Thomas Cardwell 

Thomas Cardwell

Amateur jockey Thomas Cardwell, aged 23, a bookbinder from Beverely, fell from his mount whilst riding at Woodhouse Moor races, near Leeds, on Friday, 29 September 1854. The horse was owned by Thomas Long, a Beverley spirit merchant.

Thomas had won the first heat and was just taking the lead in the second heat when his mount was brought down by a dog opposite the Victoria cricket ground gates, pitching the jockey onto his head.

He was taken into the house at the cricket ground, and shortly afterwards conveyed to the Red Lion Inn at Woodhouse where the landlord, Mr Scholey, and Mr Ruddock, a Leeds surgeon, gave every assistance, but their efforts were unavailing, as he was “without the remotest hope of recovery”. He never regained consciousness and died from a fractured skull at noon the following day.

The introduction of dogs onto the racecourse was severely criticised by borough coroner Mr Blackburn at an inquest held at the Red Lion Inn the following Monday. He heard how local surgeon, Mr Ruddock, had found Thomas Cardwell suffering from a severe fracture of the skull. 

Coroner Blackburn was informed that fatal or less serious accidents were almost an annual occurrence at these races due to the lack of preventive measures. Horses were allowed to gallop around the racecourse without any fencing to protect the public, who crossed and recrossed the course at every turn to obtain a better view of the race whilst, within 100 yards of the winning post, they made but a narrow lane which was widened as the horses pressed upon the crowds.

It was pointed out to the coroner that, under the circumstances, it was a wonder that, not so many, but so few accidents occurred.

A verdict of Accidental Death' was recorded.

One report gives Cardwell’s first name as John, but the remainder give it as Thomas, which is therefore presumed to be the correct version.