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Sammy Loates was born in Derby on January 29 1864 at the house of his father, Archibald.
Sammy Loates was born in Derby on January 29 1864 at the house of his father, Archibald.
Baptized on Nov 25th 1866, Sam had dark eyebrows, heavily lidded eyes and a bulging upper lip which combined to give him a somewhat gloomy appearance.
Baptized on Nov 25th 1866, Sam had dark eyebrows, heavily lidded eyes and a bulging upper lip which combined to give him a somewhat gloomy appearance.
In February 1879, he became apprenticed to Newmarket trainer Joseph Dawson, who died before his apprenticeship was completed.
In February 1879, he became apprenticed to Newmarket trainer Joseph Dawson, who died before his apprenticeship was completed.
Sammy debuted at Derby’s September Meeting of 1881. Wearing the colours of Mr C. Gregory, he was unplaced on Early Bird.
Sammy debuted at Derby’s September Meeting of 1881. Wearing the colours of Mr C. Gregory, he was unplaced on Early Bird.
He rode his first winner on May 2 the following season when scoring on the 6-1 shot Sir Robert in a field of four at Chester. Later that month he was unlucky in the Kempton Park Stewards’ Cup, finishing a good second on Augevin behind Lowland Chief, ridden by George Barrett. Sammy’s objection on the grounds of foul riding was overruled.
He rode his first winner on May 2 the following season when scoring on the 6-1 shot Sir Robert in a field of four at Chester. Later that month he was unlucky in the Kempton Park Stewards’ Cup, finishing a good second on Augevin behind Lowland Chief, ridden by George Barrett. Sammy’s objection on the grounds of foul riding was overruled.
He gained his first important success on Winterbourne in Kempton Park’s July Handicap, getting home by a neck from Edelweiss and Sutler - no mean feat for a youngster as the second and third were ridden by Charles Wood and Fred Archer respectively.
He gained his first important success on Winterbourne in Kempton Park’s July Handicap, getting home by a neck from Edelweiss and Sutler - no mean feat for a youngster as the second and third were ridden by Charles Wood and Fred Archer respectively.
Perhaps his greatest win that year came on Hackness in the Cambridgeshire which, on account of a severe storm, had been postponed from the Tuesday. The runners had actually got to the post before racing was called off. In the event, the heavily backed Hackness romped home from a large field.
Perhaps his greatest win that year came on Hackness in the Cambridgeshire which, on account of a severe storm, had been postponed from the Tuesday. The runners had actually got to the post before racing was called off. In the event, the heavily backed Hackness romped home from a large field.
In what may be practically described as his first season, he did remarkably well, scoring 39. successes from 213 rides. It should also be noted that 37 of his 39 winning rides came after August 7. Such a rapid rise to the front was then almost without precedent.
In what may be practically described as his first season, he did remarkably well, scoring 39. successes from 213 rides. It should also be noted that 37 of his 39 winning rides came after August 7. Such a rapid rise to the front was then almost without precedent.
The 1893 season began on Easter Monday at Kempton. Out of luck there, Sammy moved on to Lincoln where he won the Lincoln Cup for Mr Leopold de Rothschild on Kœnigin. He was unplaced on the American-bred Aranza in the Lincoln Handicap before, later that week, winning the Liverpool Spring Cup on Picador. Next came success in the Great Northamptonshire Stakes on Glenluce.
The 1893 season began on Easter Monday at Kempton. Out of luck there, Sammy moved on to Lincoln where he won the Lincoln Cup for Mr Leopold de Rothschild on Kœnigin. He was unplaced on the American-bred Aranza in the Lincoln Handicap before, later that week, winning the Liverpool Spring Cup on Picador. Next came success in the Great Northamptonshire Stakes on Glenluce.
Moving on to Croydon, Sammy won the Great ‘Welcomes’ Handicap on Ironclad.
Moving on to Croydon, Sammy won the Great ‘Welcomes’ Handicap on Ironclad.
Wearing the primrose and white hoops of Lord Roseberry, Sammy then won Epsom’s Great Metropolitan Stakes on Vista.
Wearing the primrose and white hoops of Lord Roseberry, Sammy then won Epsom’s Great Metropolitan Stakes on Vista.
At Newmarket’s Spring Meeting, his only success was on Biserta in a Welter Handicap Plate; it was on the same horse later at Chester that he won the main handicap.
At Newmarket’s Spring Meeting, his only success was on Biserta in a Welter Handicap Plate; it was on the same horse later at Chester that he won the main handicap.
After several minor wins at various courses, he moved on to the Epsom Summer meeting which he started well by winning the Craven Stakes on Montroyd. He then had a leg-up on his first-ever Derby mount, Sigmophone, a horse which was affected in his pipes and ran badly. Sammy was back in the winners’ circle the next day after winning a Welter Handicap Plate on Narcissa. William Day’s Captive Queen ran poorly for Sammy in the Oaks, but then Nihilism won the Selling Handicap Plate, thus giving the jockey victory in the first and the last races of the meeting.
After several minor wins at various courses, he moved on to the Epsom Summer meeting which he started well by winning the Craven Stakes on Montroyd. He then had a leg-up on his first-ever Derby mount, Sigmophone, a horse which was affected in his pipes and ran badly. Sammy was back in the winners’ circle the next day after winning a Welter Handicap Plate on Narcissa. William Day’s Captive Queen ran poorly for Sammy in the Oaks, but then Nihilism won the Selling Handicap Plate, thus giving the jockey victory in the first and the last races of the meeting.
The Croydon Summer Meeting brought him success in both the Woodside Plate and the Wickham Handicap and his luck held at Kempton when he landed a treble on the opening day.
The Croydon Summer Meeting brought him success in both the Woodside Plate and the Wickham Handicap and his luck held at Kempton when he landed a treble on the opening day.
Fast-forwarding to York’s August Meeting, he scored his first big two-year-old success on Royal Fern in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, At Doncaster in September, he won the Great Yorkshire Handicap on Vista.
Fast-forwarding to York’s August Meeting, he scored his first big two-year-old success on Royal Fern in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, At Doncaster in September, he won the Great Yorkshire Handicap on Vista.
In October, he was back at Newmarket, winning on Vanderhum, Gamelius, Tombola and Loch Ranza. In the closing week of the season he won the Worsley Nursery Handicap on Miss Waller giving him a seasonal score of 77 wins from 483 rides.
In October, he was back at Newmarket, winning on Vanderhum, Gamelius, Tombola and Loch Ranza. In the closing week of the season he won the Worsley Nursery Handicap on Miss Waller giving him a seasonal score of 77 wins from 483 rides.
In 1884 - in which, curiously, Sammy won an identical number of races (77) - trainer Jewitt had three runners entered for the Derby. Fred Archer chose to ride St. Medard, Webb was on Queen Adelaide and Sammy was left to pick up the pieces on ‘no-hoper’ Harvester. Their dead-heat with Charles Wood on St Gatien was one long-remembered.
In 1884 - in which, curiously, Sammy won an identical number of races (77) - trainer Jewitt had three runners entered for the Derby. Fred Archer chose to ride St. Medard, Webb was on Queen Adelaide and Sammy was left to pick up the pieces on ‘no-hoper’ Harvester. Their dead-heat with Charles Wood on St Gatien was one long-remembered.
Then, disaster. He lost his temper after a close finish at Scarborough and his licence was withdrawn. Consequently, he only rode 24 winners that year from 232 mounts. He was then obliged to sit out the whole of the following season as again he was refused the necessary passport.
Then, disaster. He lost his temper after a close finish at Scarborough and his licence was withdrawn. Consequently, he only rode 24 winners that year from 232 mounts. He was then obliged to sit out the whole of the following season as again he was refused the necessary passport.
He returned in 1887 to ride 81 winners from 406 rides, including the City and Suburban on Merry Duchess.
He returned in 1887 to ride 81 winners from 406 rides, including the City and Suburban on Merry Duchess.
In1899, he became champion jockey with 160 winners.
In1899, he became champion jockey with 160 winners.
Sammy Loates rode in the era of Tod Sloan and was accustomed to riding in the old English style, with very long leathers. His friends on one occasion persuaded him to ride with short leathers, thereby adopting the monkey crouch made so effective by Sloan.
Sammy Loates rode in the era of Tod Sloan and was accustomed to riding in the old English style, with very long leathers. His friends on one occasion persuaded him to ride with short leathers, thereby adopting the monkey crouch made so effective by Sloan.
Sat uncomfortably with his legs forced up under his chin, Sammy found himself in front with a furlong to go. Sloan drew up alongside him and looked all over the winner. Sammy tried to bring his whip into play but found the short stirrups cramped his style. He pulled his feet out of the irons, sat back and yelled ‘Here’s one for old England’ and, giving his mount a terrific cut of the whip, got up on the line.
Sat uncomfortably with his legs forced up under his chin, Sammy found himself in front with a furlong to go. Sloan drew up alongside him and looked all over the winner. Sammy tried to bring his whip into play but found the short stirrups cramped his style. He pulled his feet out of the irons, sat back and yelled ‘Here’s one for old England’ and, giving his mount a terrific cut of the whip, got up on the line.
But Sammy was a quick learner and was the first of the English jockeys to recognise the genius of Tod Sloan. He changed his methods to a large degree to those of the great American rider.
But Sammy was a quick learner and was the first of the English jockeys to recognise the genius of Tod Sloan. He changed his methods to a large degree to those of the great American rider.
Sammy and Sloan once rode in a match at Gatwick on two notoriously bad horses, Rowanberry and Shepperton. Both jockeys rode with extra short leathers and the forward seat, and although Sloan, who was a remarkably fine judge of pace, held the lead near the finish, Sammy beat him a neck, and was afterwards presented with the horse.
Sammy and Sloan once rode in a match at Gatwick on two notoriously bad horses, Rowanberry and Shepperton. Both jockeys rode with extra short leathers and the forward seat, and although Sloan, who was a remarkably fine judge of pace, held the lead near the finish, Sammy beat him a neck, and was afterwards presented with the horse.
One of the most dramatic incidents in Loates’s career happened in the Liverpool Cup of 1896, when Birchwood, ridden by his brother Tommy Loates, fell directly in the path of Sammy’s mount, Count Schomberg. Luckily, Count Schomberg – who was in later life to win many top hurdle races – was a natural jumper. He leapt effortlessly over the stricken Birchwood, and won the race.
One of the most dramatic incidents in Loates’s career happened in the Liverpool Cup of 1896, when Birchwood, ridden by his brother Tommy Loates, fell directly in the path of Sammy’s mount, Count Schomberg. Luckily, Count Schomberg – who was in later life to win many top hurdle races – was a natural jumper. He leapt effortlessly over the stricken Birchwood, and won the race.
In March 5th 1903, Sammy brought an action against Sir John Blundell Mape, seeking to recover £300 under an agreement made on October 28 1899 by which Sammy was retained for three years. During that time, it had been agreed, Loates was to make no charge for riding trials but was to receive £2,000 to be paid at the start of the racing season and £1,000 at the close. Sir John was also to pay him £25 per winner, plus travelling expenses. However, Loates met with a severe accident rendering him unable to ride. (He had been thrown from his horse after it had collided with a spectator at the Northampton and Pytchely Hunt leaving him with a broken thigh and collar-bone.) Sir John wanted to put an end to the agreement. Sammy won the action when Mr Justice Wright decided that he was entitled, under the contract, to his retaining fee of £2,000 for the year 1902.
In March 5th 1903, Sammy brought an action against Sir John Blundell Mape, seeking to recover £300 under an agreement made on October 28 1899 by which Sammy was retained for three years. During that time, it had been agreed, Loates was to make no charge for riding trials but was to receive £2,000 to be paid at the start of the racing season and £1,000 at the close. Sir John was also to pay him £25 per winner, plus travelling expenses. However, Loates met with a severe accident rendering him unable to ride. (He had been thrown from his horse after it had collided with a spectator at the Northampton and Pytchely Hunt leaving him with a broken thigh and collar-bone.) Sir John wanted to put an end to the agreement. Sammy won the action when Mr Justice Wright decided that he was entitled, under the contract, to his retaining fee of £2,000 for the year 1902.
On January 16th 1901, he arrived in America for a six-week holiday. Asked would he be riding he responded ‘I am merely pleasure bent.’ (He visited some of the noted breeding grounds on the Pacific coast and attended races at the Oakland and Tanforan courses.)
On January 16th 1901, he arrived in America for a six-week holiday. Asked would he be riding he responded ‘I am merely pleasure bent.’ (He visited some of the noted breeding grounds on the Pacific coast and attended races at the Oakland and Tanforan courses.)
Later that year, Sammy Loates took a bad fall at Northampton when a man ran across the track during the Compton Welter Handicap, causing three horses to come down.
Later that year, Sammy Loates took a bad fall at Northampton when a man ran across the track during the Compton Welter Handicap, causing three horses to come down.
Sammy lost the sight in one eye and broke a thigh, which caused him to limp for the rest of his life. The man responsible, a carpenter, was killed outright.
Sammy lost the sight in one eye and broke a thigh, which caused him to limp for the rest of his life. The man responsible, a carpenter, was killed outright.
Undaunted, Sammy continued to ride in 1902, clocking up just 17 winners. He only rode two winners in 1903, the final one being Union Jack in the Hertfordshire Handicap at Harpenden on 23 May 1903.
Undaunted, Sammy continued to ride in 1902, clocking up just 17 winners. He only rode two winners in 1903, the final one being Union Jack in the Hertfordshire Handicap at Harpenden on 23 May 1903.
He then retired from the saddle and began training. In 1919, he trained the winners of 34 races for his great friend, Mr Solomon (Solly) Joel, worth £11,800.
He then retired from the saddle and began training. In 1919, he trained the winners of 34 races for his great friend, Mr Solomon (Solly) Joel, worth £11,800.
In 1909, fellow trainer Edwin Couch of Newmarket endured a desperate run of bad luck with his horses, and the owner, Mr J Byrne, transferred them all into Sammy’s stable. This so traumatised Couch that he put a pistol to his head in at the Turk’s Head Hotel in Exeter, and committed suicide.
In 1909, fellow trainer Edwin Couch of Newmarket endured a desperate run of bad luck with his horses, and the owner, Mr J Byrne, transferred them all into Sammy’s stable. This so traumatised Couch that he put a pistol to his head in at the Turk’s Head Hotel in Exeter, and committed suicide.
Sammy Loates died at Middleton Cottage, Newmarket on December 3rd 1932 leaving £9,886 17s. 4d. to his widow, Annie Catherine Loates.
Sammy Loates died at Middleton Cottage, Newmarket on December 3rd 1932 leaving £9,886 17s. 4d. to his widow, Annie Catherine Loates.
Samuel Loates was known as ‘Sloates’ by his fellow jockeys. By the general pubic he was known as Sammilotes (his two jockey brothers were known as Bennilotes & Tommilotes).
Samuel Loates was known as ‘Sloates’ by his fellow jockeys. By the general pubic he was known as Sammilotes (his two jockey brothers were known as Bennilotes & Tommilotes).
The Family:
The Family:
Father: Archibald Loates (1823- 1890)
Father: Archibald Loates (1823- 1890)
Mother: Louisa Loates (1824 – 1886)
Mother: Louisa Loates (1824 – 1886)
Children: Mary (born 1844), John (born 1846), Louisa (1850-1917), Charles Henry (born 1852), Sarah Ann (1854-1919), Sarah (born 1855), Rowland (1857-1916), Emily (born 1861)and Thomas (1868-1914)
Children: Mary (born 1844), John (born 1846), Louisa (1850-1917), Charles Henry (born 1852), Sarah Ann (1854-1919), Sarah (born 1855), Rowland (1857-1916), Emily (born 1861)and Thomas (1868-1914)
Spouse: Annie Catherine Enoch. Sam and Annie married in London on October 1894. They lived at Beverley House, Exeter Road, Newmarket.
Spouse: Annie Catherine Enoch. Sam and Annie married in London on October 1894. They lived at Beverley House, Exeter Road, Newmarket.
Sam Loates’ classic wins:
Sam Loates’ classic wins:
Two Thousand Guineas: Disraeli (189
Two Thousand Guineas: Disraeli (189
One Thousand Guineas: Nun Nicer (1898) and Winifreda (1900)
One Thousand Guineas: Nun Nicer (1898) and Winifreda (1900)
The Derby: Harvester (1884, dead-heat) and Sir Visto (1895)
The Derby: Harvester (1884, dead-heat) and Sir Visto (1895)
The Oaks: La Sagesse (1895)
The Oaks: La Sagesse (1895)
St Leger: St Visto (1895)
St Leger: St Visto (1895)
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