Yorkshire Racing & Breeding History
Recent ~ 20th Century ~ 19th Century ~ Early History

Year Event
1800 Champion, trained by T.Perren, becomes the first southern horse to win the St.Leger. In these early days of horse racing transport was obviously a major problem and this also explains the lack of Yorkshire winners in the early classics as Newmarket and Epsom. Indeed it is oft said that it took Tom Dawson three months to walk Pretender from Middleham to Epsom, prior to his triumph in 1869, although as he also won the 2000 Guineas he must have gone via Newmarket, so the story can perhaps be taken with a pinch of salt!
1801 Sledmere Stud, one of the most important thoroughbred nurseries of the last 200 years is founded by Sir Tatton Sykes.
1805 Staveley, bred by William Fletcher at Minskip near Boroughbridge, lands the St Leger. The following year he won a match race at Newmarket against Derby winner Cardinal Beaufort.
1808 Petronius, trained at Middleham by W.Theakston wins the St.Leger
1809 Ashton, trained at Middleham by W.Theakston wins the St.Leger
1813 Squire Watt of Bishop Burton (nr.Beverley) wins the St.Leger with home bred Altisidora, trained by T.Sykes
1814 William, trained at Middleham by W.Theakston, wins the St.Leger
1815 Filho da Puta, trained at Middleham by James Croft, wins the St.Leger.
1816 The Duchess, trained at Middleham by James Croft, wins the St.Leger.
1817 The famous Ebor, trained at Catterick by J.Lonsdale, wins the St.Leger
1818 Mr.Heny Peirse's (of Bedale) homebred Reveller, trained at Catterick by J.Lonsdale, wins the St.Leger. Mr.Peirse also bred the second (who he also still owned), third and fourth home, even more incredibly they were all sons of the same stallion, Como, who stood near Bedale.
1819 Antonio trained at Catterick (at what is now the Bridge pub!) by J.Lonsdale wins the St.Leger. The local stewards ordered a rerun which Antonio didn't compete in, but this was later overrulled by the Jockey Club, so Antonio was officially named the winner.
1820 St.Patrick , trained at Catterick by J.Lonsdale, wins the St.Leger, the trainers fourth success in as many years.
1821 Easby Abbey, near Catterick is painted by J.M.W. Turner. Owned by Mr.Robert Jacques this was one of the leading studs of the 19th Century. Mr.Jacques was also largely responsible for formalising racing at York.
1822 James Croft (born locally at East Witton), of Middleham, trained the first four home in the St.Leger (Theodore, Violet, Professor and Corinthian). These were his only runners in the race which had a field of 23. A memorial stone to commemorate the occasion is still outside his yard (see right), Glasgow House, now occupied by Chris Fairhurst and built by Lord Glasgow in 1800.

Memorial stone at Glasgow House. Click for a larger image.
1823 Squire Watt of Bishop Burton (nr.Beverley) wins the St.Leger with home bred Barefoot, trained by R.Shepherd
1824 Jerry, trained at Middleham by James Croft, wins the St.Leger.
1825 Squire Watt of Bishop Burton (nr.Beverley) wins the St.Leger with home bred Memnon, trained by R.Shepherd
1827 Matilda, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the St.Leger
1828 The Colonel, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the St.Leger
1829 Rowton, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the St.Leger
1832 Margrave, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the St.Leger
1833 Squire Watt of Bishop Burton (nr.Beverley) wins his fourth St.Leger with home bred Rockingham, trained by R.Shepherd
1834 Touchstone, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the St.Leger
1835 Mundig, trained at Malton by John Scott, wins the Epsom Derby
1836 Trainer John Osbourne (1801-1865) sets up training in Middleham (at Ashgill most recently occupied by John Weymes) and is later followed by his son John, Junior (who was also a jockey and rode in 38 consecutive Epsom Derby's - winning in 1869 on the Middleham trained Pretender).
1836 Cyprian, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the Epsom Oaks
1838 Industry, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the Epsom Oaks
1838 Don John, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the St.Leger
1838 Grey Momus, bred at the Sledmere Stud, wins the 2000 Guineas
1839 Charles XII, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the St.Leger
1840 Launcelot, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the St.Leger
1841 Ghuznee, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the Epsom Oaks
1841 Satirist, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the St.Leger
1842

Formal racing begins at Wetherby, even then it was National Hunt only, and has only hosted flat events since April 2015.

Modern day Wetherby, click for larger image.
1842 Meteor, trained at Malton by John Scott, wins the 2,000 Guineas
1842 Attila, trained at Malton by John Scott, wins the Epsom Derby
1842 Our Nell, trained at Middleham by Tom Dawson (at Brecongill now owned by Sally Hall and occupied by Jedd O'Keeffe) wins the Epsom Oaks.
1842 Blue Bonnet, trained at Middleham by Tom Dawson wins the St.Leger.
1842 The legendary Beeswing, trained by Bob Johnson at Tupgill, Middleham, wins 9 races in her final season, giving at total of 51 wins in 8 seasons. She was later an excellent broodmare.
1843 Cotyherstone, trained at Malton by John Scott, wins the 2,000 Guineas
1843 Nutwith, trained at Middleham by Bob Johnson wins the St.Leger.
1843 The famous Ebor Handicap is run at York for the first time.
1844 The Princess , trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the Epsom Oaks
1845 The Baron, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the St.Leger
1845 Alice Hawthorne, bred at Shipton near York, and trained by John Osbourne, Snr, in Middleham, wins the last of the 51 races she won. Just across the Ouse from her birthplace in Nun Monkton there is a pub that still carrys her name.
1847 Van Tromp, trained by John Fobert at Middleham wins the St.Leger.
1848 Canezou, trained at Malton by John Scott, wins the 1,000 Guineas
1849 The Flying Dutchman, trained by John Fobert at Middleham (Spigot Lodge where Karl Burke now trains) wins the Epsom Derby and the St.Leger. The following year he adds the Ascot Gold Cup.
1849 Peter Simple, trained at Beverley by T.Cunningham, wins the Grand National.
1849 Nunnykirk, trained at Malton by John Scott, wins the 2,000 Guineas
1850 Voltigeur owned by 2nd Earl of Zetland (of Aske Hall near Richmond where there is a commemorative Voltigeur gate) and trained by Robert Hill at Richmond wins both the Derby and St.Leger.
1850 Miss Agnes is foaled. Bred by John Osbourne, Snr at Ashgill, Middleham, she was to become the second dam of Ormonde, the male line sire of Teddy, Asterus, Gold Bridge etc. In addition Ormonde's full sister, Ornament, produced that grand race mare Sceptre. Ormonde's dam Lily Agnes was later trained by William Osbourne, also at Ashgill.
1851 Lord Eglington's The Flying Dutchman (trained by John Fobert at Middleham) beats Voltigeur (trained at Richmond by Robert Hill) in the most celebrated match race in the history of the British Turf at York. A crowd estimated at 150,000 watched the race.
1851 The following day Nancy owned, trained and bred by Squire Watt of Bishop Burton beats Voltigeur. She also won the Ebor and the Goodwood and Chester Cups.
1851 Iris, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the Epsom Oaks
1851 Newminster, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the St.Leger
1852 Daniel O'Rourke, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the Epsom Derby.
1852 Songstress, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the Epsom Oaks
1853 West Australian, trained by John Scott at Malton becomes the first ever winner of the English Triple Crown.
1853 Peter Simple, trained at Beverley by T.Oliver, wins the Grand National for the second time.
1854 Frederick Bell, of Thirsk Hall (where the family still live) decided to build a racecourse in the gardens of the hall ..... as you do !
1855 Squire Watt of Bishop Burton dies leaving £3,000 to Beverely Racecourse for the Watt Memorial Race, as race still run to this day.
1855 Marchioness, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the Epsom Oaks
1856 Fazzoletto, trained at Malton by John Scott, wins the 2,000 Guineas
1856 Manganese, trained at Middleham by John Osborne Snr, wins the 1,000 Guineas. She was to become grandam of Apology
1856 Ellington, , trained at Middleham by Tom Dawson wins the Derby.
1856 Warlock, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the St.Leger.
1856 Stockwell 'Emperor of Stallions' and winner of the 2,000 Gns and St.Leger moves from Stamford to stand at Kirkby Farm, Tadcaster (now called Stockwell Stud) where he joined Triple Crown winner West Australian. His progeny conceived whilst at Stockwell include St.Albans (St.Leger), Lady Ripon (2nd.Oaks), Caller Ou (St.Leger), The Marquis (2,000 Gns, St.Leger, 2nd.Derby), Caterer (2nd.2,000 Gns), Knowsley (3rd.2,000 Gns), Bertha (2nd.1,000 Gns), Lady Augusta (1,000 Gns), Historian (3rd.2,000 Gns), Tooi Tooi (3rd.1,000 Gns) and the mighty Blair Athol (Derby and St.Leger). He headed the leading sires list for the first time in 1860, and was champion sire seven times in total, and got three Derby winners. See also 1861.
1857 Blink Bonny, bred, owned and trained at Malton by William I'Anson (Senior) wins the Epsom Derby and Oaks. Blink Bonny stables in the town are named after her.
1857 Imperieuse, owned and trained at Malton by John Scott, wins the 1,000 Guineas and the St.Leger
1859 Gamester, trained by John Scott at Malton, wins the St.Leger
1860 The Wizard, trained at Malton by John Scott, wins the 2,000 Guineas
1860 Sagitta, trained at Malton by John Scott, wins the 1,000 Guineas
1861 Caller Ou, bred, owned and trained at Malton by William I'Anson (Senior) wins the St.Leger.
1861 Stockwell (see 1856) moves to Rawcliffe Stud, York following the death of his owner Lord Londesborough.In the two years he stood here he sired Regalia (Oaks, 2nd.St.Leger), Lord Lyon (Triple Crown), Repulse (1,000 Guineas), Monarch of the Glen (2nd.2,000 Guineas), Savernake (2nd.Derby) and Rustic (3rd.Derby).
1861 The last race is run at Malton racecourse, where racing had started in 1801.
1862 Hurricane, trained at Malton by John Scott, wins the 1,000 Guineas
1862 The Marquis, trained at Malton by John Scott, wins the 2,000 Guineas and the St.Leger
1863 John Scott of Whitewall Stables, Malton, trains Queen Bertha to win the Epsom Oaks - this was the last of his record 40 classic wins which spanned a period from 1827 and included: 7 winners of the 2,000 Guineas, 4 winners of the 1,000 Guineas, 5 winners of the Epsom Derby, 8 winners of the Epsom Oaks and 16 winners of the St.Leger.
1864 Blair Athol, trained (and bred) at Malton by William I'Anson (Senior) wins the Epsom Derby and the St.Leger.
1864 Lord Glasgow's General Peel, trained at Middleham by Tom Dawson, wins the 2,000 Guineas.
1865 J.F.Herring the famous horse artist of Doncaster dies, having painted the winners of 32 St.Leger's before his death.
1865 John Osbourne senior of Ashgill, Middleham dies and his the stock is auctioned by Tattersall's for 11,488 gns.
1867 Stockwell, becomes Champion Sire for the seventh time. In his time at stud he sired a (then) record total of 17 English classic winners.
1867 Hermit, sired by Rawcliffe Stud stallion Newminster, wins the Derby before commencing his excellent stallion career.
1869 Pretender, trained at Middleham by Tom Dawson (at Tupgill) wins the Epsom Derby and the 2,000 Guineas. His box is still used to this day (see right). As the bloodstock trend started to head south to Newmarket and Lambourn he was to be the last Northern Derby winner until Dante in 1945, and the last Northern trained Derby winner to win the great race at Epsom (Dante's wartime victory being at Newmarket). Pretender is buried (vertically!) under a stone at Brecongill.

Memorial stone to Pretender at Tupgill. Click for a larger image
1870 Doncaster, later to win the Derby and Ascot Gold Cup is bred at Sledmere Stud, by Sir Tatton Sykes. A mainstay of the famous Eaton Stud he was later to sire the Derby winner and premier sire Bend Or.
1871 Bothwell, trained at Middleham by Tom Dawson, wins the 2,000 Guineas
1872 Racing on the current site started at Redcar although there had been earlier races on the beach.
1873 Racing at Middleham racecourse ceases following a dispute between Gaitowners (farmers with grazing rights on the moor) and the trainers.
1873 Doncaster, bred at the Sledmere Stud, wins the Derby. His sire line includes Bend Or, Ormonde, Pharos, Fairway and Northern Dancer, making it the most important in the world to this day.
1874 Apology, trained in Middleham by William Osbourne wins the Fillies Triple Crown, she also won the following years Ascot Gold Cup. Her owner was a clergyman, Rev.John King, who later resigned due to the Bishop's disapproval of his racing interests!
1880 Jenny Howlet, trained at Malton by William I'Anson (Junior) wins the Epsom Oaks, with stablemate Bonnie Marden in second.
1884 Dobson Peacock moves into Manor House Stables, Middleham where the family continued to be based until very recently.
1884 Robert Vyner of Newby Hall, Ripon won the St.Leger with Lambkin. The Vyner horses (his brother Clare founded Thornton Stud) were mainly trained at Newmarket, although there were gallops and extensive stabling at Newby occupied by, amonst others, Billy Bullock, Billy Nevett and Steve Nesbitt in somewhat more recent times.
1891 Richmond racecourse is closed, with the last meet run on the 7th August. The old course and grandstand (the upper storey was demolished as a safety precuation in the 1960's) are still visible to this day and the land is used as gallops, until recently by Bill Watts and Anne Swinbank. Pictures from 1993 below.

Grandstand at Richmond. Click for a larger image Stewards box at Ricmond. Click for a larger image. Plaque on Stewards stand. Click for a larger image. Some of the racecourse as it is today. High Gingerfield Lodge in the background. Click for a larger image.
1891 Wetherby racecourse moves to it's current location.
1891 Mimi, bred at the Sledmere Stud, wins the 1,000 Gns and Oaks
1898 Disraeli, bred at the Sledmere Stud, wins the 2,000 Gns.

Recent ~ 20th Century ~ 19th Century ~ Early History

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