Sir Peter Grant Lawson
1903 - 1973
1903 - 1973
Sir Peter Grant Lawson, 2nd Baronet, was among the most successful owner-riders of the inter-war period. His victories included two Grand Military Gold Cups and the Liverpool Foxhunters’ Chase and finished fifth in the 1932 Grand National. His horses were all trained by Towser Gosden.
Sir Peter Grant Lawson, 2nd Baronet, was among the most successful owner-riders of the inter-war period. His victories included two Grand Military Gold Cups and the Liverpool Foxhunters’ Chase and finished fifth in the 1932 Grand National. His horses were all trained by Towser Gosden.
He was born on July 28, 1903, the son of Sir John Grant Lawson, 1st Baronet, MP, DL, JP. Educated at Harrow, he became the 2nd Baronet Lawson on the death of his father in 1919. He joined the Royal Horse Guards in 1922.
He was born on July 28, 1903, the son of Sir John Grant Lawson, 1st Baronet, MP, DL, JP. Educated at Harrow, he became the 2nd Baronet Lawson on the death of his father in 1919. He joined the Royal Horse Guards in 1922.
One of Sir Peter’s early winners was Fine Yarn. He bought the horse in March 1928 and rode him to win the Household Brigade Cup at Hawthorn Hill in April, carrying 13st 5lb and giving at least 19lb to their four rivals. In November that same year Sir Peter steered Fine Yarn to victory by a distance in a two-mile handicap chase at Hethersett. He rode him to two more victories, in handicap chases at Chelmsford in November 1929 and Newton Abbot in May 1930.
One of Sir Peter’s early winners was Fine Yarn. He bought the horse in March 1928 and rode him to win the Household Brigade Cup at Hawthorn Hill in April, carrying 13st 5lb and giving at least 19lb to their four rivals. In November that same year Sir Peter steered Fine Yarn to victory by a distance in a two-mile handicap chase at Hethersett. He rode him to two more victories, in handicap chases at Chelmsford in November 1929 and Newton Abbot in May 1930.
In January 1932 he won a Hurst Park amateur riders’ chase on Aspirant. They then finished second, beaten three-quarters of a length, to Forbra in the Montague Evans Cup Chase at Taunton the following month. Those two horses met again at Liverpool on March 18 in the Grand National, with Forbra winning under Tim Hamey while Sir Peter finished a gallant fifth on Aspirant.
In January 1932 he won a Hurst Park amateur riders’ chase on Aspirant. They then finished second, beaten three-quarters of a length, to Forbra in the Montague Evans Cup Chase at Taunton the following month. Those two horses met again at Liverpool on March 18 in the Grand National, with Forbra winning under Tim Hamey while Sir Peter finished a gallant fifth on Aspirant.
He won Sandown’s Grand Military Gold Cup for the first time on Castletown in 1932, having the previous month ridden him to victory in the Stanley Cup, a handicap chase for amateur riders over the same course and distance.
He won Sandown’s Grand Military Gold Cup for the first time on Castletown in 1932, having the previous month ridden him to victory in the Stanley Cup, a handicap chase for amateur riders over the same course and distance.
Sir Peter returned to Aintree in 1933 and won the Liverpool Foxhunters’ Chase, in those days run over the full Grand National distance of four miles 856 yards, on 13-year-old Half Asleep, trained by Bobby Renton at Ripon.
Sir Peter returned to Aintree in 1933 and won the Liverpool Foxhunters’ Chase, in those days run over the full Grand National distance of four miles 856 yards, on 13-year-old Half Asleep, trained by Bobby Renton at Ripon.
His best horse was Golden Holiday, who won 26 races, ridden in all bar five of them by Sir Peter. Their first success came at Cheltenham's National Hunt Meeting on March 3, 1932 when winning the Swindon Selling Chase, selling chases then being a part of the NH Meeting. Sir Peter bought Golden Holiday back for 115 guineas, a wise move as it turned out.
His best horse was Golden Holiday, who won 26 races, ridden in all bar five of them by Sir Peter. Their first success came at Cheltenham's National Hunt Meeting on March 3, 1932 when winning the Swindon Selling Chase, selling chases then being a part of the NH Meeting. Sir Peter bought Golden Holiday back for 115 guineas, a wise move as it turned out.
Next time out they won the United Services Cup Chase on the second day of Sandown’s Grand Military meeting, the day after Sir Peter had won the Gold Cup on Castletown. They then won at Torquay on Easter Monday and followed up by winning the Household Brigade Handicap Chase at Hawthorn Hill in April. They won again at Wye in September.
Next time out they won the United Services Cup Chase on the second day of Sandown’s Grand Military meeting, the day after Sir Peter had won the Gold Cup on Castletown. They then won at Torquay on Easter Monday and followed up by winning the Household Brigade Handicap Chase at Hawthorn Hill in April. They won again at Wye in September.
Sir Peter won five chases on Golden Holiday in 1933 including the Lavington Challenge Cup at Fontwell. They teamed up to win a total of 13 times during 1934 and 1935, including successive renewals of the Household Brigade Cup at Hawthorn Hill. Their last victory together came in Fontwell’s Champagne Cup Handicap Chase on Whit Monday, June 10, 1935.
Sir Peter won five chases on Golden Holiday in 1933 including the Lavington Challenge Cup at Fontwell. They teamed up to win a total of 13 times during 1934 and 1935, including successive renewals of the Household Brigade Cup at Hawthorn Hill. Their last victory together came in Fontwell’s Champagne Cup Handicap Chase on Whit Monday, June 10, 1935.
Another of Sir Peter’s good horses was Sir Troops. He won eight hurdle races on him between 1933 and 1935 including the Montagu Handicap Hurdle – a decent race at the time – at Wetherby’s 1934 Easter meeting.
Another of Sir Peter’s good horses was Sir Troops. He won eight hurdle races on him between 1933 and 1935 including the Montagu Handicap Hurdle – a decent race at the time – at Wetherby’s 1934 Easter meeting.
Having been promoted to the rank of captain in 1934, Sir Peter won a second Grand Military Gold Cup in 1936, this time on Misdemeanour II, his eighth and final ride in the race. Also that year, he was a member of the Army show-jumping team, taking part in competitions in Dublin, New York and Toronto.
Having been promoted to the rank of captain in 1934, Sir Peter won a second Grand Military Gold Cup in 1936, this time on Misdemeanour II, his eighth and final ride in the race. Also that year, he was a member of the Army show-jumping team, taking part in competitions in Dublin, New York and Toronto.
Having been elected to the National Hunt Committee in 1932, Sir Peter served as Steward from 1933-36 and again in 1937 and 1939. His racing colours were lilac and green hoops, green sleeves and cap.
Having been elected to the National Hunt Committee in 1932, Sir Peter served as Steward from 1933-36 and again in 1937 and 1939. His racing colours were lilac and green hoops, green sleeves and cap.
He joined the North Somerset Yeomanry in 1937 and lived at The Folly Farm, near Tetbury, in Gloucestershire. He had also inherited the Nuttall Park Estate at Ramsbottom, at Bury, near Manchester on the death of his father.
He joined the North Somerset Yeomanry in 1937 and lived at The Folly Farm, near Tetbury, in Gloucestershire. He had also inherited the Nuttall Park Estate at Ramsbottom, at Bury, near Manchester on the death of his father.
Survived by his wife Virginia, Sir Peter Grant Lawson died on 21 March 1973, aged 69. The title of Baronet Lawson became extinct upon his death.
Survived by his wife Virginia, Sir Peter Grant Lawson died on 21 March 1973, aged 69. The title of Baronet Lawson became extinct upon his death.