William Hope-Johnstone

William Hope-Johnstone

1819-1850

Born in 1819, amateur rider William Hope-Johnstone was the son of John James and Alicia Ann Hope-Johnstone. He was well-known on the northern turf and was long famed as a dashing rider of steeplechases, especially at Elkington Park.

William finished fourth in the 1842 Grand National on his own horse The Returned.  

He married Octavia Sophie Hope-Johnstone on 7 December 1841. They had four children, three sons and a daughter, including champion amateur rider Wentworth Hope-Johnstone (1848-1910). 

William had the misfortune to fall backwards over a sunk fence when on the look-out for poachers: some fourteen months' later, having suffered much pain with great patience and Christian fortitude, he died on Sunday 17 March 1850 at Rae Hills, Annadale, Scotland, the seat of his father.

William finished fourth in the 1842 Grand National on The Returned