Cumberland-born Henry’s best season came about in 1844 when riding Foig-a-Ballagh to victory in both the St Leger and the Cesarewitch. He also won the Grand Duke Michael Stakes on the same horse. Whilst the name ‘Foig-a-Ballagh’ (an Irish battle cry loosely meaning ‘clear the way’) appears in the sporting newspapers of the day - plus the studbook and racing calendars - it has, in the course of history, been changed and popularized as ‘Faugh-a-Ballagh’.
Running in the colours of Edwin Irwin (scarlet jacket/blue belt, harlequin cap), he beat the five-year-old Corranna (winner of the previous year’s Cesarewitch) in a 1,000 sovereign match over the St Leger course by six lengths.
Henry Bell again was aboard the next season (1845) when controversy struck. He was beaten two lengths in the Emperor of Russia’s Plate at Ascot. Rumours abounded that, in a political gesture to the Czar (whose own horse had won the race) Henry Bell – on orders – had deliberately pulled the St Leger winner. Bell strenuously denied this and nothing was ever proved.
His first winner had been on a Merchant filly in the 1839 Ascot Stakes when apprenticed to John Forth.
Henry enlisted in the cavalry in 1855 and in October of that year tried to commit suicide. He was then accepted by the Infantry and spent several years in India. He saw active service in the mutiny, eventually buying himself out and returning to Newmarket, England in 1862.
Henry also won the 1845 Oaks on Refraction and the 1843 Queen Anne Stakes on Poison.
He died at St Olave in March 1870, aged 45, and was buried in Norwood Cemetery, Lambeth, on April 11, 1870.
In the 1851 Census, Bell, aged 24, was listed as living at Newmarket Parish with his wife Mary, 23, two children – Henry, 4, and Mary, 2, - and their servant Mary, aged 18.
His son Henry grew to be a jockey.
