John Bumby was born in Thirsk and apprenticed to Robert Hesseltine.
He lost the thumb and forefinger of his right hand when out shooting near Malton on September 10, 1859.
He died at Richmond in Yorkshire on July 3, 1885 aged 63: his wife Emily died just a few weeks later. They had no children. John was buried at St Mary's Church, Richmond.
John won the Chester Cup twice: 1842 (Alice Hawthorn) and 1843 (Millipede).
He also won the 1948 Northumberland Plate on Chanticleer.