Chris Green
Chris on 1859 Grand National winner Half Caste
Chris on 1859 Grand National winner Half Caste
Chris Green won two Grand Nationals as a jockey on Abd-el-Kader (1850) and Half Caste (1859) and trained The Lamb for the second of his Grand National triumphs in 1871. He interspersed his professional racing life with periods concentrating on his farming interests on the Norfolk–Cambridgeshire borders.
Chris Green won two Grand Nationals as a jockey on Abd-el-Kader (1850) and Half Caste (1859) and trained The Lamb for the second of his Grand National triumphs in 1871. He interspersed his professional racing life with periods concentrating on his farming interests on the Norfolk–Cambridgeshire borders.
His exact date of birth is not known, but he was baptised on July 16, 1820, the son of Norfolk farmer William Green and his wife Mary at Upwell, near Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. Although his full name was Christopher Green, throughout his professional life he was referred to as Chris
His exact date of birth is not known, but he was baptised on July 16, 1820, the son of Norfolk farmer William Green and his wife Mary at Upwell, near Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. Although his full name was Christopher Green, throughout his professional life he was referred to as Chris
He learned to ride at an early age and ‘whipped in’ to his father who hunted a pack of harriers across the enormous Fen drains. He began his racing career with Lord Berners in 1837 but then moved to William Rowland Sandiford who kept a small stud of Flat racers and steeplechasers at Colkirk House, Colkirk, in Norfolk. On 10th and 11th September 1839, he had three rides in two days for Rowland Sandiford at the Norfolk and Norwich Steeplechases on the four-year-old-old bay colt Oliver Twist. Some of his earliest successes were gained on horses named Thought, Corringham and Longwais.
He learned to ride at an early age and ‘whipped in’ to his father who hunted a pack of harriers across the enormous Fen drains. He began his racing career with Lord Berners in 1837 but then moved to William Rowland Sandiford who kept a small stud of Flat racers and steeplechasers at Colkirk House, Colkirk, in Norfolk. On 10th and 11th September 1839, he had three rides in two days for Rowland Sandiford at the Norfolk and Norwich Steeplechases on the four-year-old-old bay colt Oliver Twist. Some of his earliest successes were gained on horses named Thought, Corringham and Longwais.
One account of a steeplechase at Diss waxed lyrical over his race-winning ride on Thought: “Green on Thought had a tremendous fall, by his horse swerving against a gate post; although much stunned, he was up ‘as quick as Thought,’ and away went horse and rider at an increased speed ... The riding of Green was much admired, he is not only a good but a most fortunate rider, and has almost invariably ridden the winner, wherever he has appeared this season.”
One account of a steeplechase at Diss waxed lyrical over his race-winning ride on Thought: “Green on Thought had a tremendous fall, by his horse swerving against a gate post; although much stunned, he was up ‘as quick as Thought,’ and away went horse and rider at an increased speed ... The riding of Green was much admired, he is not only a good but a most fortunate rider, and has almost invariably ridden the winner, wherever he has appeared this season.”
At the Waltham Abbey Steeplechase meeting on April 9, 1840, Chris and Thought came second to that year’s Grand National winner Jerry, the mount of Jem Mason, in a duel that was said to be a credit to both riders.
At the Waltham Abbey Steeplechase meeting on April 9, 1840, Chris and Thought came second to that year’s Grand National winner Jerry, the mount of Jem Mason, in a duel that was said to be a credit to both riders.
Soon afterwards, however, Chris’s farming interests took precedence over racing and he gave up riding for a few years before resuming in 1849 with two rides at Stallinghall, near Norwich, finishing second on Present and winning on Novice.
Soon afterwards, however, Chris’s farming interests took precedence over racing and he gave up riding for a few years before resuming in 1849 with two rides at Stallinghall, near Norwich, finishing second on Present and winning on Novice.
On Wednesday, February 27, 1850 he rode the eight-year-old Abd-el-Kader to win the Grand National for Irish owner-trainer Joseph Osborne, winning by a length in a record time of 9min 57½sec. A reporter praised the performance thus: “The judgment with which he steered Abd-el-Kader for this great event betokened an ‘artiste’ of no little merit, for he rode throughout with indomitable resolution, steadying the little horse when necessary, and keeping him going in that part of the line where his superior jumping soon made the heavy weights tell.”
On Wednesday, February 27, 1850 he rode the eight-year-old Abd-el-Kader to win the Grand National for Irish owner-trainer Joseph Osborne, winning by a length in a record time of 9min 57½sec. A reporter praised the performance thus: “The judgment with which he steered Abd-el-Kader for this great event betokened an ‘artiste’ of no little merit, for he rode throughout with indomitable resolution, steadying the little horse when necessary, and keeping him going in that part of the line where his superior jumping soon made the heavy weights tell.”
Chris's next National ride came in 1854 when finishing 6th on Half-and-Half.
Chris's next National ride came in 1854 when finishing 6th on Half-and-Half.
Two years later, he failed to finish on Stamford but enjoyed a better ride in 1857 when finishing second on Weathercock.
Two years later, he failed to finish on Stamford but enjoyed a better ride in 1857 when finishing second on Weathercock.
He married Rebecca Bettinson, daughter of farmer Thomas Bettinson, at All Saints Church, Walsoken, near Wisbech, on September 19, 1854. They had six known children, two of whom died in infancy.
He married Rebecca Bettinson, daughter of farmer Thomas Bettinson, at All Saints Church, Walsoken, near Wisbech, on September 19, 1854. They had six known children, two of whom died in infancy.
He moved to Littleport in the Isle of Ely (his father’s birthplace) and set up as a trainer of steeplechasers. There he made the acquaintance of Henry Jones of Aps Hall, Littleport, resulting in a long-standing relationship in which, as co-owners, they bought a mare named Tomyrus, who had won both on the Flat and over hurdles. From Tomyrus descended several good horses that would bring Messrs Green and Jones further success.
He moved to Littleport in the Isle of Ely (his father’s birthplace) and set up as a trainer of steeplechasers. There he made the acquaintance of Henry Jones of Aps Hall, Littleport, resulting in a long-standing relationship in which, as co-owners, they bought a mare named Tomyrus, who had won both on the Flat and over hurdles. From Tomyrus descended several good horses that would bring Messrs Green and Jones further success.
Chris gained his second Grand National victory on Half Caste in 1859, in one of the closest fought in Aintree, Half Caste winning “a most exciting race” by a “short neck” from the French horse Jean du Quesne, with Huntsman in third place only a length behind them.
Chris gained his second Grand National victory on Half Caste in 1859, in one of the closest fought in Aintree, Half Caste winning “a most exciting race” by a “short neck” from the French horse Jean du Quesne, with Huntsman in third place only a length behind them.
The following year, Chris rode Captain White’s horse Lefroy in the Grand National but they failed to finish. In 1861 he rode Cockatoo but fell on the second circuit.
The following year, Chris rode Captain White’s horse Lefroy in the Grand National but they failed to finish. In 1861 he rode Cockatoo but fell on the second circuit.
Having relocated from Littleport to Station Road, Newmarket, he widened his sphere to encompass training on the Flat. His string included Eastern Princess (a daughter of Tomyrus by Surplice) and he rode her himself in the 1861 Oaks at Epsom, although they were unplaced.
Having relocated from Littleport to Station Road, Newmarket, he widened his sphere to encompass training on the Flat. His string included Eastern Princess (a daughter of Tomyrus by Surplice) and he rode her himself in the 1861 Oaks at Epsom, although they were unplaced.
In October 1863 he rode his own horse, Reporter, to victory on the horse’s jumping debut in the Great National Steeple Chase at Lincoln. This appears to be the last winner that he actually rode himself. Reporter followed up by winning the Worcestershire Grand Annual Steeple Chase by ten lengths.
In October 1863 he rode his own horse, Reporter, to victory on the horse’s jumping debut in the Great National Steeple Chase at Lincoln. This appears to be the last winner that he actually rode himself. Reporter followed up by winning the Worcestershire Grand Annual Steeple Chase by ten lengths.
By the mid-1860s, Chris was forging close links with Lord Poulett, another major racehorse owner. It was reported in late 1865 that Poulett was building a private racecourse and training ground on Soberton Downs in Hampshire and had engaged Chris as private trainer. However, Chris remained in Newmarket at that stage – Ben Land Snr took up the post – but Chris nonetheless received some of the Poulett horses including Cortolvin, who he trained to be second in the 1866 Grand National.
By the mid-1860s, Chris was forging close links with Lord Poulett, another major racehorse owner. It was reported in late 1865 that Poulett was building a private racecourse and training ground on Soberton Downs in Hampshire and had engaged Chris as private trainer. However, Chris remained in Newmarket at that stage – Ben Land Snr took up the post – but Chris nonetheless received some of the Poulett horses including Cortolvin, who he trained to be second in the 1866 Grand National.
In 1869, Chris retired to Walsoken to resume his farming interests. However, when Ben Land Snr decided to retire as Lord Poulett’s private trainer in 1870, Chris was persuaded to take his place in Hampshire. He was given the task of preparing The Lamb for a second Grand National victory – he had won the race in 1868 – and during the winter “Lord Poulett and his party were exceedingly sanguine of success, and his Lordship caused a private circular to be distributed among his friends telling them to back The Lamb to win”. Lord Poulett’s optimism was not misplaced and The Lamb duly won the 1871 Grand National in the hands of Tommy Pickernell.
In 1869, Chris retired to Walsoken to resume his farming interests. However, when Ben Land Snr decided to retire as Lord Poulett’s private trainer in 1870, Chris was persuaded to take his place in Hampshire. He was given the task of preparing The Lamb for a second Grand National victory – he had won the race in 1868 – and during the winter “Lord Poulett and his party were exceedingly sanguine of success, and his Lordship caused a private circular to be distributed among his friends telling them to back The Lamb to win”. Lord Poulett’s optimism was not misplaced and The Lamb duly won the 1871 Grand National in the hands of Tommy Pickernell.
Soon after that famous Aintree triumph, Chris gave up his appointment at Droxford. It was stated that he “retired from public life” to reside at Walsoken, Wisbech, either at the end of 1871 or upon the death of his father the following year.
Soon after that famous Aintree triumph, Chris gave up his appointment at Droxford. It was stated that he “retired from public life” to reside at Walsoken, Wisbech, either at the end of 1871 or upon the death of his father the following year.
Sadly, his life as a gentleman farmer was short-lived, being brought to an abrupt end by the death of his wife, Rebecca, in late 1873, aged just 43. Chris did not long survive her, dying at Walsoken two months later on February 26, 1874, aged 53. He was laid to rest alongside his wife.
Sadly, his life as a gentleman farmer was short-lived, being brought to an abrupt end by the death of his wife, Rebecca, in late 1873, aged just 43. Chris did not long survive her, dying at Walsoken two months later on February 26, 1874, aged 53. He was laid to rest alongside his wife.
He left a valid will, but his executors had either died or were unwilling to act. He left an estate valued at under £200. The probate calendar shows that his brother, James William Green of Upwell, Norfolk, acted as administrator and became ward to the four young orphans.
He left a valid will, but his executors had either died or were unwilling to act. He left an estate valued at under £200. The probate calendar shows that his brother, James William Green of Upwell, Norfolk, acted as administrator and became ward to the four young orphans.
His 1874 obituary writers summarise his record thus: “As a jockey Chris Green was one of the best and boldest horsemen of any time.” It continued: “As a cross-country jockey he had few equals, for to the most indomitable pluck he added rare judgment, never being taken aback in a difficulty; he had a firm and at the same time elegant seat, and the finest hands. It mattered not what kind of horse he was put on, for he was equally at home on the puller as on the slug.”
His 1874 obituary writers summarise his record thus: “As a jockey Chris Green was one of the best and boldest horsemen of any time.” It continued: “As a cross-country jockey he had few equals, for to the most indomitable pluck he added rare judgment, never being taken aback in a difficulty; he had a firm and at the same time elegant seat, and the finest hands. It mattered not what kind of horse he was put on, for he was equally at home on the puller as on the slug.”
