Bay Middleton
1846 - 1892
1846 - 1892
Born at Barony, Glasgow, on April 16, 1846, William George (Bay) Middleton joined the 12th Lancers in 1865, and it was whilst stationed in Ireland with his regiment that, at the Cork Park Meeting in 1867, he rode in, and won, his first steeplechase.
Born at Barony, Glasgow, on April 16, 1846, William George (Bay) Middleton joined the 12th Lancers in 1865, and it was whilst stationed in Ireland with his regiment that, at the Cork Park Meeting in 1867, he rode in, and won, his first steeplechase.
Riding Waterford, he won the Irish Grand Military at Punchestown twice, in 1873 and 1874.
Riding Waterford, he won the Irish Grand Military at Punchestown twice, in 1873 and 1874.
In Britain, he won the 1882 Scottish Grand National on Gunboat.
In Britain, he won the 1882 Scottish Grand National on Gunboat.
He first registered his colours, black and pink hoops, in 1879, and sported them when third on Minotaur in the Grand National Hunt Steeplechase at Derby. The pair then won the Leicestershire Hunt Steeplechase before Minotaur fell in the Brocklesby Open Steeplechase and broke its neck.
He first registered his colours, black and pink hoops, in 1879, and sported them when third on Minotaur in the Grand National Hunt Steeplechase at Derby. The pair then won the Leicestershire Hunt Steeplechase before Minotaur fell in the Brocklesby Open Steeplechase and broke its neck.
This was the year in which Bay bought Lord of the Harem, a prolific winner, whose victories notably included the United Kingdom Steeplechase at the Quorn and Darlington Hunt. During 1882 and 1883, Lord of the Harem and Bay ran up a sequence of 18 consecutive wins. Tragically, the following year, Lord of the Harem, with over 30 victories behind him, was - much to the great distress of its owner - instantly killed when coming down in the Open Steeplechase at Whitehaven.
This was the year in which Bay bought Lord of the Harem, a prolific winner, whose victories notably included the United Kingdom Steeplechase at the Quorn and Darlington Hunt. During 1882 and 1883, Lord of the Harem and Bay ran up a sequence of 18 consecutive wins. Tragically, the following year, Lord of the Harem, with over 30 victories behind him, was - much to the great distress of its owner - instantly killed when coming down in the Open Steeplechase at Whitehaven.
His best year came in 1880 when he won 26 races.
His best year came in 1880 when he won 26 races.
Bay's last win came on Plaintiff in the Open Military Steeplechase at the Household Brigade Meeting at Hawthorn Hill on April 1.
Bay's last win came on Plaintiff in the Open Military Steeplechase at the Household Brigade Meeting at Hawthorn Hill on April 1.
Captain Bay Middleton died on Saturday, April 9, 1892, when riding his own horse, Night Line, in the Midland Sportsmen's Cup Steeplechase at the House of Commons annual point-to-point at Kineton. Having covered three of the four-and-a-half mile course, Night Line pitched badly and stumbled at a low rail obstacle. It did not fall but, disorientated twenty yards further on, threw his head back and caught Bay on his chin with such force as to break his neck. Bay was dead before he reached the ground. The site of the accident, near Kineton Spinney, was marked with a commemorative stone surrounded by an iron rail.
Captain Bay Middleton died on Saturday, April 9, 1892, when riding his own horse, Night Line, in the Midland Sportsmen's Cup Steeplechase at the House of Commons annual point-to-point at Kineton. Having covered three of the four-and-a-half mile course, Night Line pitched badly and stumbled at a low rail obstacle. It did not fall but, disorientated twenty yards further on, threw his head back and caught Bay on his chin with such force as to break his neck. Bay was dead before he reached the ground. The site of the accident, near Kineton Spinney, was marked with a commemorative stone surrounded by an iron rail.
He was buried by the south door of Haselbech Church in Northamptonshire.
He was buried by the south door of Haselbech Church in Northamptonshire.
He was the father of Clementine Hozier, who eventually became the wife of Sir Winston Churchill.
He was the father of Clementine Hozier, who eventually became the wife of Sir Winston Churchill.
Bay rode 187 National Hunt winners.
Bay rode 187 National Hunt winners.