Hugh McCalmont
1845 - 1924
1845 - 1924
Hugh McCalmont was born in Co. Antrim, Ireland, on February 9 1845, and was educated at Eton, subsequently going on to Oxford.
Hugh McCalmont was born in Co. Antrim, Ireland, on February 9 1845, and was educated at Eton, subsequently going on to Oxford.
Having joined the 9th Lancers in 1865, he developed a taste for steeplechasing and, in the late 1860s, won the Lancers' Regimental Challenge twice - on Bendemere, for Captain Saville, then, the following season, for Captain Cleland on Rocket.
Having joined the 9th Lancers in 1865, he developed a taste for steeplechasing and, in the late 1860s, won the Lancers' Regimental Challenge twice - on Bendemere, for Captain Saville, then, the following season, for Captain Cleland on Rocket.
In 1869 he won the 9th Lancers Handicap Steeplechase on his own mare, Bicycle, before gaining his biggest win in the 1871 Conyngham Cup on Garde Civique at Punchestown.
In 1869 he won the 9th Lancers Handicap Steeplechase on his own mare, Bicycle, before gaining his biggest win in the 1871 Conyngham Cup on Garde Civique at Punchestown.
He enjoyed a fruitful 1872, winning Punchestown's Grand Military and several other races on Bel Espoir, the 7th Hussars Regimental Cup on his own mare, Bayleaf, and the Aldershot Cup on Eskadale.
He enjoyed a fruitful 1872, winning Punchestown's Grand Military and several other races on Bel Espoir, the 7th Hussars Regimental Cup on his own mare, Bayleaf, and the Aldershot Cup on Eskadale.
For the next ten years, Captain McCalmont was engaged on active service abroad, and, apart from the odd flat race or steeplechase at Natal, found no opportunity to wear his racing colours.
For the next ten years, Captain McCalmont was engaged on active service abroad, and, apart from the odd flat race or steeplechase at Natal, found no opportunity to wear his racing colours.
In 1873 he bought a mare named Mandoline for £45. It had previously been used to pull a threshing machine and, in Captain McCalmont's own words, 'was the best and fastest mare I ever owned'. In a match at Punchestown, Mandoline easily beat Rebecca, ridden by Mr St. James ('The Limb'). In another match, for £200, Captain McCalmont rode his own horse, Spa, against Time, ridden by Tip Herbert - he completed the course, from Newbridge to Dublin, in one hour, fifteen minutes and thirty-two seconds to collect the purse.
In 1873 he bought a mare named Mandoline for £45. It had previously been used to pull a threshing machine and, in Captain McCalmont's own words, 'was the best and fastest mare I ever owned'. In a match at Punchestown, Mandoline easily beat Rebecca, ridden by Mr St. James ('The Limb'). In another match, for £200, Captain McCalmont rode his own horse, Spa, against Time, ridden by Tip Herbert - he completed the course, from Newbridge to Dublin, in one hour, fifteen minutes and thirty-two seconds to collect the purse.
He owned another good horse in Wolf, on which he won the 4th Dragoon Guards Challenge Cup and the Dublin Open Steeplechase. Wolf also won the 1892 Downshire Cup at Punchestown, but in consequence of a bad fall in a previous race, Captain McCalmont was unable to ride.
He owned another good horse in Wolf, on which he won the 4th Dragoon Guards Challenge Cup and the Dublin Open Steeplechase. Wolf also won the 1892 Downshire Cup at Punchestown, but in consequence of a bad fall in a previous race, Captain McCalmont was unable to ride.
He lived at Abbeylands, a two-storey house in Whiteabbey, near Belast, until it was set on fire by suffragettes in 1914.
He lived at Abbeylands, a two-storey house in Whiteabbey, near Belast, until it was set on fire by suffragettes in 1914.
Major-General Sir Hugh McCalmont died on May 2 1924. His son, Dermot McCalmont (1887 -1968) was the owner of the unbeaten racehorse, The Tetrarch.
Major-General Sir Hugh McCalmont died on May 2 1924. His son, Dermot McCalmont (1887 -1968) was the owner of the unbeaten racehorse, The Tetrarch.