Charles Molyneux
Charles Molyneux
Charles Molyneux
1867 - 1901
1867 - 1901
Born on 25 June 1867, Charles William Hylton Molyneux, eldest son of the fourth Earl of Sefton, whom he succeeded in 1897, inherited in full the sporting instincts of his ancestors. He became well known, as Lord Molyneux, for his devotion to hunting and steeplechasing, achieving much distinction as an owner and rider under National Hunt Rules. He first registered his colours, ‘white, primrose sleeves, black cap’, in 1890 and, for the next two years, rode under the assumed name of Mr Charles.
Born on 25 June 1867, Charles William Hylton Molyneux, eldest son of the fourth Earl of Sefton, whom he succeeded in 1897, inherited in full the sporting instincts of his ancestors. He became well known, as Lord Molyneux, for his devotion to hunting and steeplechasing, achieving much distinction as an owner and rider under National Hunt Rules. He first registered his colours, ‘white, primrose sleeves, black cap’, in 1890 and, for the next two years, rode under the assumed name of Mr Charles.
In 1890, he had only two mounts and, the following season three, one of these being a winner. In 1892, he rode 31 times, winning on five occasions. The following season, from 85 mounts, he won 23 times. In 1894, he won 6 races from 37 mounts.
In 1890, he had only two mounts and, the following season three, one of these being a winner. In 1892, he rode 31 times, winning on five occasions. The following season, from 85 mounts, he won 23 times. In 1894, he won 6 races from 37 mounts.
His winning rides in 1893 included Drumlina, which he owned and rode to victory in Sandown’s United Service Steeplechase at the Grand Military Meeting and the Altcar Four-Year-Old Steeplechase at the Liverpool Spring Meeting. As an owner, he was successful with Emin, which won the Trafford Park Steeplechase at Manchester in the spring of 1894 while Sheridan and Orange Peel also bore his colours to victory.
His winning rides in 1893 included Drumlina, which he owned and rode to victory in Sandown’s United Service Steeplechase at the Grand Military Meeting and the Altcar Four-Year-Old Steeplechase at the Liverpool Spring Meeting. As an owner, he was successful with Emin, which won the Trafford Park Steeplechase at Manchester in the spring of 1894 while Sheridan and Orange Peel also bore his colours to victory.
At the Liverpool Spring Meeting of 1894, Lord Molyneux rode Scotch Pride in the Altcar Four-Year-Old Steeplechase. It was to be his last race.
At the Liverpool Spring Meeting of 1894, Lord Molyneux rode Scotch Pride in the Altcar Four-Year-Old Steeplechase. It was to be his last race.
The filly fell, pitching her unfortunate rider onto his head. Scotch Pride was caught and remounted by Mr J. C. Cheney who chased after the leaders and eventually won the race for Lord Molyneux. (The rules of racing were slightly different in those days.)
The filly fell, pitching her unfortunate rider onto his head. Scotch Pride was caught and remounted by Mr J. C. Cheney who chased after the leaders and eventually won the race for Lord Molyneux. (The rules of racing were slightly different in those days.)
Lord Molyneux, slightly concussed, was taken home. After that, he occasionally ran horses but never rode again again.
Lord Molyneux, slightly concussed, was taken home. After that, he occasionally ran horses but never rode again again.
He was expected to make a full recovery but, instead, became more physically and mentally incapacitated from the effects of his fall. On Friday, 28 November 1901, Lord Molyneux fell into unconsciousness. He lingered until eight o’clock, Monday morning 2 December when he died at his residence, Croxteth Hall, Liverpool. During his illness, he was nursed by the eldest of his sisters and special nurses. Aged 34, he died unmarried.
He was expected to make a full recovery but, instead, became more physically and mentally incapacitated from the effects of his fall. On Friday, 28 November 1901, Lord Molyneux fell into unconsciousness. He lingered until eight o’clock, Monday morning 2 December when he died at his residence, Croxteth Hall, Liverpool. During his illness, he was nursed by the eldest of his sisters and special nurses. Aged 34, he died unmarried.