William Jenkins
1842 - 1916
1842 - 1916
The son of John Jenkins of Caerleon, Monmouth, William Henry Philips Jenkins was born at Newport on October 20 1842, and received his early education at Rugby before going on to Merton College, Oxford. Whilst at Oxford, he divided his free time between boxing and steeplechase riding, and was equally good at both.
The son of John Jenkins of Caerleon, Monmouth, William Henry Philips Jenkins was born at Newport on October 20 1842, and received his early education at Rugby before going on to Merton College, Oxford. Whilst at Oxford, he divided his free time between boxing and steeplechase riding, and was equally good at both.
To conceal his identity from the Dons, he adopted another name for racing purposes – the sport was generally frowned upon – and called himself Peter Merton (after the college).
To conceal his identity from the Dons, he adopted another name for racing purposes – the sport was generally frowned upon – and called himself Peter Merton (after the college).
He rode his first winner – a mare called Crinoline – at Cardiff in 1861.
He rode his first winner – a mare called Crinoline – at Cardiff in 1861.
A fellow graduate, Mr J. J. Atkinson (known as Mr Doncaster) owned a horse called The Robber which won no fewer than 28 races in nearly all of which he was ridden by 'Mr P Merton'. The partnership were entered at Liverpool in 1869, and finished 8th behind the Colonel. This was Mr Merton's only ride in the National.
A fellow graduate, Mr J. J. Atkinson (known as Mr Doncaster) owned a horse called The Robber which won no fewer than 28 races in nearly all of which he was ridden by 'Mr P Merton'. The partnership were entered at Liverpool in 1869, and finished 8th behind the Colonel. This was Mr Merton's only ride in the National.
In a race in Gloucestershire, Peter Merton objected to the winner on the ground of foul riding. The stewards were unable to agree, and told the disputants to toss up a coin. This they did – Peter called the wrong way and remained as runner-up.
In a race in Gloucestershire, Peter Merton objected to the winner on the ground of foul riding. The stewards were unable to agree, and told the disputants to toss up a coin. This they did – Peter called the wrong way and remained as runner-up.
On his secession from the saddle, Mr Merton took to training horses for himself and his friends. His biggest victory came at Liverpool when saddling Zoedone to win the 1883 Grand National.
On his secession from the saddle, Mr Merton took to training horses for himself and his friends. His biggest victory came at Liverpool when saddling Zoedone to win the 1883 Grand National.
Mr Jenkins married Lady Caroline Anne Villiers in 1872: they moved to live in Frenchay Park, Bristol.
Mr Jenkins married Lady Caroline Anne Villiers in 1872: they moved to live in Frenchay Park, Bristol.
He died on December 26, 1916. He left £76,061.
He died on December 26, 1916. He left £76,061.