Hugh Owen
1852 - 1908
1852 - 1908
Born in Cheltenham in 1852, Mr Hugh Darby Annesley Owen - the elder brother of Roddy Owen - was one of the best-known gentleman riders of his day who rode against such other leading lights as Lord Marcus Beresford, Arthur Coventry, Wenty Hope-Johnstone and George Lambton.
Born in Cheltenham in 1852, Mr Hugh Darby Annesley Owen - the elder brother of Roddy Owen - was one of the best-known gentleman riders of his day who rode against such other leading lights as Lord Marcus Beresford, Arthur Coventry, Wenty Hope-Johnstone and George Lambton.
He first wore racing colours on Mr Morgan Crofton's Checkmate, finishing second in the Severn Banks Steeplechase at Worcester in the early 1870s. One of the best horses he rode was Phantom, belonging to Sir William Throckmorton. On this he won the 1884 Bibury Stakes at Stockbridge carrying 12 st. 7 lb. before, the following afternoon, landing the Andover Stakes with the even greater burden of 13 st.
He first wore racing colours on Mr Morgan Crofton's Checkmate, finishing second in the Severn Banks Steeplechase at Worcester in the early 1870s. One of the best horses he rode was Phantom, belonging to Sir William Throckmorton. On this he won the 1884 Bibury Stakes at Stockbridge carrying 12 st. 7 lb. before, the following afternoon, landing the Andover Stakes with the even greater burden of 13 st.
He was a great friend of Bay Middleton, often riding his horses. Some of the great jumpers he rode included Thornfield, Citizen, Solicitor and Earl Marshall.
He was a great friend of Bay Middleton, often riding his horses. Some of the great jumpers he rode included Thornfield, Citizen, Solicitor and Earl Marshall.
Hugh frequently took rides in France, Aix, Baden and Frankfurt.
Hugh frequently took rides in France, Aix, Baden and Frankfurt.
He later became a Jockey Club starter and, though always urbane in manner, he possessed plenty of the necessary firmness and jockeys quickly realised that they could not take liberties with him.
He later became a Jockey Club starter and, though always urbane in manner, he possessed plenty of the necessary firmness and jockeys quickly realised that they could not take liberties with him.
He resigned in 1907 and set up a small stable of N.H. horses at Easton.
He resigned in 1907 and set up a small stable of N.H. horses at Easton.
On Thursday, March 12 1908, Hugh Owen - then living at Nether Green Lodge, Great Bowden, Market Harborough - was killed whilst hunting in the vicinity of Langston & Kibworth with Mr Fernie's Hounds. His mount fell at a wide ditch, his unfortunate rider pitching headfirst onto the ground. He was taken by ambulance to Great Bowden where he died, at nine that evening, without regaining consciousness. He was 55.
On Thursday, March 12 1908, Hugh Owen - then living at Nether Green Lodge, Great Bowden, Market Harborough - was killed whilst hunting in the vicinity of Langston & Kibworth with Mr Fernie's Hounds. His mount fell at a wide ditch, his unfortunate rider pitching headfirst onto the ground. He was taken by ambulance to Great Bowden where he died, at nine that evening, without regaining consciousness. He was 55.
He was buried at the little cemetery of Market Harborough while, simultaneously, a memorial service was held at St Paul's Church in Wilton Place.
He was buried at the little cemetery of Market Harborough while, simultaneously, a memorial service was held at St Paul's Church in Wilton Place.