Tommy Lushington

1860 -1917

Blessed with the names Gratton Wildman, but always known as Tommy, Mr Lushington was the top amateur rider of his day.

Born at Chilham Castle in Kent in 1860, he was educated at Cheltenham and had his first winning ride in a pony race at Aldershot.

Riding Battle Royal, he won the 1889 Grand Sefton at Liverpool's 1889 November meeting. The following March, riding as Mr Wildman, he rode the same horse in the Grand National. So badly did Battle Royal run in the race that the only construction that could be put upon it was he had been doped the previous evening.

Shortly after this, Tommy broke one of his hands when coming down at Sandown, forcing him to confine himself to flat racing.

And a great success he made of it. Tommy rode Gallinari to success in the 1900 Irish Derby and in June 1901, won His Majesty's Plate at the Curragh on the same horse.

He also won Goodwood's Corinthian Cup four years in succession, on one occasion in the Royal colours.

Tommy played a part in the training of Ambush II which he sold to the Royal racing manager Lord Marcus Beresford on behalf of the Prince of Wales. Ambush ll won the 1900 Grand National.

Another good horse he sent out was Coverthack, which won the Conyngham Cup at Punchestown four times.

At one time Tommy Lushington trained for John Gubbins, owner of Ard Patrick and Galtee

More, before he moved his horses to Samuel Darling at Beckhampton.

After a lingering illness, Tommy - who resided at Conyngham Lodge, Curragh Camp - died in Dublin on Tuesday 6 February 1917, aged 56.