Sam Kenyon
1849 - 1872
1849 - 1872
Samuel Kenyon - always known as Sammy to his numerous admirers - was born in Manchester in 1849.
Samuel Kenyon - always known as Sammy to his numerous admirers - was born in Manchester in 1849.
In 1860, after showing a precocious ability in the saddle, the eleven-year-old was sent to the Hednesford stable of T. Cliff where he served his apprenticeship over the following seven years six months. This he completed on October 8, 1867.
In 1860, after showing a precocious ability in the saddle, the eleven-year-old was sent to the Hednesford stable of T. Cliff where he served his apprenticeship over the following seven years six months. This he completed on October 8, 1867.
Such was his ability during this time that, within a few months of starting, he was sent to Ireland to make his racing debut. He was to ride the two-year-old filly, Jeannette, in the Queen's Plate at the Curragh (October 16 1860) over a distance of three miles - some trip for a two-year-old. The filly was set to carry 3st 10 lb including Sammy's bodily weight of 3st 5 lb. Featherweights, as they were then known, were still allowed to race. Following orders, the young jockey cut out the running, leading the pack over the first two miles. At the distance, Daniel - ridden by John Osborne - surged through to win by a length from Sammy, who later said he was 'not a little proud' to have been chosen to ride her.
Such was his ability during this time that, within a few months of starting, he was sent to Ireland to make his racing debut. He was to ride the two-year-old filly, Jeannette, in the Queen's Plate at the Curragh (October 16 1860) over a distance of three miles - some trip for a two-year-old. The filly was set to carry 3st 10 lb including Sammy's bodily weight of 3st 5 lb. Featherweights, as they were then known, were still allowed to race. Following orders, the young jockey cut out the running, leading the pack over the first two miles. At the distance, Daniel - ridden by John Osborne - surged through to win by a length from Sammy, who later said he was 'not a little proud' to have been chosen to ride her.
Somewhat surprisingly, he was only offered one ride the following season: the four-year-old Acre in the Ludlow Handicap on Friday 29 August 1862. Sammy made the most of his opportunity. Taking up the running after just two hundred yards, he won easily in a canter by four lengths from the 6/4 favourite, The Miller, and Octoroon.
Somewhat surprisingly, he was only offered one ride the following season: the four-year-old Acre in the Ludlow Handicap on Friday 29 August 1862. Sammy made the most of his opportunity. Taking up the running after just two hundred yards, he won easily in a canter by four lengths from the 6/4 favourite, The Miller, and Octoroon.
He rode six winners the following season - none of great importance: he was not yet trusted with valuable mounts - and, in 1864, his winning total dropped to just four. Sammy was in danger of becoming another sad statistic - just another apprentice who hadn't made the grade - when, in 1865, his services became in increased demand. He rode more horses for owners unconnected with the Hednesford stable than for those identified with it. Sammy could more than hold his own against more experienced jockeys and excelled in close finishes. From 133 mounts, he won 30 races. He was on his way.
He rode six winners the following season - none of great importance: he was not yet trusted with valuable mounts - and, in 1864, his winning total dropped to just four. Sammy was in danger of becoming another sad statistic - just another apprentice who hadn't made the grade - when, in 1865, his services became in increased demand. He rode more horses for owners unconnected with the Hednesford stable than for those identified with it. Sammy could more than hold his own against more experienced jockeys and excelled in close finishes. From 133 mounts, he won 30 races. He was on his way.
Before the 1866 season got underway, Lord Westmorland entered into an arrangement with Mr Cliff to have first call on Sammy after the stable: the young apprentice responded by riding more winners in the green and white braid colours of Lord Westmorland than he rode for his own stable. His best wins came on Delight in the City & Suburban, Beeswing in the Liverpool Autumn Cup and Rama, on which he won the Goodwood Stakes, Doncaster Cup and the Lewes Handicap. That season he rode a total of 123 winners and became Champion Jockey.
Before the 1866 season got underway, Lord Westmorland entered into an arrangement with Mr Cliff to have first call on Sammy after the stable: the young apprentice responded by riding more winners in the green and white braid colours of Lord Westmorland than he rode for his own stable. His best wins came on Delight in the City & Suburban, Beeswing in the Liverpool Autumn Cup and Rama, on which he won the Goodwood Stakes, Doncaster Cup and the Lewes Handicap. That season he rode a total of 123 winners and became Champion Jockey.
A detailed look at his riding performance during 1867 reveals a further 108 winners. He kicked off as always at Lincoln, riding the favourite, Primrose, in the Trial Stakes. The filly was beaten by both Saccharometer and Honesty. His three other beaten mounts were Indian Star (Trial Handicap), Lady Pam (Lincoln Handicap) and Traviata (Brocklesby). On dismounting the latter he remarked that he 'never did win on the first day of the meeting.'
A detailed look at his riding performance during 1867 reveals a further 108 winners. He kicked off as always at Lincoln, riding the favourite, Primrose, in the Trial Stakes. The filly was beaten by both Saccharometer and Honesty. His three other beaten mounts were Indian Star (Trial Handicap), Lady Pam (Lincoln Handicap) and Traviata (Brocklesby). On dismounting the latter he remarked that he 'never did win on the first day of the meeting.'
His first winner that season came at Nottingham, on Mr Parr's Clarice in the Trial Stakes. He quickly followed up on Captain Machll's Lady Diana. At Derby, he won a selling handicap on St Clair before travelling on to Liverpool where he hit top form. He scored on Sister to Flying Jib (8-1), Ulphus (for Lord Westerland in the Sefton Handicap) and on the two-year-old Queen of the Isles for the same owner. Then he won the Spring Cup on Foresight - he had won the same race the previous season on Jezebel. Next day he rode two of the three flat races held; a Handicap Plate on The Rock and a Ladies' Purse with Isabel.
His first winner that season came at Nottingham, on Mr Parr's Clarice in the Trial Stakes. He quickly followed up on Captain Machll's Lady Diana. At Derby, he won a selling handicap on St Clair before travelling on to Liverpool where he hit top form. He scored on Sister to Flying Jib (8-1), Ulphus (for Lord Westerland in the Sefton Handicap) and on the two-year-old Queen of the Isles for the same owner. Then he won the Spring Cup on Foresight - he had won the same race the previous season on Jezebel. Next day he rode two of the three flat races held; a Handicap Plate on The Rock and a Ladies' Purse with Isabel.
Sam then endured a disappointing Warwick with all seven of his mounts beaten. It was the same story at the Epsom Spring Meeting despite riding several well-backed horses. Then Foresight, the strong favourite for Lewes' Spring Handicap, continued his bad run when failing to outstay the outsider Star Cross. By now, Sam had ridden nineteen consecutive losers, Happily, the sequence was broken on the last day of the Northampton Meeting when he rode Peace to victory in a Selling Race. At this same meeting, Sam had been asked to ride Quick March in the Northamptonshire Stakes. He dismissed her chances, saying she was ' a wretch without a chance.' Sam chose instead to ride Tactitus. Quick March won easily at 50-1.
Sam then endured a disappointing Warwick with all seven of his mounts beaten. It was the same story at the Epsom Spring Meeting despite riding several well-backed horses. Then Foresight, the strong favourite for Lewes' Spring Handicap, continued his bad run when failing to outstay the outsider Star Cross. By now, Sam had ridden nineteen consecutive losers, Happily, the sequence was broken on the last day of the Northampton Meeting when he rode Peace to victory in a Selling Race. At this same meeting, Sam had been asked to ride Quick March in the Northamptonshire Stakes. He dismissed her chances, saying she was ' a wretch without a chance.' Sam chose instead to ride Tactitus. Quick March won easily at 50-1.
Sam fared little better at the Newmarket First Spring Meeting. His fourteen mounts yielded just two winners. He didn't hit top form until travelling on to Chester where rode three consecutive winners - Parma (Eaton Plate), Red Riband (Chesterfield Stakes) and the Santanlla colt in the Selling Stakes. The last race was the closest of the three: Sammy, riding with wonderful patience and judgment, getting up on the line to beat Henry Custance by a short head, bringing a loud cheer from the Stand.
Sam fared little better at the Newmarket First Spring Meeting. His fourteen mounts yielded just two winners. He didn't hit top form until travelling on to Chester where rode three consecutive winners - Parma (Eaton Plate), Red Riband (Chesterfield Stakes) and the Santanlla colt in the Selling Stakes. The last race was the closest of the three: Sammy, riding with wonderful patience and judgment, getting up on the line to beat Henry Custance by a short head, bringing a loud cheer from the Stand.
Sammy was again out of luck at both Ascot's Spring Meeting and York's Spring Meeting: this further run of misfortune (13 losing rides) was broken at Doncaster when he won the Corporation Stakes on La Muette. He then rode a double at Harpenden (Tortuga & Merry Monarch) before shining at Epsom's Summer Meeting with three winners (Osprey, Master Willie and the Annie Laurie colt which stormed home at 100-8).
Sammy was again out of luck at both Ascot's Spring Meeting and York's Spring Meeting: this further run of misfortune (13 losing rides) was broken at Doncaster when he won the Corporation Stakes on La Muette. He then rode a double at Harpenden (Tortuga & Merry Monarch) before shining at Epsom's Summer Meeting with three winners (Osprey, Master Willie and the Annie Laurie colt which stormed home at 100-8).
He rode just two winners at Ascot's June Meeting; Tregeagle in the Fifth Biennial Stakes and th First-Class Wokingham Stakes with Bounceaway. Continuing his fine summer form, Sammy won on Seringatapam at Windsor and rode a treble at Manchester. And so the winners continued to flow right up to Goodwood.
He rode just two winners at Ascot's June Meeting; Tregeagle in the Fifth Biennial Stakes and th First-Class Wokingham Stakes with Bounceaway. Continuing his fine summer form, Sammy won on Seringatapam at Windsor and rode a treble at Manchester. And so the winners continued to flow right up to Goodwood.
It was here that the news leaked out - that Sammy had been 'sweating like mad' to ride something in the Sewards' Cup. But which horse was he to ride? Suddenly a mysterious animal was seen walking about with Goater's string, but the most assiduous training reporters were unable to identify it. The Ring formed a market on the race and was virtually knocked over in the rush to back the three-year-old Tibthorpe, set to carry 5st 7lb. Good odds were at first laid but sustained and heavy betting forced its price down to 100-30, a short enough price in a 35-runner handicap. It was, indeed, the horse that Sammy was to ride, but although he abstained from food for three days in an endeavour to reduce himself to 5st 7lb, he failed to get within 3lb of the weight. It made not the slightest difference. Sammy jumped Tibthorpe off in front and, making very yard, won easily by four lengths. The starving jockey then treated himself to a rare feast in the weighing-room. Unfortunately, the wasting had taken a heavy toll on the skinny youngster and he was unable to ride during the Brighton, Lewes, Chesterfield or Egham meetings. His next appearance came at Wolverhampton where he showed his well-being with a first-day double on Honeymoon in the Stakes and Alice Lee in the Stewards' Plate. Next day he won on Parais in the Borough Members' Plate.
It was here that the news leaked out - that Sammy had been 'sweating like mad' to ride something in the Sewards' Cup. But which horse was he to ride? Suddenly a mysterious animal was seen walking about with Goater's string, but the most assiduous training reporters were unable to identify it. The Ring formed a market on the race and was virtually knocked over in the rush to back the three-year-old Tibthorpe, set to carry 5st 7lb. Good odds were at first laid but sustained and heavy betting forced its price down to 100-30, a short enough price in a 35-runner handicap. It was, indeed, the horse that Sammy was to ride, but although he abstained from food for three days in an endeavour to reduce himself to 5st 7lb, he failed to get within 3lb of the weight. It made not the slightest difference. Sammy jumped Tibthorpe off in front and, making very yard, won easily by four lengths. The starving jockey then treated himself to a rare feast in the weighing-room. Unfortunately, the wasting had taken a heavy toll on the skinny youngster and he was unable to ride during the Brighton, Lewes, Chesterfield or Egham meetings. His next appearance came at Wolverhampton where he showed his well-being with a first-day double on Honeymoon in the Stakes and Alice Lee in the Stewards' Plate. Next day he won on Parais in the Borough Members' Plate.
And so, with varying degrees of success, Sammy chased the racing circuit. He rode, in the following order, at Derby, Lichfield, Warwick, Abingdon and Doncaster, where he rode Achievement to victory in the Doncaster Cup. It was Sammy's first appearance in Colonel Pearson's 'chevrons' and, in winning, Achievement defeated Derby-winner Hermit and the likes of the brilliant stayers Beeswing, Tynedale, Goodwood, Strathconan and Gomers. Sammy said later that this was the undoubted highlight of his season.
And so, with varying degrees of success, Sammy chased the racing circuit. He rode, in the following order, at Derby, Lichfield, Warwick, Abingdon and Doncaster, where he rode Achievement to victory in the Doncaster Cup. It was Sammy's first appearance in Colonel Pearson's 'chevrons' and, in winning, Achievement defeated Derby-winner Hermit and the likes of the brilliant stayers Beeswing, Tynedale, Goodwood, Strathconan and Gomers. Sammy said later that this was the undoubted highlight of his season.
As the racing year drew to a close, Sammy then rode five winners out of eleven mounts at Newmarket. He next appeared at Northampton Autumn, and rode four winners.
As the racing year drew to a close, Sammy then rode five winners out of eleven mounts at Newmarket. He next appeared at Northampton Autumn, and rode four winners.
Sammy excelled at Newmarket's Second October Meeting: having landed a lot of place money on Romping Girl in the Cesarewitch, he won the Middle Park Stakes on Green Sleeve by a head. He commented after the race: 'Only think of me, the light-weight, riding the winner of the Middle Park Plate!' Then came the Cambridgeshire, which resulted in a memorable dead-heat. Both jockeys - Sammy on Wolsey and Sam Adams on Lozenge - rode in contravention of their orders, producing this result. Sam Adams went into the record books after winning the deciding heat.
Sammy excelled at Newmarket's Second October Meeting: having landed a lot of place money on Romping Girl in the Cesarewitch, he won the Middle Park Stakes on Green Sleeve by a head. He commented after the race: 'Only think of me, the light-weight, riding the winner of the Middle Park Plate!' Then came the Cambridgeshire, which resulted in a memorable dead-heat. Both jockeys - Sammy on Wolsey and Sam Adams on Lozenge - rode in contravention of their orders, producing this result. Sam Adams went into the record books after winning the deciding heat.
After visits to Worcester, Liverpool, Shrewsbury and Warwick, Sammy's season came to an end. He had ridden in 427 races of which he'd won 108. He'd come second on 84 occasions and third on 49.
After visits to Worcester, Liverpool, Shrewsbury and Warwick, Sammy's season came to an end. He had ridden in 427 races of which he'd won 108. He'd come second on 84 occasions and third on 49.
1868 saw him win a further 110 races, and he should have ridden on for many more years but already the end was in sight. He had put on precisely a stone since winning a Feather Plate at the start of the season.
1868 saw him win a further 110 races, and he should have ridden on for many more years but already the end was in sight. He had put on precisely a stone since winning a Feather Plate at the start of the season.
1869 could not have started worse for him. Unrealistically, he became highly indignant when booked to ride the volatile Mr Merry’s colt Belladrum in the 2,000 Guineas. Belladrum was well-known to be a roarer and trainer James Waugh instructed Sam to hold the horse up to conserve its wind. In complete contravention to his orders, Sam jumped the horse off in front to try to make all the running – and very nearly got home. He was collared on the line by Pretender. Had he obeyed orders and ridden a waiting race, he would have won easily.
1869 could not have started worse for him. Unrealistically, he became highly indignant when booked to ride the volatile Mr Merry’s colt Belladrum in the 2,000 Guineas. Belladrum was well-known to be a roarer and trainer James Waugh instructed Sam to hold the horse up to conserve its wind. In complete contravention to his orders, Sam jumped the horse off in front to try to make all the running – and very nearly got home. He was collared on the line by Pretender. Had he obeyed orders and ridden a waiting race, he would have won easily.
In 1871, he rode just sixteen winners. Switching to hurdles, he won on his first-ever ride: Young Rose at Walsall on October 3.
In 1871, he rode just sixteen winners. Switching to hurdles, he won on his first-ever ride: Young Rose at Walsall on October 3.
At the end of May 1872, Sammy Kenyon became violently ill, and in Southport, on Saturday 17 July, at seven in the morning, the 23-year-old passed away with what then was known as 'galloping consumption' (tuberculosis).
At the end of May 1872, Sammy Kenyon became violently ill, and in Southport, on Saturday 17 July, at seven in the morning, the 23-year-old passed away with what then was known as 'galloping consumption' (tuberculosis).
Sammy left over £3,000. He never married.
Sammy left over £3,000. He never married.
Biggest wins:
Biggest wins:
1866: City & Suburban - Delight
1866: City & Suburban - Delight
1866: Goodwood Stakes -Rama
1866: Goodwood Stakes -Rama
1866: Manchester Cup -Retrousse
1866: Manchester Cup -Retrousse
1866: Doncaster Cup - Rama
1866: Doncaster Cup - Rama
1866: Liverpool Autumn Cup - Beeswing
1866: Liverpool Autumn Cup - Beeswing
1867: Doncaster Cup - Achievement
1867: Doncaster Cup - Achievement
1867: Stewards' Cup - Tibthorpe
1867: Stewards' Cup - Tibthorpe
1867: Middle Park Stakes - Green Sleeve
1867: Middle Park Stakes - Green Sleeve
1868: Goodwood Cup - Speculum
1868: Goodwood Cup - Speculum
1868: Ascot Stakes - Emigration
1868: Ascot Stakes - Emigration