but despite this promising pedigree he appeared to have few if any Classic pretensions after a two-year-old career involving four defeats in as many starts for trainer Joe Rogers.

Two days before the Derby, Spaniel won the Shirley Stakes over the Epsom Mile and it was decided that he should take his chance in the big race. He started at 50-1; the 4-6 favourite was Lord Jersey’s Riddlesworth, a well-bred colt who had won the Riddlesworth Stakes, the Two Thousand Guineas and the Newmarket Stakes.

At the distance Riddlesworth looked to have the race at his mercy. But under the vigorous driving of Wheatley, Spaniel joined Riddlesworth 50 yards from home and after a brief struggle won by three-quarters of a length.

Although Spaniel’s captivating performance was never repeated, when sold to Mr Meyrick, he picked up £50 plates at Haverfordwest, Carmarthen and Brecon. Spaniel did not race again until late-August 1832, where at Canterbury he finished badly lame and was put down.

Mysteriously, just how many of Egremont’s Classic winners were, as suggested, actually four-year-olds remains unknown. His trainer, Bird, confessed on his deathbed that he had twice won the Derby by slipping two-year-olds into the yearling paddocks. The secret well kept, Lord Egremont remained unaware of his trainer’s deception.

In his day, the Earl, although blunt and eccentric, was a popular and prominent figure in English society.

After the cessation of the Earl’s popular race meeting held in his Petworth Park, the 3^rd Duke of Richmond began racing at Goodwood from 1801.

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