Sam King
1777 - 1864
1777 - 1864
Samuel (Sam) King was born at Northcote, near Masham, in Yorkshire in 1777. When aged 12 he was apprenticed to trainer John Mangles. He is best known for his association with a horse named Catton, on whom he won eleven consecutive races.
Samuel (Sam) King was born at Northcote, near Masham, in Yorkshire in 1777. When aged 12 he was apprenticed to trainer John Mangles. He is best known for his association with a horse named Catton, on whom he won eleven consecutive races.
Catton, a bay colt by Golumpus, was foaled in 1809 and owned by the Earl of Scarborough. Unraced at two, he made a winning debut in a two-mile sweepstakes of 50gns for three-year-olds at York in August 1812. He then finished unplaced in the St Leger.
Catton, a bay colt by Golumpus, was foaled in 1809 and owned by the Earl of Scarborough. Unraced at two, he made a winning debut in a two-mile sweepstakes of 50gns for three-year-olds at York in August 1812. He then finished unplaced in the St Leger.
Following that St Leger defeat, Catton entered a rich vein of form. Over the course of the next two years he ran sixteen times, winning nine, finishing second six times and only once unplaced. His victories included His Majesty’s Plate at York, the Northumberland Stakes at Newcastle, and the Fitzwilliam Stakes at Doncaster, winning over distances ranging from a mile and a half to four miles.
Following that St Leger defeat, Catton entered a rich vein of form. Over the course of the next two years he ran sixteen times, winning nine, finishing second six times and only once unplaced. His victories included His Majesty’s Plate at York, the Northumberland Stakes at Newcastle, and the Fitzwilliam Stakes at Doncaster, winning over distances ranging from a mile and a half to four miles.
It was as a six-year-old in 1815 that Catton paired up with jockey Sam King. They began by winning the three-mile York Gold Cup on May 30, following up 24 hours later in the Constitution Stakes over a mile and a quarter.
It was as a six-year-old in 1815 that Catton paired up with jockey Sam King. They began by winning the three-mile York Gold Cup on May 30, following up 24 hours later in the Constitution Stakes over a mile and a quarter.
Returning to York for its four-day August meeting, Sam and Catton won a two-mile Subscription race of 25gns on the first day and a four-mile contest for six-year-olds and upwards on the last day.
Returning to York for its four-day August meeting, Sam and Catton won a two-mile Subscription race of 25gns on the first day and a four-mile contest for six-year-olds and upwards on the last day.
At Doncaster on September 27 they performed the remarkable feat of winning two four-mile races on the same day (below) beginning with the Doncaster Gold Cup, worth over 100gns, and then the Doncaster Stakes of 10gns with 20gns added by the Corporation.
At Doncaster on September 27 they performed the remarkable feat of winning two four-mile races on the same day (below) beginning with the Doncaster Gold Cup, worth over 100gns, and then the Doncaster Stakes of 10gns with 20gns added by the Corporation.
That was it for 1815 but their winning streak continued the following year. They registered a second York Gold Cup victory in May and followed that by landing the four-mile Newcastle Gold Cup in June. They again scored twice at York’s August fixture, winning a two-mile Subscription race of 25gns and being handed a walkover for the four-mile City Plate.
That was it for 1815 but their winning streak continued the following year. They registered a second York Gold Cup victory in May and followed that by landing the four-mile Newcastle Gold Cup in June. They again scored twice at York’s August fixture, winning a two-mile Subscription race of 25gns and being handed a walkover for the four-mile City Plate.
Victory number eleven was gained in the four-mile Doncaster Stakes on September 25, 1816. But the winning streak came to an end the next day when Catton and Sam King finished second in the two-mile Doncaster Club Stakes.
Victory number eleven was gained in the four-mile Doncaster Stakes on September 25, 1816. But the winning streak came to an end the next day when Catton and Sam King finished second in the two-mile Doncaster Club Stakes.
Following that defeat, Catton was retired to Mr Smallwood’s stud at Middlethorpe at a fee of 10gns the mare and 10s 6d the groom.
Following that defeat, Catton was retired to Mr Smallwood’s stud at Middlethorpe at a fee of 10gns the mare and 10s 6d the groom.
As for Sam King, he died in Doncaster on June 18, 1864, aged 87, a good age for the time.
As for Sam King, he died in Doncaster on June 18, 1864, aged 87, a good age for the time.