Sam Hibberd
1838 - 1888
1838 - 1888
Sam was born in Salisbury on December 6, 1838.
Sam was born in Salisbury on December 6, 1838.
He was the son of a labourer and served his apprenticeship with William Day.
He was the son of a labourer and served his apprenticeship with William Day.
Sam won the Chester Cup three times: on One Act (1856) and twice on Dalby (1865 & 1866). The weight carried by One Act was 5 st 1lb, which shows just how slight a character Sam was.
Sam won the Chester Cup three times: on One Act (1856) and twice on Dalby (1865 & 1866). The weight carried by One Act was 5 st 1lb, which shows just how slight a character Sam was.
Other victories included the 1856 Cambridgeshire on Malacca, the 1857 Great Northamptonshire Stakes on St.Giles and the 1864 Chesterfield Cup on King Of Utopia. That year he also won the Earl Spencer Plate on Reindeer. In 1865, he won the Brighton Stakes on Redmire and, in 1866, the Cesarewitch on Lecturer. The owner of Lecturer, the Marquis of Hastings, won about £70,000 in bets. Shortly before the race, bookmaker Mr Fred. Swindell, owner of the favourite, Prosperine, asked Sam to ride his filly in a two-mile gallop, which he did. Swindell asked Sam how Prosperine had performed. "Oh, pretty well," said Sam, but she ain't going to win no Cesarewitch. The race is a good thing for the one I ride, but I'm not going to lecture you about it."
Other victories included the 1856 Cambridgeshire on Malacca, the 1857 Great Northamptonshire Stakes on St.Giles and the 1864 Chesterfield Cup on King Of Utopia. That year he also won the Earl Spencer Plate on Reindeer. In 1865, he won the Brighton Stakes on Redmire and, in 1866, the Cesarewitch on Lecturer. The owner of Lecturer, the Marquis of Hastings, won about £70,000 in bets. Shortly before the race, bookmaker Mr Fred. Swindell, owner of the favourite, Prosperine, asked Sam to ride his filly in a two-mile gallop, which he did. Swindell asked Sam how Prosperine had performed. "Oh, pretty well," said Sam, but she ain't going to win no Cesarewitch. The race is a good thing for the one I ride, but I'm not going to lecture you about it."
In 1867, Sam won both the Woodcote Stakes, on Le Sarrazin, and the Ascot Stakes, on Zenobia.
In 1867, Sam won both the Woodcote Stakes, on Le Sarrazin, and the Ascot Stakes, on Zenobia.
Among his chief employers were Squire Heathcote, Lord Hastings, the Duke of Beaufort, Sir John Astley, the Prince of Batthyany and Count Lagrange.
Among his chief employers were Squire Heathcote, Lord Hastings, the Duke of Beaufort, Sir John Astley, the Prince of Batthyany and Count Lagrange.
Although he had earned a lot of money during his days as a jockey, he was destitute at the end of his career and gladly accepted the drudgery of schooling horses to provide food for his large family.
Although he had earned a lot of money during his days as a jockey, he was destitute at the end of his career and gladly accepted the drudgery of schooling horses to provide food for his large family.
Aged 49, Samuel Hibberd died from inflammation of the lungs at Fordham, near Newmarket on Tuesday morning, February 21, 1888. He left a widow, Eliza, and eight children, quite unprovided for. A fund on their behalf was opened by W. Jarvis., who set the ball rolling with £15. A similar sum was donated by the Bentinck Benevolent Fund. Sam was laid to rest on Saturday 25 February in Newmarket Cemetery.
Aged 49, Samuel Hibberd died from inflammation of the lungs at Fordham, near Newmarket on Tuesday morning, February 21, 1888. He left a widow, Eliza, and eight children, quite unprovided for. A fund on their behalf was opened by W. Jarvis., who set the ball rolling with £15. A similar sum was donated by the Bentinck Benevolent Fund. Sam was laid to rest on Saturday 25 February in Newmarket Cemetery.
His fourth son, Thomas Adolphus Hibberd, was born in Newmarket in 1872 and also became a jockey, serving his time with R. G. Sherrard of Chetwynd House. He later rode for Baron Singer's stable in Austria and also rode in Germany. When increasing weight prevented him from riding on the Flat he became a steeplechase jockey and trainer. On returning to England he became head lad at Reg Day's stables before moving on to Captain Brassey in Northamptonshire. Whilst there, Thomas suffered a serious breakdown and spent three years in the Melton Mental Institute. He died in Melton on Thursday, March 10 1932, aged 59.
His fourth son, Thomas Adolphus Hibberd, was born in Newmarket in 1872 and also became a jockey, serving his time with R. G. Sherrard of Chetwynd House. He later rode for Baron Singer's stable in Austria and also rode in Germany. When increasing weight prevented him from riding on the Flat he became a steeplechase jockey and trainer. On returning to England he became head lad at Reg Day's stables before moving on to Captain Brassey in Northamptonshire. Whilst there, Thomas suffered a serious breakdown and spent three years in the Melton Mental Institute. He died in Melton on Thursday, March 10 1932, aged 59.
Another son, Sam, a prominent figure in Newmarket, passed away on Monday, February 19, 1940, one day after his 74th birthday. On 22 April 1903, he had been best man at the wedding of his stepdaughter, Laura, when she married jockey Walter Bradford at Stretchworth Parish Church, near Newmarket.
Another son, Sam, a prominent figure in Newmarket, passed away on Monday, February 19, 1940, one day after his 74th birthday. On 22 April 1903, he had been best man at the wedding of his stepdaughter, Laura, when she married jockey Walter Bradford at Stretchworth Parish Church, near Newmarket.