Tom Jennings
1823 -1900
1823 -1900
Tom Jennings was born on Christmas Day, 1823. He was the son of John & Ruth (nee Titchmarsh) Jennings and one of 14 children.
Tom Jennings was born on Christmas Day, 1823. He was the son of John & Ruth (nee Titchmarsh) Jennings and one of 14 children.
Though Tom was born at Glebe Farm, Shelford, Cambridgeshire, he was baptised at Foulmire because his father was at loggerheads with the Shelford parson. John Jennings was a Shelford church warden and finished up taking the parson to court over their differences. He lost the case.
Though Tom was born at Glebe Farm, Shelford, Cambridgeshire, he was baptised at Foulmire because his father was at loggerheads with the Shelford parson. John Jennings was a Shelford church warden and finished up taking the parson to court over their differences. He lost the case.
So severely financially embarrassed was he that he was forced to sell up.
So severely financially embarrassed was he that he was forced to sell up.
By trade a farmer and successful horse breeder, he took the unusual step of becoming the Landlord of The Swan, a coaching house between Newmarket & Cambridge in Bottisham.
By trade a farmer and successful horse breeder, he took the unusual step of becoming the Landlord of The Swan, a coaching house between Newmarket & Cambridge in Bottisham.
He also picked up on what he did best, and began breeding, buying and selling horses.
He also picked up on what he did best, and began breeding, buying and selling horses.
About this time, young Tom was gaining an interest in horses, and joined his father when - thinking nothing of the 100 mile journey - John would drive down to Horncastle Horse Fair in Lincoln (and be back early the next day).
About this time, young Tom was gaining an interest in horses, and joined his father when - thinking nothing of the 100 mile journey - John would drive down to Horncastle Horse Fair in Lincoln (and be back early the next day).
Tom loved the long drives across the Fens: it was his first indication of what could be achieved by a tough man and hard, fit horses.
Tom loved the long drives across the Fens: it was his first indication of what could be achieved by a tough man and hard, fit horses.
John's involvement with The Swan was paying off: on Newmarket race days many coach & horses stopped off there.
John's involvement with The Swan was paying off: on Newmarket race days many coach & horses stopped off there.
Tom started to go to the races.
Tom started to go to the races.
Newmarket Town was then in the doldrums: south country trainers preferred to set up their establishments along the Sussex South Downs (Epsom is, of course, on the North Downs) and on the Hampshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Downs.
Newmarket Town was then in the doldrums: south country trainers preferred to set up their establishments along the Sussex South Downs (Epsom is, of course, on the North Downs) and on the Hampshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Downs.
In 1836, 21 years after the battle of Waterloo, Tom, aged 13, was sent with his 17-year-old brother Henry (known as 'Hat' Jennings) to Tom Carter, a relative, who was one of the 'fathers' of the French Turf at La Fourriere, Chantilly.
In 1836, 21 years after the battle of Waterloo, Tom, aged 13, was sent with his 17-year-old brother Henry (known as 'Hat' Jennings) to Tom Carter, a relative, who was one of the 'fathers' of the French Turf at La Fourriere, Chantilly.
This was the age when the British first exported their skill as riders and trainers worldwide.
This was the age when the British first exported their skill as riders and trainers worldwide.
Henry Jennings and Tom Carter then enjoyed remarkable success at Chantilly and other French racecourses (Longchamp was not built and opened until April, 1857.)
Henry Jennings and Tom Carter then enjoyed remarkable success at Chantilly and other French racecourses (Longchamp was not built and opened until April, 1857.)
Young Tom then came more into the picture.
Young Tom then came more into the picture.
Between the brothers, they were responsible for Nativa winning the first running of the Prix de Diane (French Oaks): Henry trained her, Tom, now stable jockey, rode.
Between the brothers, they were responsible for Nativa winning the first running of the Prix de Diane (French Oaks): Henry trained her, Tom, now stable jockey, rode.
Then it all turned sour.
Then it all turned sour.
Henry and Tom had the most bitter row; it was virtually the end of their relationship. Because of this, Tom left Chantilly and made for Northern Italy where he successfully trained for 17 years.
Henry and Tom had the most bitter row; it was virtually the end of their relationship. Because of this, Tom left Chantilly and made for Northern Italy where he successfully trained for 17 years.
In 1851, he returned to France to train for Count Frederic de Lagrange.
In 1851, he returned to France to train for Count Frederic de Lagrange.
Six years later, Tom bought some of the Count's horses to Phantom House, Newmarket, to prepare them for their English engagements.
Six years later, Tom bought some of the Count's horses to Phantom House, Newmarket, to prepare them for their English engagements.
That same year, much to the chagrin of English racegoers, he won the 1857 Goodwood Cup with Monarque.
That same year, much to the chagrin of English racegoers, he won the 1857 Goodwood Cup with Monarque.
So unpopular were French victories that, after Tom had trained Fille de l'Air to win the 1864 Oaks, the filly had to be escorted back to the winner's enclosure by a body of hired prize-fighters.
So unpopular were French victories that, after Tom had trained Fille de l'Air to win the 1864 Oaks, the filly had to be escorted back to the winner's enclosure by a body of hired prize-fighters.
The next year, as if to rub salt into the wound, Tom trained the mighty Gladiateur to win the Triple Crown. Tom won £30,000 on the Derby result.
The next year, as if to rub salt into the wound, Tom trained the mighty Gladiateur to win the Triple Crown. Tom won £30,000 on the Derby result.
Meanwhile, Tom's brother, Henry, who had been involved in the Prussian War, returned as a refugee from the Uhlans to Newmarket in 1870.
Meanwhile, Tom's brother, Henry, who had been involved in the Prussian War, returned as a refugee from the Uhlans to Newmarket in 1870.
There, the two brothers - who had not spoken to each other for over seventeen years - reconciled their differences and once again became great friends.
There, the two brothers - who had not spoken to each other for over seventeen years - reconciled their differences and once again became great friends.
The following year, the Second French Empire fell and Count de Lagrange lost most of his horses.
The following year, the Second French Empire fell and Count de Lagrange lost most of his horses.
Tom simply replaced them at Phantom House with horses owned by other French owners.
Tom simply replaced them at Phantom House with horses owned by other French owners.
In 1880, he built a large house and stableyard a few yards up Newmarket's Fordham Road from Phantom House (which he later gave to Tom Jnr., one of his six sons).
In 1880, he built a large house and stableyard a few yards up Newmarket's Fordham Road from Phantom House (which he later gave to Tom Jnr., one of his six sons).
Young Tom Jennings became a NH jockey who won Sandown's International Hurdle Race on the favourite, Sheldrake, in 1878. He then followed his father into training and sent out three classic winners.
Young Tom Jennings became a NH jockey who won Sandown's International Hurdle Race on the favourite, Sheldrake, in 1878. He then followed his father into training and sent out three classic winners.
Aged 21 in 1844, Tom (Snr.) arrived from Italy for the Epsom Summer Meeting.
Aged 21 in 1844, Tom (Snr.) arrived from Italy for the Epsom Summer Meeting.
This was, of course, the year in which Running Rein and several other four-year-olds competed for the Derby, all hoping to pull the wool over the stewards' eyes.
This was, of course, the year in which Running Rein and several other four-year-olds competed for the Derby, all hoping to pull the wool over the stewards' eyes.
It was the same in that year's Oaks with two or three fillies of doubtful age entered.
It was the same in that year's Oaks with two or three fillies of doubtful age entered.
One of them was Mr Forth's Julia, which finished fourth.
One of them was Mr Forth's Julia, which finished fourth.
Tom took a fancy to the filly and, with the intention of making a bid for her, went down to Forth's Findon (Worthing) Stables (from where, years later, Bob Gore, Ryan Price & Josh Gifford would send out winners).
Tom took a fancy to the filly and, with the intention of making a bid for her, went down to Forth's Findon (Worthing) Stables (from where, years later, Bob Gore, Ryan Price & Josh Gifford would send out winners).
Knowing the horse's true age, the owner was very cagey over the sale, but Tom assured him that he intended to take the filly abroad where no name or pedigree was required.
Knowing the horse's true age, the owner was very cagey over the sale, but Tom assured him that he intended to take the filly abroad where no name or pedigree was required.
They shook hands at £200 on the understanding that Julia would disappear without trace.
They shook hands at £200 on the understanding that Julia would disappear without trace.
A cloak & dagger operation swung into action and, four days later, a white legged starved looking filly was seen at a Pulborough pub (eleven miles from Findon) tied unattended to a cart.
A cloak & dagger operation swung into action and, four days later, a white legged starved looking filly was seen at a Pulborough pub (eleven miles from Findon) tied unattended to a cart.
The cart, with Julia in tow, was driven to another pub at Horsham. There she was collected by a groom who whisked her into a nearby stable.
The cart, with Julia in tow, was driven to another pub at Horsham. There she was collected by a groom who whisked her into a nearby stable.
When Tom arrived to collect her, the white substance with which her legs had been disguised had almost worn off.
When Tom arrived to collect her, the white substance with which her legs had been disguised had almost worn off.
So emaciated was the filly that Tom had difficulty recognising her.
So emaciated was the filly that Tom had difficulty recognising her.
The tale has a happy ending: once recovered, Julia - ridden by Tom - won many races in Piedmont, Italy.
The tale has a happy ending: once recovered, Julia - ridden by Tom - won many races in Piedmont, Italy.
As a complement to the Italians and because he liked their red, white & green colours, he registered them as his own racing colours when he became an owner.
As a complement to the Italians and because he liked their red, white & green colours, he registered them as his own racing colours when he became an owner.
Tom Jennings died at Newmarket on December 12, 1900, aged 76.
Tom Jennings died at Newmarket on December 12, 1900, aged 76.