Joseph Cannon lived at Lordship Farm, Newmarket, and was the father of Newmarket trainer J.H.S. Cannon and the uncle of trainer Tom Cannon. He was also the uncle of jockeys Mornington and Kempton Cannon.
He was born in Eton (as was his elder brother, Tom) on December 10, 1848, and, at the age of 12, entered a racing stable. Joseph was determined to follow the successful path pursued by Tom, but increasing weight gave him no chance to distinguish himself on the flat, and he switched to jump racing, with dramatic effect.
He joined Captain Machell's Bedford Cottage stables in order to ride and assist in the training of the Captain's horses.
Quickly establishing himself as one of the country's leading riders, he crowned his career at the age of 27 by winning the Grand National on Captain Machell's Regal (24 March 1876)
Shortly after, he assumed complete control and sent out Petrarch to win the 1876 2,000 Guineas. He then convinced Lord Lonsdale to purchase Pilgrimage: Lonsdale did so and was rewarded when that horse both the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas in 1878.
Joseph trained yet another 2,000 guineas winner when Petronel succeeded two years later.
In 1882, Joseph was approached by Lord Rosebery, who was looking for a trainer. John took over his yard and, in his second season there, won the Great Metropolitan with Roysterer.
Joseph also won the Manchester November Handicap no less than four times.
On leaving Lord Rosebery, he set up at Grafton House; his owners included George Lambton, Charles Kinsky, the jockey, Chris & Frankie Murrietta, Mr Charles Hartopp and Baron Max de Tuyll.
In his lifetime, Joe Cannon suffered many reverses of fortune but met each disaster with a joke and a smile of sunshine.
He had an extraordinarily happy family life and many devoted friends.
Two of his four sons, Noel & Joseph Henry, became trainers of note. His other two sons were Arthur (killed in WW1) and James
One of Joseph's best apprentices was Tommy Loates, who went on to ride the winners of six classics and be champion jockey on three occasions.
Joseph Cannon died on Sunday, February 5, 1933. He was 84.
Joe had a passion for boxing (or 'prize-fighting' as it was then known).
Another devotee of the sport was the young Scotch millionaire, Mr Baird.
Mr Baird's trainer at this time was Charles Morton who, unable to cope with the many hangers-on which Mr Baird and his money attracted, resigned.
Baird asked Joe Cannon to replace him.
Cannon agreed and Baird and he had a successful first year together winning, among others, the Dewhurst with Meddler, that season's top two-year-old (Isinglass aside).
Joe then heard that Baird intended to go to America to watch a prize-fight and that a lot of Baird's undesirable friends would be accompanying him. Fearful of the consequences, Joe immediately went to London to try to prevent it. Baird was overjoyed to see him and begged Joe to rescue him from his surroundings. Joe left the house for a short time to make some arrangements, but when he tried to return to the house, the gang, not wanting their prey to escape, refused to let him in.
Baird went to America and never returned.
Joseph Cannon's Grand National record:
1872: Franc Luron fell
1873: Reugny pulled up
1874: Disturbance 6th
1876: Regal WON
1877: Congress 2nd
1879: Bacchus fell
1880: Regal fell
Other big wins:
1872: Molyneux Handicap Chase - Reugny
1878: Grand International Hurdle - Hesper
