William Loft
Born in Seaford, Sussex, on September 14, 1803, the son of a Lieutenant-General, William J Loft is the only person to have owned, trained and ridden the winner of the Grand National.
Born in Seaford, Sussex, on September 14, 1803, the son of a Lieutenant-General, William J Loft is the only person to have owned, trained and ridden the winner of the Grand National.
William, from Healing, achieved this distinction in 1845 when buying a lame thoroughbred named Cure-All for a bargain price and nurturing him back to race winning health.
William, from Healing, achieved this distinction in 1845 when buying a lame thoroughbred named Cure-All for a bargain price and nurturing him back to race winning health.
He had bought the horse from a dealer the Horncastle Fair sales in 1843. Cure-All had been left badly lame after falling at an untrimmed hedge whilst out training; William took the horse off the dealer's hands for £50: before the accident its price had been £260.
He had bought the horse from a dealer the Horncastle Fair sales in 1843. Cure-All had been left badly lame after falling at an untrimmed hedge whilst out training; William took the horse off the dealer's hands for £50: before the accident its price had been £260.
William walked it back to Healing. Recovering its full health, Cure-All was hunted with the Brocklesby Hunt before being tried out in a Lincoln steeplechase. He fell, yet (remounted), still finished second. Because of this, William took the gigantic step of entering it for the National.
William walked it back to Healing. Recovering its full health, Cure-All was hunted with the Brocklesby Hunt before being tried out in a Lincoln steeplechase. He fell, yet (remounted), still finished second. Because of this, William took the gigantic step of entering it for the National.
Come the day of the big race, and William discovered that the course was frozen and, in his opinion, unfit for racing. He complained but was outvoted by other owners.
Come the day of the big race, and William discovered that the course was frozen and, in his opinion, unfit for racing. He complained but was outvoted by other owners.
Following the withdrawal of the favourite The Knight Templar, the race finally got underway at five.
Following the withdrawal of the favourite The Knight Templar, the race finally got underway at five.
Shrewdly, William raced along a narrow strip of better ground on the second circuit. This gave him a massive advantage, and, taking up the running at the last, Cure-All outstayed the grey Peter Simple by two lengths.
Shrewdly, William raced along a narrow strip of better ground on the second circuit. This gave him a massive advantage, and, taking up the running at the last, Cure-All outstayed the grey Peter Simple by two lengths.
He died in Grimsby on December 13, 1887, aged 84.
He died in Grimsby on December 13, 1887, aged 84.