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Hon. George Lambton
Hon. George Lambton
1860-1945
1860-1945
Born on November 23, 1860, the fifth son of the 2nd Earl of Durham, George Lambton was involved in racing for over 65 years as an amateur rider, owner and trainer. Though far better known for his success in the latter sphere, he nonetheless enjoyed significant success in the saddle prior to commencing his Classic-winning training career.
Born on November 23, 1860, the fifth son of the 2nd Earl of Durham, George Lambton was involved in racing for over 65 years as an amateur rider, owner and trainer. Though far better known for his success in the latter sphere, he nonetheless enjoyed significant success in the saddle prior to commencing his Classic-winning training career.
He rode his first winner at Nottingham on October 5, 1880 on Pompeia, upsetting by a neck a 3-1 on favourite ridden by Arthur Coventry. Pompeia also gave him his second winner, at Winchester in June 1881.
He rode his first winner at Nottingham on October 5, 1880 on Pompeia, upsetting by a neck a 3-1 on favourite ridden by Arthur Coventry. Pompeia also gave him his second winner, at Winchester in June 1881.
On the first day of Lincoln’s Autumn Meeting later that year, he won a selling hurdle on a four-year-old called Pudding. A local farmer bought the horse for 168 guineas and was keen to run him in a three-mile steeplechase there the next day. As the course was so stiff, none of the top jockeys was keen to ride the horse, so Lambton retained the partnership. Despite making a bad mistake at the first fence, Pudding never put a foot wrong thereafter and won in a canter at 12-1.
On the first day of Lincoln’s Autumn Meeting later that year, he won a selling hurdle on a four-year-old called Pudding. A local farmer bought the horse for 168 guineas and was keen to run him in a three-mile steeplechase there the next day. As the course was so stiff, none of the top jockeys was keen to ride the horse, so Lambton retained the partnership. Despite making a bad mistake at the first fence, Pudding never put a foot wrong thereafter and won in a canter at 12-1.
Lambton quickly became a leading amateur rider, finishing second in the 1883 National Hunt jockeys’ table with 24 wins. He rode in five successive Grand Nationals, completing the course eighth of nine finishers on the mare Lioness, trained by Alfred Sadler, on the first occasion in 1885. The following day, he rode The Captain for the Duke of Hamilton in the Champion Chase, standing in for the incapacitated Dan Thirlwell. In a tight finish, The Captain prevailed by a length from Harry Beasley on Chancery.
Lambton quickly became a leading amateur rider, finishing second in the 1883 National Hunt jockeys’ table with 24 wins. He rode in five successive Grand Nationals, completing the course eighth of nine finishers on the mare Lioness, trained by Alfred Sadler, on the first occasion in 1885. The following day, he rode The Captain for the Duke of Hamilton in the Champion Chase, standing in for the incapacitated Dan Thirlwell. In a tight finish, The Captain prevailed by a length from Harry Beasley on Chancery.
He again completed the course in the 1886 Grand National, this time on Redpath, but his other three attempts ended in falls. In 1887 he rode Bellona, on whom he had won the Grand International Hurdle at Croydon in heavy ground earlier that month, but she fell at the second fence. In 1888 he looked like winning on Savoyard, only to fall at the second last fence when in front. He rode Savoyard again in 1889 but was unluckily brought down at the second fence.
He again completed the course in the 1886 Grand National, this time on Redpath, but his other three attempts ended in falls. In 1887 he rode Bellona, on whom he had won the Grand International Hurdle at Croydon in heavy ground earlier that month, but she fell at the second fence. In 1888 he looked like winning on Savoyard, only to fall at the second last fence when in front. He rode Savoyard again in 1889 but was unluckily brought down at the second fence.
Although he did not win the Grand National itself, he did ride other winners over the Aintree fences. In addition to The Captain’s Champion Chase success, Lambton won the Liverpool Hunt Chase and the Hoylake Hunt Chase on St Galmier and the Hapsburg Chase on Savoyard. He was also placed twice in the Grand Sefton Chase and placed three times in the Liverpool Hurdle.
Although he did not win the Grand National itself, he did ride other winners over the Aintree fences. In addition to The Captain’s Champion Chase success, Lambton won the Liverpool Hunt Chase and the Hoylake Hunt Chase on St Galmier and the Hapsburg Chase on Savoyard. He was also placed twice in the Grand Sefton Chase and placed three times in the Liverpool Hurdle.
He gained his most important triumphs in 1888, winning the National Hunt Chase, run that year at Sandown Park, on Glen Thorpe, and the Grand Steeplechase de Paris on Parasang. That was also his most successful season numerically with a total of 26 wins.
He gained his most important triumphs in 1888, winning the National Hunt Chase, run that year at Sandown Park, on Glen Thorpe, and the Grand Steeplechase de Paris on Parasang. That was also his most successful season numerically with a total of 26 wins.
In February 1892 he suffered a bad fall from Hollingdale in a three-mile chase at Sandown which would have lasting effects. Although he had a few more rides thereafter and even rode a winner – Lady Sarah in the Maiden National Hunt Flat Race at Derby on March 13, 1892 – inflammation of the spine set in, necessitating him to lie on his back for months and terminating his career in the saddle. For the record, his final mount was Welcome Jack, who finished second, beaten seven lengths, in the Selling National Hunt Flat Race at Derby on April 22, 1892.
In February 1892 he suffered a bad fall from Hollingdale in a three-mile chase at Sandown which would have lasting effects. Although he had a few more rides thereafter and even rode a winner – Lady Sarah in the Maiden National Hunt Flat Race at Derby on March 13, 1892 – inflammation of the spine set in, necessitating him to lie on his back for months and terminating his career in the saddle. For the record, his final mount was Welcome Jack, who finished second, beaten seven lengths, in the Selling National Hunt Flat Race at Derby on April 22, 1892.
He began training at Newmarket later that year and was immediately successful, so much so that in 1893 he accepted an offer to become private trainer to Lord Derby, who was keen to renew his family’s racing connection. Based at Lord Derby’s stable at Bedford Lodge, one of his first acts was to purchase Canterbury Pilgrim at the sale of the Duchess of Montrose’s yearlings. She gave Lambton and Lord Derby their first classic success in the 1896 Oaks.
He began training at Newmarket later that year and was immediately successful, so much so that in 1893 he accepted an offer to become private trainer to Lord Derby, who was keen to renew his family’s racing connection. Based at Lord Derby’s stable at Bedford Lodge, one of his first acts was to purchase Canterbury Pilgrim at the sale of the Duchess of Montrose’s yearlings. She gave Lambton and Lord Derby their first classic success in the 1896 Oaks.
Lambton elevated the status of his profession and was largely responsible for eliminating the practice of doping horses, employed by several newly-arrived American trainers at the turn of the century. By 1903 it had become a serious problem but the Jockey Club’s stewards regarded it as being of little concern. Lambton informed them that he intended to dope five of his horses who had shown little ability in their previous races. They all showed dramatic improvement, four of them winning, the other finishing second. The following year, doping was made an offence punishable by the warning off of the trainer.
Lambton elevated the status of his profession and was largely responsible for eliminating the practice of doping horses, employed by several newly-arrived American trainers at the turn of the century. By 1903 it had become a serious problem but the Jockey Club’s stewards regarded it as being of little concern. Lambton informed them that he intended to dope five of his horses who had shown little ability in their previous races. They all showed dramatic improvement, four of them winning, the other finishing second. The following year, doping was made an offence punishable by the warning off of the trainer.
By then, Lambton had moved to Stanley House stables, which had been purchased by Lord Derby. From there he sent out Keystone II to win the 1906 Oaks and finished the season as leading trainer. Following Lord Derby’s death in 1908, the title was inherited by his eldest son, the 17th Earl, for whom Lambton trained Swynford to win the 1910 St Leger.
By then, Lambton had moved to Stanley House stables, which had been purchased by Lord Derby. From there he sent out Keystone II to win the 1906 Oaks and finished the season as leading trainer. Following Lord Derby’s death in 1908, the title was inherited by his eldest son, the 17th Earl, for whom Lambton trained Swynford to win the 1910 St Leger.
He won three consecutive wartime 1,000 Guineas with Canyon, Diadem and Ferry and the 1919 St Leger with Keysoe. In 1924 he gave Lord Derby his first Derby winner with Sansovino.
He won three consecutive wartime 1,000 Guineas with Canyon, Diadem and Ferry and the 1919 St Leger with Keysoe. In 1924 he gave Lord Derby his first Derby winner with Sansovino.
By the time he won the 1926 St Leger with Colorado, Lambton was 66. He retired at the end of that season but resumed training in 1930. Three years later he won the Derby and St Leger with Lord Derby’s Hyperion.
By the time he won the 1926 St Leger with Colorado, Lambton was 66. He retired at the end of that season but resumed training in 1930. Three years later he won the Derby and St Leger with Lord Derby’s Hyperion.
Despite having been considered by Lord Derby as being too old to run a large stable, at the age of 73 Lambton opened a public stable at Kremlin House, Newmarket. In 1938 he saddled Lapel to win the Free Handicap and Irish 1,000 Guineas. He trained his last winner only a few days before his death on July 23, 1945, aged 84.
Despite having been considered by Lord Derby as being too old to run a large stable, at the age of 73 Lambton opened a public stable at Kremlin House, Newmarket. In 1938 he saddled Lapel to win the Free Handicap and Irish 1,000 Guineas. He trained his last winner only a few days before his death on July 23, 1945, aged 84.
Lambton’s autobiography, ‘Men and Horses I Have Known’, is considered a classic among racing literature.
Lambton’s autobiography, ‘Men and Horses I Have Known’, is considered a classic among racing literature.
George Lambton’s big race winners as an amateur rider were:
George Lambton’s big race winners as an amateur rider were:
1885: Champion Chase – The Captain
1885: Champion Chase – The Captain
1887: Grand International Hurdle – Bellona
1887: Grand International Hurdle – Bellona
1887: Hoylake Hunt Chase – St Galmier
1887: Hoylake Hunt Chase – St Galmier
1888: Hapsburg Chase – Savoyard
1888: Hapsburg Chase – Savoyard
1888: National Hunt Chase – Glen Thorpe
1888: National Hunt Chase – Glen Thorpe
1888: Grand Steeplechase de Paris – Parasang
1888: Grand Steeplechase de Paris – Parasang
1889: Hoylake Hunt Chase – St Galmier
1889: Hoylake Hunt Chase – St Galmier
Article based on Chris Pitt’s profile of George Lambton for Great British Racing’s online Hall of Fame. Additional material relating to his career as an amateur rider supplied by Alan Trout.
Article based on Chris Pitt’s profile of George Lambton for Great British Racing’s online Hall of Fame. Additional material relating to his career as an amateur rider supplied by Alan Trout.
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