John Porter
1838 - 1922
1838 - 1922
Born on 2 March, 1838 in Rugeley, Staffordshire, the young John narrowly escaped death twice: he was dragged unconscious from a brook having tumbled in whilst fishing, and missed - by a second - a falling wall that crashed down beside him on the very spot where he had just passed.
Born on 2 March, 1838 in Rugeley, Staffordshire, the young John narrowly escaped death twice: he was dragged unconscious from a brook having tumbled in whilst fishing, and missed - by a second - a falling wall that crashed down beside him on the very spot where he had just passed.
Originally his father intended John to pursue a legal career, but this idea was quickly abandoned when it became obvious his son lived and breathed horses. John’s schoolboy friend Tom Ashmall was just as keen to become a jockey (and eventually did so, winning no less than 5 Classics) and the two lads would spend every free hour away from school riding work for Tom’s uncle, Tom Carr, who trained locally at Hednesford.
Originally his father intended John to pursue a legal career, but this idea was quickly abandoned when it became obvious his son lived and breathed horses. John’s schoolboy friend Tom Ashmall was just as keen to become a jockey (and eventually did so, winning no less than 5 Classics) and the two lads would spend every free hour away from school riding work for Tom’s uncle, Tom Carr, who trained locally at Hednesford.
John had his first ride in public on Wednesday July 26 1854 aboard Diana, a three-year-old carrying five stone four pound in the Goodwood Stakes. The horse started at 9/2 fav and finished sixth of the sixteen runners. The following year he rode Overreach to victory on Wednesday Oct 24 at Newmarket. He made all the running to beat the 4/6 fav Unexpected by a neck. (By an extraordinary coincidence, in 1855, both Overreach and Unexpected were involved in a four-horse dead heat, the other horses being Lady Golightly and Gamester.)
John had his first ride in public on Wednesday July 26 1854 aboard Diana, a three-year-old carrying five stone four pound in the Goodwood Stakes. The horse started at 9/2 fav and finished sixth of the sixteen runners. The following year he rode Overreach to victory on Wednesday Oct 24 at Newmarket. He made all the running to beat the 4/6 fav Unexpected by a neck. (By an extraordinary coincidence, in 1855, both Overreach and Unexpected were involved in a four-horse dead heat, the other horses being Lady Golightly and Gamester.)
John’s appearances in the saddle were severely restricted by the rise of John Wells, another of the stable’s apprentices, who was clearly the better rider. John Porter had ridden just twenty winners and - on dismounting Carmel after the 1858 Derby - decided that his talents lay elsewhere.
John’s appearances in the saddle were severely restricted by the rise of John Wells, another of the stable’s apprentices, who was clearly the better rider. John Porter had ridden just twenty winners and - on dismounting Carmel after the 1858 Derby - decided that his talents lay elsewhere.
And so it proved. He went on to become one of the greatest trainers of all time, winning no less than 23 Classics (though, sadly, none ridden by his old schoolboy friend Tom Ashmall).
And so it proved. He went on to become one of the greatest trainers of all time, winning no less than 23 Classics (though, sadly, none ridden by his old schoolboy friend Tom Ashmall).
Strangely, for one so successful in his chosen field, John had another passion which, if mentioned, would immediately divert his attention from horseracing. He was a devoted gardener, employing every hour of leisure on the small enclosed garden which he rented in the village. He grew everything – flowers, fruit, vegetables – and gave it all away to local villagers.
Strangely, for one so successful in his chosen field, John had another passion which, if mentioned, would immediately divert his attention from horseracing. He was a devoted gardener, employing every hour of leisure on the small enclosed garden which he rented in the village. He grew everything – flowers, fruit, vegetables – and gave it all away to local villagers.
The townsfolk of Rugeley (John’s birthplace) were keen to get the name of the place changed as it had become inseparable from the name of William Palmer (the notorious horse poisoner - and probably murderer - who had been publicly hung at York racecourse) and who had lived and practiced there.
The townsfolk of Rugeley (John’s birthplace) were keen to get the name of the place changed as it had become inseparable from the name of William Palmer (the notorious horse poisoner - and probably murderer - who had been publicly hung at York racecourse) and who had lived and practiced there.
The Newbury racecourse, which opened on 26th September 1905, was the brainchild of John Porter and was laid out under his personal supervision. He felt that Newbury, with its proximity to many racing stables, particularly at Lambourn, would be an ideal location for such a venue. The Jockey Club, however, rejected his plans several times, and it was a chance meeting with King Edward Vll that moved the plan forward. Porter convinced the King of its viability – through him Lloyd H Baxendale became involved. Baxendale provided a section of his large estate on which Porter proceeded to build the course. To provide greater access to the course, an adjoining section of the Baxendale estate was sold to the Great Western Railway on the strict condition they built Newbury station in close proximity to the course.
The Newbury racecourse, which opened on 26th September 1905, was the brainchild of John Porter and was laid out under his personal supervision. He felt that Newbury, with its proximity to many racing stables, particularly at Lambourn, would be an ideal location for such a venue. The Jockey Club, however, rejected his plans several times, and it was a chance meeting with King Edward Vll that moved the plan forward. Porter convinced the King of its viability – through him Lloyd H Baxendale became involved. Baxendale provided a section of his large estate on which Porter proceeded to build the course. To provide greater access to the course, an adjoining section of the Baxendale estate was sold to the Great Western Railway on the strict condition they built Newbury station in close proximity to the course.
John Porter died on Tuesday, Feb 21, 1922, aged 84.
John Porter died on Tuesday, Feb 21, 1922, aged 84.