John Dodgson
1803 - 1875
1803 - 1875
John Dodgson was born in Tadcaster, Yorkshire in 1803. He began his riding career in the 1820s, initially in the North, then moving to the Midlands in the 1830s.
John Dodgson was born in Tadcaster, Yorkshire in 1803. He began his riding career in the 1820s, initially in the North, then moving to the Midlands in the 1830s.
He recorded two notable victories, winning the Knutsford Gold Cup twice, firstly on Mr A. Bower’s horse Lady Stafford (beating Penrhos) on July 30, 1833, and then on Profligate in 1839.
He recorded two notable victories, winning the Knutsford Gold Cup twice, firstly on Mr A. Bower’s horse Lady Stafford (beating Penrhos) on July 30, 1833, and then on Profligate in 1839.
Racing had been in existence at the Cheshire town of Knutsford, 14 miles south-west of Manchester, since the late 1700s. An early record shows that racing took place on Higher Knutsford Heath in June 1679. Baily’s Register first provided detailed results of races held there in 1729. In 1762, Knutsford Heath races were deemed to be of sufficient importance for the results to be included in the Racing Calendar.
Racing had been in existence at the Cheshire town of Knutsford, 14 miles south-west of Manchester, since the late 1700s. An early record shows that racing took place on Higher Knutsford Heath in June 1679. Baily’s Register first provided detailed results of races held there in 1729. In 1762, Knutsford Heath races were deemed to be of sufficient importance for the results to be included in the Racing Calendar.
By 1815 the Knutsford Gold Cup had been established, the inaugural winner being Prince of Orange, owned by Lord Grey. It remained a weight for age race until after the 1833 running, after which it became a handicap. Thus, John Dodgson’s two winners of the race spanned the change, his first Gold Cup victory being as a weight for age contest, his second being as a handicap.
By 1815 the Knutsford Gold Cup had been established, the inaugural winner being Prince of Orange, owned by Lord Grey. It remained a weight for age race until after the 1833 running, after which it became a handicap. Thus, John Dodgson’s two winners of the race spanned the change, his first Gold Cup victory being as a weight for age contest, his second being as a handicap.
Sadly, John’s wife died on January 15, 1840, aged just 32, less than a year after his second Knutsford Gold Cup triumph. She was buried at St Luke’s Church in Cannock.
Sadly, John’s wife died on January 15, 1840, aged just 32, less than a year after his second Knutsford Gold Cup triumph. She was buried at St Luke’s Church in Cannock.
John was highly praised for his riding at the 1849 Sutton Park meeting. On the first day he won the Innkeepers Stakes on Jack Cade, then on the second day he landed the Edgbaston Plate on Exhort.
John was highly praised for his riding at the 1849 Sutton Park meeting. On the first day he won the Innkeepers Stakes on Jack Cade, then on the second day he landed the Edgbaston Plate on Exhort.
The final race meeting at Knutsford took place on August 8, 1873. Having returned to his native Yorkshire, John Dodgson outlived Knutsford’s racecourse by two years, dying in Pocklington in 1875, aged 72.
The final race meeting at Knutsford took place on August 8, 1873. Having returned to his native Yorkshire, John Dodgson outlived Knutsford’s racecourse by two years, dying in Pocklington in 1875, aged 72.