As a teenager, John Mangle (often written as Mangles) went to work for Middleham-based Isaac Cape, an ex-jockey who had started to earn his living by preparing and specially training thoroughbred horses owned by wealthy nobles for racing. Isaac is said to be the first recorded professional trainer in the history of horse racing. It was here that John learned the art of jockeyship. Some time later, John and Isaac had a serious fall-out and the teenager left under a cloud. John quickly found work at John Hoyle’s Stables at Ashgill, Coverham, just two miles away. This was to prove a fruitful partnership.
On the 3rd March 1783, John married John Hoyle’s daughter Hannah. They had two sons, George (1784) and John (1785). That same year, John Hoyle died. John Mangle took over the stables and began to train, and ride, for its many wealthy patrons, including the 9th Duke of Hamilton.
He then pulled off a remarkable hat-trick, training and riding the winners of three St Legers in a row for the Duke – Paragon in 1786, Spadille in 1787 and Young Flora in 1788.
Because of his continuing success, he had a second house and stable built at nearby Brecongill to accommodate more horses and, from there, went on to amass a fortune. He took on two stable jockeys, John Jackson and the underestimated Benjamin Smith who went on to ride a further six winners of the St Leger.
John’s wife Hannah died on 23rd April 1795. Eventually he took a second wife – Mary Pearson, who was the landlady of the King’s Arms in Richmond. John and Mary frequently played host to the 9th Duke of Hamilton.
John Mangle was a poor loser and was known as ‘Crying Jackie’ for his habit of weeping when getting beaten. He died, totally blind, on New Year’s Day, 1831 and was buried at Coverham.
John Mangle was baptised in Hauxwell near Leyburn in the North Riding on 6th January 1750. He was one of three children; he had an elder brother called George, born 1743, and a sister called Mary, born 1745. Their parents were farmers and the family lived and worked at Glasshouse Farm. In 1787, George married Harriet Crowther and, together with the several children she bore him, they lived all their lives in Hauxwell. Mary also married – William Carter – and they, too, spent their entire lives at Hauxwell.
John’s parents, brother and sister are all buried at St Oswald’s church in Hauxwell.
In addition to his two sons, John had – during his years as a jockey - four daughters: Mary (1787), Sarah (1789), Harriet (1792) and Catherine (1793).
The homes and stables of Ashgill and Brecongill still stand today and continue to send out winners.
John Mangle’s classic wins:
St Leger: Ruler (1780), Paragon (1786), Spadille (1787), Young Flora (1788) and Tartar (1792)