Anthony Mildmay
1909 - 1950
1909 - 1950
The Right Hon. Anthony Bingham Mildmay, second Lord Mildmay of Flete, of Totnes, in the county of Devon, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, was the only son of the first Lord Mildmay of Flete and was born on April 14, 1909.
The Right Hon. Anthony Bingham Mildmay, second Lord Mildmay of Flete, of Totnes, in the county of Devon, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, was the only son of the first Lord Mildmay of Flete and was born on April 14, 1909.
Like his father, (Lord) Anthony Mildmay was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. While still at school his love of riding was already pronounced and a portrait of him on his favourite pony by Sir Alfred Munnings proves that at an early age he had an excellent seat.
Like his father, (Lord) Anthony Mildmay was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. While still at school his love of riding was already pronounced and a portrait of him on his favourite pony by Sir Alfred Munnings proves that at an early age he had an excellent seat.
Anthony continued to ride to hounds and in point-to-points at Cambridge and eventually rode his first winner, Good Shot, over the jumps.
Anthony continued to ride to hounds and in point-to-points at Cambridge and eventually rode his first winner, Good Shot, over the jumps.
His ambition was to win the Grand National and he came very close to achieving it in 1936 when his mount, Davy Jones, ran off the course when contesting the lead as a result of the reins breaking.
His ambition was to win the Grand National and he came very close to achieving it in 1936 when his mount, Davy Jones, ran off the course when contesting the lead as a result of the reins breaking.
Then came the war, in which Anthony served in the Welsh Guards and was mentioned in dispatches.
Then came the war, in which Anthony served in the Welsh Guards and was mentioned in dispatches.
The war over, he returned to the saddle and headed the list of amateur riders in the National Hunt season of 1946-47 with 32 winners.
The war over, he returned to the saddle and headed the list of amateur riders in the National Hunt season of 1946-47 with 32 winners.
In 1948 he was once again within a whisker of winning the National: as he approached the last three obstacles in a prominent position on Cromwell, an old injury reasserted itself, but with great gallantry he continued the race with a dislocated spine, finishing third.
In 1948 he was once again within a whisker of winning the National: as he approached the last three obstacles in a prominent position on Cromwell, an old injury reasserted itself, but with great gallantry he continued the race with a dislocated spine, finishing third.
Anthony had over 100 winners to his credit and was absolutely adored by the racing public.
Anthony had over 100 winners to his credit and was absolutely adored by the racing public.
On Friday, May 12 1950, Anthony went for his usual early morning swim at the mouth of the River Yealm at Newton Ferrers, Devon.
On Friday, May 12 1950, Anthony went for his usual early morning swim at the mouth of the River Yealm at Newton Ferrers, Devon.
When he did not return, a search party was organised. Anthony's clothes and a bucket of fresh water were found; he made a habit of using the fresh water after his swim.
When he did not return, a search party was organised. Anthony's clothes and a bucket of fresh water were found; he made a habit of using the fresh water after his swim.
Parties of the estate staff, police, coastguards and an aircraft joined in.
Parties of the estate staff, police, coastguards and an aircraft joined in.
The search was called off when darkness fell.
The search was called off when darkness fell.
Anthony's body was washed up at Falmouth on the seventh of June.
Anthony's body was washed up at Falmouth on the seventh of June.
His death left not only the darkest of shadows over racing but the deepest sense of loss to all who admired bravery, enthusiasm and genuine sportsmanship.
His death left not only the darkest of shadows over racing but the deepest sense of loss to all who admired bravery, enthusiasm and genuine sportsmanship.
Lord Anthony Mildmay was 41 when he vanished.
Lord Anthony Mildmay was 41 when he vanished.
He never married.
He never married.
At the end of the 1949 season, Anthony Mildmay persuaded Queen Elizabeth into becoming a National Hunt owner. For her, Anthony and Peter Cazalet managed to secure the Irish-bred Monaveen, which had run well for a long way in the most recent National.
At the end of the 1949 season, Anthony Mildmay persuaded Queen Elizabeth into becoming a National Hunt owner. For her, Anthony and Peter Cazalet managed to secure the Irish-bred Monaveen, which had run well for a long way in the most recent National.
The horse, carrying the colours of Princess Elizabeth (who was the joint owner with her mother) won first time out at Fontwell.
The horse, carrying the colours of Princess Elizabeth (who was the joint owner with her mother) won first time out at Fontwell.
Anthony Mildmay was involved in an extraordinary race at Aintree when all sixteen runners fell. The Stanley Steeplechase was run on March 27 1947 over the Grand National course, two days before the big race.
Anthony Mildmay was involved in an extraordinary race at Aintree when all sixteen runners fell. The Stanley Steeplechase was run on March 27 1947 over the Grand National course, two days before the big race.
The race was for horses which had not won a steeplechase. Only five got as far as Becher's Brook and only two - Watchit and Billykin - clambered over that.
The race was for horses which had not won a steeplechase. Only five got as far as Becher's Brook and only two - Watchit and Billykin - clambered over that.
Soon after, Billykin fell.
Soon after, Billykin fell.
Watchit did not seem to like being alone and twice baulked four fences from home, unseating Anthony Mildmay.
Watchit did not seem to like being alone and twice baulked four fences from home, unseating Anthony Mildmay.
The Irish jockey, Tim Molony having his first ride at Aintree, remounted Billykin and finished with blood pouring from his mouth.
The Irish jockey, Tim Molony having his first ride at Aintree, remounted Billykin and finished with blood pouring from his mouth.
Meanwhile, Mr Blacker, riding his own horse September Air, remounted when told all the others had fallen and finished some 15 minutes after Ballykin had passed the post. Mr Blacker was most disappointed when told he had not won.
Meanwhile, Mr Blacker, riding his own horse September Air, remounted when told all the others had fallen and finished some 15 minutes after Ballykin had passed the post. Mr Blacker was most disappointed when told he had not won.