Otto Madden
1873 – 1942
1873 – 1942
Herbert Otto Madden was born in Germany on January 2, 1873.
Herbert Otto Madden was born in Germany on January 2, 1873.
He was the son of Elijah Madden who had ridden the fabulous Hungarian mare Kincsem in many of her races. Elijah died in Hoppegarten, Germany on November 21, 1897. His tombstone no longer exists.
He was the son of Elijah Madden who had ridden the fabulous Hungarian mare Kincsem in many of her races. Elijah died in Hoppegarten, Germany on November 21, 1897. His tombstone no longer exists.
Madden was apprenticed to James Waugh and rode his first winner on Cockenzie at Windsor in April 1888. His first important winner came on Unicorn in the 1891 Stewards’ Cup.
Madden was apprenticed to James Waugh and rode his first winner on Cockenzie at Windsor in April 1888. His first important winner came on Unicorn in the 1891 Stewards’ Cup.
Later, his indentures were transferred to Richard Marsh for whom he won the Derby on 100/1 shot Jeddah. He also rode the winners of the 2,000 Guineas, Oaks and St Leger, and won the Jockey’s title four times.
Later, his indentures were transferred to Richard Marsh for whom he won the Derby on 100/1 shot Jeddah. He also rode the winners of the 2,000 Guineas, Oaks and St Leger, and won the Jockey’s title four times.
Sensationally he was refused a licence to ride ‘for association with persons of bad character.’ The scandal was great, for Madden was engaged by Dick Marsh who trained horses for Edward Vll. This suggested that the King’s trainer was complicit in employing a jockey who rode for criminals. Madden had his licence restored in 1903 and quickly re-established himself as champion, taking the Jockeys’ title with 154 winners.
Sensationally he was refused a licence to ride ‘for association with persons of bad character.’ The scandal was great, for Madden was engaged by Dick Marsh who trained horses for Edward Vll. This suggested that the King’s trainer was complicit in employing a jockey who rode for criminals. Madden had his licence restored in 1903 and quickly re-established himself as champion, taking the Jockeys’ title with 154 winners.
Madden was suspected by many of pulling Wool Winder in the 1907 Derby, but Madden always maintained that the horse’s stumble turning into the straight had cost him the race.
Madden was suspected by many of pulling Wool Winder in the 1907 Derby, but Madden always maintained that the horse’s stumble turning into the straight had cost him the race.
In 1906 he was violently savaged by a racehorse at Brighton. He was taking a horse called Centre down to the start for the Worthing Plate when another horse – called Marigold lV – overtook him, dragged him out of the saddle by the shoulder and seized his throat. Marigold’s jockey, C. Brady, himself unseated in the incident, used his whip freely on the brute’s head to make him release Madden. Other jockeys came to his assistance and the horse was eventually beaten off. Madden returned to the paddock where his throat was stitched up.
In 1906 he was violently savaged by a racehorse at Brighton. He was taking a horse called Centre down to the start for the Worthing Plate when another horse – called Marigold lV – overtook him, dragged him out of the saddle by the shoulder and seized his throat. Marigold’s jockey, C. Brady, himself unseated in the incident, used his whip freely on the brute’s head to make him release Madden. Other jockeys came to his assistance and the horse was eventually beaten off. Madden returned to the paddock where his throat was stitched up.
He retired in 1909 to take up training but resumed riding due to a wartime lack of jockeys. After finally retiring, he became church warden at St Agnes, Newmarket. He often stated that the best horse he ever rode was Ard Patrick, on whom he won the 1903 Eclipse.
He retired in 1909 to take up training but resumed riding due to a wartime lack of jockeys. After finally retiring, he became church warden at St Agnes, Newmarket. He often stated that the best horse he ever rode was Ard Patrick, on whom he won the 1903 Eclipse.
His daughter married amateur rider Mr Victor Lawson, who entered the record books when riding his first winner at Warwick at the age of 67.
His daughter married amateur rider Mr Victor Lawson, who entered the record books when riding his first winner at Warwick at the age of 67.
Otto Madden died at Beech Hurst, Newmarket on 21st May 1942. He left £49,083. 7s. 6d.
Otto Madden died at Beech Hurst, Newmarket on 21st May 1942. He left £49,083. 7s. 6d.
While out walking on the day before the 1889 Derby, Lord Marcus Beresford was caught in a sudden rain-storm. Having no umbrella, he took shelter in the porch of a nearby house. Glancing up, he saw in gold letters on the fanlight the word “Jeddah”. A horse by that name was due to run in the next day’s Derby. Lord Beresford accepted it as an omen and, next morning, backed it substantially. That afternoon, ridden by Otto Madden, Jeddah became the first-ever 100-1 winner of the Epsom Derby.
While out walking on the day before the 1889 Derby, Lord Marcus Beresford was caught in a sudden rain-storm. Having no umbrella, he took shelter in the porch of a nearby house. Glancing up, he saw in gold letters on the fanlight the word “Jeddah”. A horse by that name was due to run in the next day’s Derby. Lord Beresford accepted it as an omen and, next morning, backed it substantially. That afternoon, ridden by Otto Madden, Jeddah became the first-ever 100-1 winner of the Epsom Derby.
Kincsem (Hungarian for My Treasure) won every one of its 54 races, including a solitary run in England in the Goodwood Cup. Otto’s father Elijah, riding the great mare, had not walked the course before the race and was becoming totally lost on its twists and turns. He shouted for guidance from his nearest rivals, Fred Archer and Tom Cannon who, sportingly, pointed him in the right direction.
Kincsem (Hungarian for My Treasure) won every one of its 54 races, including a solitary run in England in the Goodwood Cup. Otto’s father Elijah, riding the great mare, had not walked the course before the race and was becoming totally lost on its twists and turns. He shouted for guidance from his nearest rivals, Fred Archer and Tom Cannon who, sportingly, pointed him in the right direction.
Kinscem died from colic on her thirteenth birthday, March 17th 1887. There is a life-sized statue of her near the stadium at Kincsem Park in Budapest where the Kincsem Museum is located.
Kinscem died from colic on her thirteenth birthday, March 17th 1887. There is a life-sized statue of her near the stadium at Kincsem Park in Budapest where the Kincsem Museum is located.
In Janurary 1925, Otto was involved in a car crash. He was driving, early morning, to Newmarket in his Damlier car near the village of Guy in Cambridge when he collided with a Morris Cowley driven by Mr W R Levin, a New Zealand student studying at Trinity Hall. The smaller car was wrecked and Mr Levin was taken to Addenbrookes Hospital. After receiving medical attention, he was able to return to Trinity. Otto was cut above the head by flying glass but was not seriously hurt.
In Janurary 1925, Otto was involved in a car crash. He was driving, early morning, to Newmarket in his Damlier car near the village of Guy in Cambridge when he collided with a Morris Cowley driven by Mr W R Levin, a New Zealand student studying at Trinity Hall. The smaller car was wrecked and Mr Levin was taken to Addenbrookes Hospital. After receiving medical attention, he was able to return to Trinity. Otto was cut above the head by flying glass but was not seriously hurt.
Otto married Miss Katherine Ada Battle at St Mary’s, Bury St Edmunds. Otto, who was staying at the Angel Inn made famous by Charles Dickens, arrived early. Mr B Lynham, the jockey, was best man.
Otto married Miss Katherine Ada Battle at St Mary’s, Bury St Edmunds. Otto, who was staying at the Angel Inn made famous by Charles Dickens, arrived early. Mr B Lynham, the jockey, was best man.
In 1907, after riding sixty-two consecutive losers, Otto – riding Sancy - dead-heated with Earlston in the Chester Vase on May 8th. (The owners of the horses involved tossed up for the trophy.) Later, the Chester Cup was run and the prize cheeses for the respective owners of the three placed horses each weighed 128 pound.
In 1907, after riding sixty-two consecutive losers, Otto – riding Sancy - dead-heated with Earlston in the Chester Vase on May 8th. (The owners of the horses involved tossed up for the trophy.) Later, the Chester Cup was run and the prize cheeses for the respective owners of the three placed horses each weighed 128 pound.
Otto Madden’s classic wins:
Otto Madden’s classic wins:
Two Thousand Guineas: Norman 111 (1908)
Two Thousand Guineas: Norman 111 (1908)
The Derby: Jeddah (1898)
The Derby: Jeddah (1898)
The Oaks: Musa (1899) and Sunny Jane (19120
The Oaks: Musa (1899) and Sunny Jane (19120
St Leger: Challacombe (1905)
St Leger: Challacombe (1905)
Otto went to school at St Neots, near Huntingdon.
Otto went to school at St Neots, near Huntingdon.
Otto was one of three sons.
Otto was one of three sons.
Arthur Hugo Madden rode for many years in Russia before, in 1906, becoming a trainer in Hoppegarten. He died in Newmarket on 7 December, 1930 aged 55.
Arthur Hugo Madden rode for many years in Russia before, in 1906, becoming a trainer in Hoppegarten. He died in Newmarket on 7 December, 1930 aged 55.
Herbert Madden rode in Austria. He died in Berlin in a nerve sanatorium on January 1, 1902, aged 30.
Herbert Madden rode in Austria. He died in Berlin in a nerve sanatorium on January 1, 1902, aged 30.
