Samuel Adams

A native of St. Giles, Dorset, Samuel Adams was the brother of jockeys James Adams (1844-1912) and Frank Adams (died 1893).

He was apprenticed to William Day aged eleven and went on to become a successful jockey, twice winning the Cambridgeshire on Catch ’em Alive (1863) and Lozenge (1867). His other big wins included the 1863 Lincolnshire Handicap on Manrico, the 1864 Great Metropolitan on Jaco, and the 1865 Queen's Vase on Eltham.

He finished third on Eltham in the 1865 Derby (in which his two brothers also rode).

Samuel married when just 18, but at the time of his death had been separated from his wife Dora and three children for six years owing to his lifestyle. In May 1871, whilst Samuel was riding at Lichfield races, his wife eloped with George Horace Meloy, a Reading insurance agent. Meloy stole two boxes of clothes from the house when leaving.

Samuel traced the couple to Norwich, later having his day in court. Meloy was jailed for three months with hard labour for theft.

In June 1897, Meloy’s wife, Catherine Ann, divorced him on grounds of adultery.

Samuel began drinking heavily and became a pitiful sight on the metropolitan racecourses as he staggered about drunk.

On Monday evening, 21st August 1876, Mr F. S. Langham, the deputy coroner for Westminster, held an inquiry in the boardroom of Charing Cross Hospital into the death of Samuel.

The father stated that his son was 29, and had generally been in good health.

For the last six months, he had been living in Hampshire, Middlesex.

Some three years ago, in striving to win a race, he had over-exerted himself and broke a blood vessel. Subsequently, he was subjected to fits and in consequence unable to follow his profession which caused him great distress.

On August 16  a police officer had spotted Samuel leaning against a lamp-post in the Strand. He appeared to be very ill and could not speak. The police officer helped him to Charing Cross Hospital; ascending the steps, Samuel suddenly collapsed and died on the spot. He was quite sober and appeared to be in pecuniary embarrassment.  Mr Biden, a house surgeon, immediately attended the stricken jockey on admission. On examination, he found him to be suffering from lung disease, the result of excesses observed in training for races.

Samuel had died of consumption induced by irregular habits with the breaking of blood vessels having materially hastened his death (16 August 1876).

Biggest wins:

1863:  Cambridgeshire - Catch 'em Alive

1863:  Lincoln - Manrico

1864:  Great Metropolitan - Jaco

1865:  Queen's Vase - Eltham

1867:  Cambridgeshire - Lozenge