William Peel
William Peel is possibly best remembered as the part-owner of The Chandler, which won the 1848 Grand National. In March 1847, due to the death of a relative, William had been prevented from riding The Chandler at Warwick; Captain Broadley substituted, and it was during this race that The Chandler made his spectacular thirty-seven feet across a swollen brook.
William Peel is possibly best remembered as the part-owner of The Chandler, which won the 1848 Grand National. In March 1847, due to the death of a relative, William had been prevented from riding The Chandler at Warwick; Captain Broadley substituted, and it was during this race that The Chandler made his spectacular thirty-seven feet across a swollen brook.
The Chandler was a son of Dr Faustus, which was owned by William's father, Edmund, of Bonehill, near Tamworth. The Chandler had earlier been owned by Mr Wilkins, a chandler from Sutton Coldfield, hence the horse's name.
The Chandler was a son of Dr Faustus, which was owned by William's father, Edmund, of Bonehill, near Tamworth. The Chandler had earlier been owned by Mr Wilkins, a chandler from Sutton Coldfield, hence the horse's name.
Mr Wilkins sold it on to a Mr Garnett, of Moore Hall in Staffordshire, who promptly put the horse to work, pulling a gig all day. One weekend, when William was staying at Moore Hall as a guest, the horse which he was to ride with the hounds fell lame. Mr Garnet unharnessed The Chandler from its gig, offering it as a replacement. Later, greatly impressed with the horse's potential, William bought the horse for 'a ridiculously small sum' which was gladly accepted.
Mr Wilkins sold it on to a Mr Garnett, of Moore Hall in Staffordshire, who promptly put the horse to work, pulling a gig all day. One weekend, when William was staying at Moore Hall as a guest, the horse which he was to ride with the hounds fell lame. Mr Garnet unharnessed The Chandler from its gig, offering it as a replacement. Later, greatly impressed with the horse's potential, William bought the horse for 'a ridiculously small sum' which was gladly accepted.
William's great friend, Captain Josey Little, later bought shares in The Chandler, and it was he who steered it to victory in the Grand National. Together, William and Josey took £7,000 off the bookmakers. In the same race, William was unluckily brought down on his own horse, Pioneer.
William's great friend, Captain Josey Little, later bought shares in The Chandler, and it was he who steered it to victory in the Grand National. Together, William and Josey took £7,000 off the bookmakers. In the same race, William was unluckily brought down on his own horse, Pioneer.
William Peel died at Folkestone in late June 1882 after many years of declining health.
William Peel died at Folkestone in late June 1882 after many years of declining health.