John Manners
1881 ended badly for Lord John Manners. He fell from his horse whilst hunting on New Year's Eve with the Belvoir Hounds, near Plungar, severely spraining his wrist and slightly injuring his neck. He was obliged to suspend his activities in the saddle for several weeks, so it came as no small surprise to him when it was announced in several newspapers at the end of March that he had ridden Seaman to victory in the 1882 Grand National.
1881 ended badly for Lord John Manners. He fell from his horse whilst hunting on New Year's Eve with the Belvoir Hounds, near Plungar, severely spraining his wrist and slightly injuring his neck. He was obliged to suspend his activities in the saddle for several weeks, so it came as no small surprise to him when it was announced in several newspapers at the end of March that he had ridden Seaman to victory in the 1882 Grand National.
A Lord John Manners had indeed ridden the winner, but it was the young grandson of the Lord Chancellor of Ireland of the same name who had prevailed at Liverpool by the shortest of heads.
A Lord John Manners had indeed ridden the winner, but it was the young grandson of the Lord Chancellor of Ireland of the same name who had prevailed at Liverpool by the shortest of heads.
The victorious Lord Manners, who at one time had been a London barrister, had taken fancy odds about himself buying, training and riding the Grand National winner some months earlier: his cause was aided by the unlucky departure of Eau De Vie. Dan Thirwell's mount was some fifteen lengths clear at Becher's second time around, and going easily. Then, to Thirwell's horror, a stirrup leather broke and the horse veered sharply into the scattering crowd, leaving Seaman - which had broken down some two hundred yards from the finish - to scrape home after a punishing finish. The horse never ran again but lived as a family pet on Lord Manners' estate for the rest of its life.
The victorious Lord Manners, who at one time had been a London barrister, had taken fancy odds about himself buying, training and riding the Grand National winner some months earlier: his cause was aided by the unlucky departure of Eau De Vie. Dan Thirwell's mount was some fifteen lengths clear at Becher's second time around, and going easily. Then, to Thirwell's horror, a stirrup leather broke and the horse veered sharply into the scattering crowd, leaving Seaman - which had broken down some two hundred yards from the finish - to scrape home after a punishing finish. The horse never ran again but lived as a family pet on Lord Manners' estate for the rest of its life.
It was the first time in history that the race had been won by a nobleman and - if we are to believe the history books - the first time that Lord Manners had appeared in the saddle in public.
It was the first time in history that the race had been won by a nobleman and - if we are to believe the history books - the first time that Lord Manners had appeared in the saddle in public.
Lord Manners then, later that year, won the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown Park, riding his own Lord Chancellor, a purchase from Ireland.
Lord Manners then, later that year, won the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown Park, riding his own Lord Chancellor, a purchase from Ireland.
And that was it - two rides, two winners. Lord Manners was not seen on a racecourse again.
And that was it - two rides, two winners. Lord Manners was not seen on a racecourse again.
John Thomas Manners-Sutton (3rd Baron Manners) was born on May 15, 1852 at St. George, Hanover Square, London. Aged 75, he died suddenly from heart failure on August 19, 1927, at Christchurch, Hants.
John Thomas Manners-Sutton (3rd Baron Manners) was born on May 15, 1852 at St. George, Hanover Square, London. Aged 75, he died suddenly from heart failure on August 19, 1927, at Christchurch, Hants.
It was here that Lord Manners had built a house, Avon Tyrell, with the proceeds of his winning Grand National bet. The house was used as a hospital during the war and, in 1949, was donated to the 'youth of the nation'. It is now owned by a charity which provides holidays and activities for young people.
It was here that Lord Manners had built a house, Avon Tyrell, with the proceeds of his winning Grand National bet. The house was used as a hospital during the war and, in 1949, was donated to the 'youth of the nation'. It is now owned by a charity which provides holidays and activities for young people.
He married in 1885. His eldest son was killed in action in 1914.
He married in 1885. His eldest son was killed in action in 1914.