Nat Flatman
1810 -1860
1810 -1860
Nat Flatman, the son of Edward Flatman (a small farmer) and his wife Biddy, was born in the Suffolk village of Holton St Peter where he was baptized on September 9th 1810, but spent his formative years in neighbouring Billesdon.
Nat Flatman, the son of Edward Flatman (a small farmer) and his wife Biddy, was born in the Suffolk village of Holton St Peter where he was baptized on September 9th 1810, but spent his formative years in neighbouring Billesdon.
It was at Billesdon that horse breeder Dick Wilson operated. On the death of Sir Charles Bunbury he had bought Smolensko, the 1813 Derby winner (born in the same year as Flatman) and, attracted to Wilson’s operation, this Classic winner was the first racehorse Flatman ever saw. Wilson recognized his interest and, on his behalf, enquires were made at the Newmarket stables of William Cooper. Flatman, weighing just 4 stone, was taken on.
It was at Billesdon that horse breeder Dick Wilson operated. On the death of Sir Charles Bunbury he had bought Smolensko, the 1813 Derby winner (born in the same year as Flatman) and, attracted to Wilson’s operation, this Classic winner was the first racehorse Flatman ever saw. Wilson recognized his interest and, on his behalf, enquires were made at the Newmarket stables of William Cooper. Flatman, weighing just 4 stone, was taken on.
He introduced himself to Mrs Cooper, the stable’s cook, as Elnathan Flatman. ‘Oh dear,’ said Mrs Cooper. ‘That’s far too long and fine a name for such a little bit of a fellow as you. No, no - we must call you Little Nat.’ And Little Nat he became.
He introduced himself to Mrs Cooper, the stable’s cook, as Elnathan Flatman. ‘Oh dear,’ said Mrs Cooper. ‘That’s far too long and fine a name for such a little bit of a fellow as you. No, no - we must call you Little Nat.’ And Little Nat he became.
He was an enthusiastic worker and gradually progressed from riding exercise to riding trials, at which he excelled, yet was not seen riding in public until the age of 19, comparatively late in those days. Riding Lord Exeter’s 2-y-o filly Gold Pin, he finished unplaced in Newmarket’s Craven Stakes (April 20), but success was not far away. At the Spring Meeting the following year, he won aboard a 2-y-o Emilius colt and soon began making up for lost time.
He was an enthusiastic worker and gradually progressed from riding exercise to riding trials, at which he excelled, yet was not seen riding in public until the age of 19, comparatively late in those days. Riding Lord Exeter’s 2-y-o filly Gold Pin, he finished unplaced in Newmarket’s Craven Stakes (April 20), but success was not far away. At the Spring Meeting the following year, he won aboard a 2-y-o Emilius colt and soon began making up for lost time.
As records first began to be compiled, he became the first officially recognized Champion Jockey in 1846, having ridden 81 winners. He was no longer called Little Nat – he was now addressed more respectfully as Mr Flatman - and, such was his dominance in the saddle that he remained Champion Jockey until 1852. A natural light-weight, his forte was his honesty and integrity – he would never reveal the outcome of trials to anyone but the relevant trainer.
As records first began to be compiled, he became the first officially recognized Champion Jockey in 1846, having ridden 81 winners. He was no longer called Little Nat – he was now addressed more respectfully as Mr Flatman - and, such was his dominance in the saddle that he remained Champion Jockey until 1852. A natural light-weight, his forte was his honesty and integrity – he would never reveal the outcome of trials to anyone but the relevant trainer.
As the Classic winners accumulated – ten in all – so, too, did his wealth and he became one of the few jockeys to earn over £5,000 per year.
As the Classic winners accumulated – ten in all – so, too, did his wealth and he became one of the few jockeys to earn over £5,000 per year.
It was Nat's misfortune to outlive his reputation – he never got over being taken off Toxophilite for the St Leger and his form and winners dried up.
It was Nat's misfortune to outlive his reputation – he never got over being taken off Toxophilite for the St Leger and his form and winners dried up.
He came to be called ‘Old Nat’. People said he had grown nervous and could no longer be trusted. Whatever the truth, his career was finally curtailed in 1859 when his mount Sudbury fell at Bath causing a splintered rib to pierce his lung. Later, that September, dismounting the filly Golden Pippen at Newmarket, he was viciously kicked.
He came to be called ‘Old Nat’. People said he had grown nervous and could no longer be trusted. Whatever the truth, his career was finally curtailed in 1859 when his mount Sudbury fell at Bath causing a splintered rib to pierce his lung. Later, that September, dismounting the filly Golden Pippen at Newmarket, he was viciously kicked.
Nat Flatman died of consumption at Woodditton, near Newmarket on the 20th August, 1860. He was 50. He was buried in All Saints Church, Newmarket. The epitaph on his headstone states that he was ‘known to be honest, sober, discreet and plain living’. Doe-eyed and with a long, broken nose, Flatman was all of those things. Newmarket honoured its son, naming Nat Flatman Street after him.
Nat Flatman died of consumption at Woodditton, near Newmarket on the 20th August, 1860. He was 50. He was buried in All Saints Church, Newmarket. The epitaph on his headstone states that he was ‘known to be honest, sober, discreet and plain living’. Doe-eyed and with a long, broken nose, Flatman was all of those things. Newmarket honoured its son, naming Nat Flatman Street after him.
Nat left effects of under £6,000 to his widow, Susan (born 1813 in Wareham, Norfolk). Susan died in April 1899 aged 87.
Nat left effects of under £6,000 to his widow, Susan (born 1813 in Wareham, Norfolk). Susan died in April 1899 aged 87.
Two of his daughters perished on the Princess Alice, a Thames pleasure steamer, sunk by another vessel in 1878 in which 640 people drowned. His eldest daughter also died by accident. His architect son, John, died in Newmarket in 1918.
Two of his daughters perished on the Princess Alice, a Thames pleasure steamer, sunk by another vessel in 1878 in which 640 people drowned. His eldest daughter also died by accident. His architect son, John, died in Newmarket in 1918.
Kingston Villa, the house which Nat had built himself in Newmarket, was sold after his widow's death and fetched £4,550.
Kingston Villa, the house which Nat had built himself in Newmarket, was sold after his widow's death and fetched £4,550.
Nat Flatman
Nat Flatman
Classic winners:
Classic winners:
Derby: Orlando (1884)
Derby: Orlando (1884)
One Thousand Guineas: Preserve (1835), Clementina (1847), Imperieuse (1857)
One Thousand Guineas: Preserve (1835), Clementina (1847), Imperieuse (1857)
Two Thousand Guineas: Idas (1845), Hernandez (1851), Fazzoletto (1856)
Two Thousand Guineas: Idas (1845), Hernandez (1851), Fazzoletto (1856)
St Leger: Surplis (1848), Warlock (1856), Imperieuse (1857)
St Leger: Surplis (1848), Warlock (1856), Imperieuse (1857)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1837: Goodwood Cup – Carew
1837: Goodwood Cup – Carew
1840: Chester Cup – Dey of Algiers
1840: Chester Cup – Dey of Algiers
1840: Northumberland Plate – Hetman Platoff
1840: Northumberland Plate – Hetman Platoff
1841: Stewards Cup – Garry Owen
1841: Stewards Cup – Garry Owen
1841: Cambridgeshire – Vulcan
1841: Cambridgeshire – Vulcan
1843: Royal Hunt Cup – Knight of Whistle
1843: Royal Hunt Cup – Knight of Whistle
1844: Cambridgeshire – Evenus
1844: Cambridgeshire – Evenus
1844: Cesarewitch – The Baron
1844: Cesarewitch – The Baron
1845: Cambridgeshire – Alarm
1845: Cambridgeshire – Alarm
1846: Ascot Gold Cup – Alarm
1846: Ascot Gold Cup – Alarm
1846: Stewards Cup – Lady Wildair
1846: Stewards Cup – Lady Wildair
1848: Ebor Handicap – Meaux
1848: Ebor Handicap – Meaux
1848: Gimcrack Stakes – Glauca
1848: Gimcrack Stakes – Glauca
1849: Gimcrack Stakes – Mildew
1849: Gimcrack Stakes – Mildew
1850: Doncaster Cup – Voltigeur
1850: Doncaster Cup – Voltigeur
1852: Goodwood Cup – Kingston
1852: Goodwood Cup – Kingston
1854: Cesarewitch – Muscovite
1854: Cesarewitch – Muscovite
1854: Cambridgeshire –Scherz
1854: Cambridgeshire –Scherz
1857: Gimcrack Stakes – Princess Royal
1857: Gimcrack Stakes – Princess Royal