Sam Peppler
1847 - 1910
1847 - 1910
Sam Peppler, the son of an agricultural labourer, was born in Nether Wallop in 1847.
Sam Peppler, the son of an agricultural labourer, was born in Nether Wallop in 1847.
Aged 14, he was employed by trainer Young King at Stockbridge.
Aged 14, he was employed by trainer Young King at Stockbridge.
On 4 December 1873, he married Jane Packer.
On 4 December 1873, he married Jane Packer.
She died, aged 72, at Lambeth in September, 1921.
She died, aged 72, at Lambeth in September, 1921.
At Stockbridge on Friday, 19 June, 1863, Sam climbed aboard the juvenile filly, Aunt Judy.
At Stockbridge on Friday, 19 June, 1863, Sam climbed aboard the juvenile filly, Aunt Judy.
She had been entered in two races that afternoon (as was common practice at that time): the Railway Plate and the Danebury Nursey Stakes.
She had been entered in two races that afternoon (as was common practice at that time): the Railway Plate and the Danebury Nursey Stakes.
She never lay down a challenge in her first run, trailing the field in last place the whole way.
She never lay down a challenge in her first run, trailing the field in last place the whole way.
An hour later, she lined up for her second. This time, as the race report reads, she was first into her stride, and made every yard of the running, giving the bookies a skinner.
An hour later, she lined up for her second. This time, as the race report reads, she was first into her stride, and made every yard of the running, giving the bookies a skinner.
Of her 16 races that year, this was the only one Aunt Judy won.
Of her 16 races that year, this was the only one Aunt Judy won.
Sam enjoyed a good year in 1867, winning on 40 of his 254 rides, but, by 1871, it was all over.
Sam enjoyed a good year in 1867, winning on 40 of his 254 rides, but, by 1871, it was all over.
He retired from the saddle and became a groom at Shrivenham, the birthplace of his wife. Later he became a coachman.
He retired from the saddle and became a groom at Shrivenham, the birthplace of his wife. Later he became a coachman.
Sam Peppler died at Marylebone on 11 June, 1910, leaving the staggering amount (for a labourer's son) of £5,208. 4s and 6d - an awful lot of cash in 1910.
Sam Peppler died at Marylebone on 11 June, 1910, leaving the staggering amount (for a labourer's son) of £5,208. 4s and 6d - an awful lot of cash in 1910.
His wife Jane didn't spend it all. When she died, eleven years later, she left £3,269.
His wife Jane didn't spend it all. When she died, eleven years later, she left £3,269.
It's interesting to note that the first race of the day was 30 minutes late in getting off, due - as the race analysis reads - to a runner refusing to line up.
It's interesting to note that the first race of the day was 30 minutes late in getting off, due - as the race analysis reads - to a runner refusing to line up.
Can you imagine a horse being allowed to delay a race for so long these days?
Can you imagine a horse being allowed to delay a race for so long these days?