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Born at Stockbridge on January 18, 1815, young John Day, one of twelve children, was the eldest son of the legendary John Barham Day, and the nephew of jockey Sam Day. Two of John’s brothers – Sam and Alfred – also went on to become successful jockeys while a third, William, trained three Classic winners.
Born at Stockbridge on January 18, 1815, young John Day, one of twelve children, was the eldest son of the legendary John Barham Day, and the nephew of jockey Sam Day. Two of John’s brothers – Sam and Alfred – also went on to become successful jockeys while a third, William, trained three Classic winners.
John’s father trained at Danebury, Stockbridge in Hampshire, and John regularly rode for the stable, which was one of the largest and most successful in England. He was articled for some time to a veterinary surgeon at Oxford before devoting himself to his father’s stable.
John’s father trained at Danebury, Stockbridge in Hampshire, and John regularly rode for the stable, which was one of the largest and most successful in England. He was articled for some time to a veterinary surgeon at Oxford before devoting himself to his father’s stable.
His first winning ride came on a mare called Whisk at Weymouth in 1830. In the 1844 2,000 Guineas aboard the 2/7 favourite The Ugly Buck, John scrapped home by a neck from The Devil-to-Pay. The jockey claimed that he had won cleverly, but deep whip marks on either side of the horse told a very different story.
His first winning ride came on a mare called Whisk at Weymouth in 1830. In the 1844 2,000 Guineas aboard the 2/7 favourite The Ugly Buck, John scrapped home by a neck from The Devil-to-Pay. The jockey claimed that he had won cleverly, but deep whip marks on either side of the horse told a very different story.
In 1847 he took over as the trainer of Danebury stables after his father had moved away to become private trainer to Henry Padwick. John got off to a flying start winning, in his first season, the Derby with Pyrrhus The First and both the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks with the filly Mendicant.
In 1847 he took over as the trainer of Danebury stables after his father had moved away to become private trainer to Henry Padwick. John got off to a flying start winning, in his first season, the Derby with Pyrrhus The First and both the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks with the filly Mendicant.
In 1866, Day agreed to train the filly Lady Elizabeth for a young aristocrat – the Marquess of Hastings – who, by then, had already spent most of a huge inheritance. Lady Elizabeth was a brilliant 2-y-o, winning 12 of her 13 races. Hastings told John Day to train her for the 1868 Derby and, on the day, had what remained of his fortune on the horse to win. Lady Hastings, ridden by top jockey George Fordham and starting the 7/4 favourite, ran hopelessly and was beaten out of sight. Hastings was ruined.
In 1866, Day agreed to train the filly Lady Elizabeth for a young aristocrat – the Marquess of Hastings – who, by then, had already spent most of a huge inheritance. Lady Elizabeth was a brilliant 2-y-o, winning 12 of her 13 races. Hastings told John Day to train her for the 1868 Derby and, on the day, had what remained of his fortune on the horse to win. Lady Hastings, ridden by top jockey George Fordham and starting the 7/4 favourite, ran hopelessly and was beaten out of sight. Hastings was ruined.
Day was accused of knowing the filly had lost her form and betting heavily against her. A court case was anticipated but came to nothing but – with mud sticking – Day’s fortunes rapidly declined and the winners dried up.
Day was accused of knowing the filly had lost her form and betting heavily against her. A court case was anticipated but came to nothing but – with mud sticking – Day’s fortunes rapidly declined and the winners dried up.
In 1845, he was warned off for giving false evidence at a Jockey Club inquiry.
In 1845, he was warned off for giving false evidence at a Jockey Club inquiry.
John Day Jr. died on December 3, 1882, leaving £3,558
John Day Jr. died on December 3, 1882, leaving £3,558
Hastings, penniless and aged just 26, died a few weeks after the Derby. (He had no children and the Marquessate of Hastings became extinct.)
Hastings, penniless and aged just 26, died a few weeks after the Derby. (He had no children and the Marquessate of Hastings became extinct.)
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