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William Henry Day, a younger son of the redoubtable John Barham Day, was born on 9th August 1823 at his father’s racing stables in Danebury, Hampshire. It was natural for William to pursue a career in horse-racing; his father was a famous jockey and trainer while his grandfather John Day was racing advisor to the Prince of Wales (later George lV). Educated privately, William showed a marked aptitude for writing, a talent that was to stand him in good stead in later life.
William Henry Day, a younger son of the redoubtable John Barham Day, was born on 9th August 1823 at his father’s racing stables in Danebury, Hampshire. It was natural for William to pursue a career in horse-racing; his father was a famous jockey and trainer while his grandfather John Day was racing advisor to the Prince of Wales (later George lV). Educated privately, William showed a marked aptitude for writing, a talent that was to stand him in good stead in later life.
Though training was to be his greatest forte, he nonetheless displayed considerable ability in the saddle, winning, at the age of 14, the 1838 Ascot Gold Cup on Lord George Bentinck’s horse Grey Momus.
Though training was to be his greatest forte, he nonetheless displayed considerable ability in the saddle, winning, at the age of 14, the 1838 Ascot Gold Cup on Lord George Bentinck’s horse Grey Momus.
When William’s eldest brother John succeeded his father at Danebury, William set up as a trainer in his own right, sending horses out from Woodyates, Cranborne Chase, Dorset. These included the 2,000 Guineas winners Lord of the Isle (1855) and his own Promised Land which was ridden by his brother Alfred. William also trained the 1869 Oaks and Ascot Gold Cup winner Brigantine, ridden by Tom Cannon. His training career continued to flourish – he trained winners of the French Grand Prix, the Cesarewitch and the Cambridgeshire, among others.
When William’s eldest brother John succeeded his father at Danebury, William set up as a trainer in his own right, sending horses out from Woodyates, Cranborne Chase, Dorset. These included the 2,000 Guineas winners Lord of the Isle (1855) and his own Promised Land which was ridden by his brother Alfred. William also trained the 1869 Oaks and Ascot Gold Cup winner Brigantine, ridden by Tom Cannon. His training career continued to flourish – he trained winners of the French Grand Prix, the Cesarewitch and the Cambridgeshire, among others.
William sold the stud in 1873 raising £25,000. He was already fairly well-off and would have died a rich man but for some disastrous land speculations which robbed him of the bulk of his fortune.
William sold the stud in 1873 raising £25,000. He was already fairly well-off and would have died a rich man but for some disastrous land speculations which robbed him of the bulk of his fortune.
William then began to write, and produced ‘The Horse: how to Bred and Rear him’ (1888). He began contributing to various magazines, writing several articles on turf politics in the Fortnightly Review. His The Racehorse in Training was translated into French.
William then began to write, and produced ‘The Horse: how to Bred and Rear him’ (1888). He began contributing to various magazines, writing several articles on turf politics in the Fortnightly Review. His The Racehorse in Training was translated into French.
In 1846 he married his cousin Ellen, daughter of James Day, veterinary surgeon, of Kenford, Devon. They had five sons. Like his father, William possessed an iron will and was an avid bible reader.
In 1846 he married his cousin Ellen, daughter of James Day, veterinary surgeon, of Kenford, Devon. They had five sons. Like his father, William possessed an iron will and was an avid bible reader.
William died in Southampton on Saturday, the 29th August 1908, aged 85, and was buried alongside his wife at the parish church, Pentridge, Cranborne Chase, Dorset on September 2.
William died in Southampton on Saturday, the 29th August 1908, aged 85, and was buried alongside his wife at the parish church, Pentridge, Cranborne Chase, Dorset on September 2.
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