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Some four miles north-west of Stockbridge, Hampshire, the racing stables of the formidable John Barham Day stood sheltered among beech trees at the foot of Danebury Ring.
Some four miles north-west of Stockbridge, Hampshire, the racing stables of the formidable John Barham Day stood sheltered among beech trees at the foot of Danebury Ring.
Employing over 100 people, John Day ruled the stables with a strictness which demanded obedience.
Employing over 100 people, John Day ruled the stables with a strictness which demanded obedience.
Every Sunday the stable lads were made to go to church twice before listening to bible lessons in the dining-room. Any lad not paying attention would feel the lash of John Day’s whip across his shoulders. The boys’ meals, which were excellent, were liberally and regularly served. Every comfort and luxury compatible with a stableboy’s situation was found. No swearing was allowed and gambling was strictly forbidden. Amusement came by way of the cricket ground.
Every Sunday the stable lads were made to go to church twice before listening to bible lessons in the dining-room. Any lad not paying attention would feel the lash of John Day’s whip across his shoulders. The boys’ meals, which were excellent, were liberally and regularly served. Every comfort and luxury compatible with a stableboy’s situation was found. No swearing was allowed and gambling was strictly forbidden. Amusement came by way of the cricket ground.
John Day’s better half, who looked upon cleanliness as one of the cardinal virtues, attended to the boys’ comfort, and there was not a merrier set of urchins in all England than in the well-conducted training grounds of John Barham Day.
John Day’s better half, who looked upon cleanliness as one of the cardinal virtues, attended to the boys’ comfort, and there was not a merrier set of urchins in all England than in the well-conducted training grounds of John Barham Day.
A portion of the prize money won by the stable was equally divided among the boys, and each had opened a small account in the neighbouring town’s savings bank. It was into this wholesome environment that each lad came with dreams of the future.
A portion of the prize money won by the stable was equally divided among the boys, and each had opened a small account in the neighbouring town’s savings bank. It was into this wholesome environment that each lad came with dreams of the future.
Day was born on October 27th 1793 in Houghton Down, Hampshire – Barham was his mother’s maiden name.
Day was born on October 27th 1793 in Houghton Down, Hampshire – Barham was his mother’s maiden name.
Unusually small, in stark contrast to his twenty stone father, Day started riding at minor tracks in Hampshire and, in 1826, Lord Henry Fitzroy recommended Day to his brother, the fourth Duke of Grafton. It was a good move for all parties – Day rode the Duke’s horses to win the first two Classics; Problem (2,000 Guineas) and Devise (1,000 Guineas).
Unusually small, in stark contrast to his twenty stone father, Day started riding at minor tracks in Hampshire and, in 1826, Lord Henry Fitzroy recommended Day to his brother, the fourth Duke of Grafton. It was a good move for all parties – Day rode the Duke’s horses to win the first two Classics; Problem (2,000 Guineas) and Devise (1,000 Guineas).
Day went on to ride 16 Classic winners, though the Derby eluded him. He was a lightweight jockey able to weigh in at 7 stone, but, as such, lacked strength, particularly in a close finish. He took on a dual role in 1835 and, still riding, began training at Danebury. He used the steep hills there to bring to peak fitness the horses whose constitutions stood the regimen – it was too much for some; many died, but those who survived were rarely beaten first time out.
Day went on to ride 16 Classic winners, though the Derby eluded him. He was a lightweight jockey able to weigh in at 7 stone, but, as such, lacked strength, particularly in a close finish. He took on a dual role in 1835 and, still riding, began training at Danebury. He used the steep hills there to bring to peak fitness the horses whose constitutions stood the regimen – it was too much for some; many died, but those who survived were rarely beaten first time out.
He was a man who lacked principals: he would readily cheat bookmakers or friends without compunction. Sarcastically, he became known as ‘Honest John’.
He was a man who lacked principals: he would readily cheat bookmakers or friends without compunction. Sarcastically, he became known as ‘Honest John’.
His first patron of significance was the lavish spender Lord George Bentick. It proved a formidable partnership with Bentick’s Crucifix winning both the 1,000 Guineas and the 2,000 Guineas plus the Oaks in 1840. Day himself rode all three winners.
His first patron of significance was the lavish spender Lord George Bentick. It proved a formidable partnership with Bentick’s Crucifix winning both the 1,000 Guineas and the 2,000 Guineas plus the Oaks in 1840. Day himself rode all three winners.
Bentick and Day landed another considerable coup when Elis, who had been beaten in the Epsom Derby, was entered for the St Leger. In 1836 it took about two weeks to move a horse to Doncaster from Hampshire and, a week before the St Leger was due to be run, Bentick let it be known that the horse was still in its Danebury stable. Elis’s price lengthened significantly and Bentick and Day helped themselves. Unbeknown to the hapless bookmakers, Bentick had built one of the first-ever horseboxes, and it took only three days to get Elis to the course. The horse won in a canter.
Bentick and Day landed another considerable coup when Elis, who had been beaten in the Epsom Derby, was entered for the St Leger. In 1836 it took about two weeks to move a horse to Doncaster from Hampshire and, a week before the St Leger was due to be run, Bentick let it be known that the horse was still in its Danebury stable. Elis’s price lengthened significantly and Bentick and Day helped themselves. Unbeknown to the hapless bookmakers, Bentick had built one of the first-ever horseboxes, and it took only three days to get Elis to the course. The horse won in a canter.
Then Day decided to double-cross Bentick. After watching a horse owned by Bentick train on the gallops, Day wrote him a letter saying how well the beast was and imploring him to back it the next Monday. He then wrote to a bookmaker saying that the horse would not win and begged him to take as much money off Bentick as he could. Unfortunately for Day, he put the letters in the wrong envelopes and the partnership was over.
Then Day decided to double-cross Bentick. After watching a horse owned by Bentick train on the gallops, Day wrote him a letter saying how well the beast was and imploring him to back it the next Monday. He then wrote to a bookmaker saying that the horse would not win and begged him to take as much money off Bentick as he could. Unfortunately for Day, he put the letters in the wrong envelopes and the partnership was over.
In 1845 Day became private trainer to Henry Padwick of Findon in Sussex, and his son John took over Danebury. In 1855, still up to his old tricks, he arranged for his son William’s horse Lord of the Isles to win the 2,000 Guineas – this is spite of the knowledge that Padwick had bet heavily on his own horse, St Hubert, in the race. Padwick, on discovering the truth, immediately evicted Day from his stables.
In 1845 Day became private trainer to Henry Padwick of Findon in Sussex, and his son John took over Danebury. In 1855, still up to his old tricks, he arranged for his son William’s horse Lord of the Isles to win the 2,000 Guineas – this is spite of the knowledge that Padwick had bet heavily on his own horse, St Hubert, in the race. Padwick, on discovering the truth, immediately evicted Day from his stables.
Day returned to spend his remaining years at Danebury. He died on 21st March 1860 of softening of the brain and was buried at Woodyates, Dorset where he son William had set up racing stables.
Day returned to spend his remaining years at Danebury. He died on 21st March 1860 of softening of the brain and was buried at Woodyates, Dorset where he son William had set up racing stables.
His parents were John Day (1767-1828) and Anne Barham (1775-1844). He married Harriet Goddard (1795-1846). Harriet died at Danebury and was buried at Stockbridge. She gave him a daughter, Hope Day (1828-1894)
His parents were John Day (1767-1828) and Anne Barham (1775-1844). He married Harriet Goddard (1795-1846). Harriet died at Danebury and was buried at Stockbridge. She gave him a daughter, Hope Day (1828-1894)
He also married Jane Ann Squires (1815-1871) who died at Dawlish and was buried at Kenn in Devon.
He also married Jane Ann Squires (1815-1871) who died at Dawlish and was buried at Kenn in Devon.
John Barham Day left effects of under £14,000
John Barham Day left effects of under £14,000
The last surviving brother, Charles, died at Woodyates on October 4, 1876, aged 69. At one time he trained in Russia.
The last surviving brother, Charles, died at Woodyates on October 4, 1876, aged 69. At one time he trained in Russia.
John Barham Day’s classic wins:
John Barham Day’s classic wins:
Two Thousand Guineas: Dervise (1826), Grey Momus (1838), Crucifix (1840) and Ralph (1841)
Two Thousand Guineas: Dervise (1826), Grey Momus (1838), Crucifix (1840) and Ralph (1841)
One Thousand Guineas: Problem (1826), May Day (1834), Destiny (1836), Chapeau d’Espagne (1837) and Crucifix (1840)
One Thousand Guineas: Problem (1826), May Day (1834), Destiny (1836), Chapeau d’Espagne (1837) and Crucifix (1840)
The Oaks: Turquoise (1828), Oxygen (1831), Pussy (1834), Deception (1839) and Crucifix (1840)
The Oaks: Turquoise (1828), Oxygen (1831), Pussy (1834), Deception (1839) and Crucifix (1840)
St Leger: Chorister (1831) and Elis (1836)
St Leger: Chorister (1831) and Elis (1836)
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