c1829-1862
Although he enjoyed some success as a jockey, Charles Balchin was far more noted as a trainer.
Born in Paris around 1829, he initially shared his training premises at Turf Cottage, Sutton, Surrey, with his London-born brother William from 1852 to 1854. William then took up as a trainer in Chantilly, France leaving Charles to train alone at Sutton from 1855. William died in France in 1893, having fathered five children there between 1858-1870.
Charles was private trainer to Mr W. G. Craven, one of the five founder members of the National Hunt Committee. However, he gained his most important success when sending out Jealousy to win the 1861 Grand National for another of his owners, Mr J. Bennett.
On Saturday 16 November that same year, Charles met with a serious accident when driving his dog cart between Sutton and Mitcham. The horse bolted before tumbling down an embankment, taking the cart with him. Charles was knocked unconscious, and his face was badly lacerated, his nose completely smashed by the cart falling upon him.
Charles had an elder brother, jockey Francis Augustus (Gus) Balchin, who rode Xanthus to finish third in the 1858 and 1860 Grand Nationals. Charles was the trainer on each occasion.
Xanthus also ran in the 1861 race, this time ridden by Charlie Boyce but still trained by Charles. Despite the injuries incurred from his accident, he still managed to send out two horses for the 1862 Grand National, Xanthus and The Tattler.
Charles Balchin died at his house in Sutton on Tuesday 14 October 1862, aged 37, almost a year after his accident He was described by those who knew him as a very worthy, kind-hearted man who, in the preparation of horses for hunting and cross-country purposes, had obtained a wide celebrity.
