James Orr-Ewing
1857 - 1900
1857 - 1900
James Alexander Orr-Ewing was born on February 22 1857 and was educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge.
James Alexander Orr-Ewing was born on February 22 1857 and was educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge.
It was his brother John who first spotted the future Grand National winner Cloister, then a three-year-old and the property of Mr Hilliard. Though it was for sale at £150, James saw nothing in the big ungainly colt: he changed his mind after Cloister had done a nice gallop one morning at Phoenix Park, and bought him for £450.
It was his brother John who first spotted the future Grand National winner Cloister, then a three-year-old and the property of Mr Hilliard. Though it was for sale at £150, James saw nothing in the big ungainly colt: he changed his mind after Cloister had done a nice gallop one morning at Phoenix Park, and bought him for £450.
James rode the horse on his debut, in the 16th Lancers Subalterns' Cup at Fairyhouse. Normally loathe to betting when riding, he placed £50 win on himself. Cloister won with the greatest of ease.
James rode the horse on his debut, in the 16th Lancers Subalterns' Cup at Fairyhouse. Normally loathe to betting when riding, he placed £50 win on himself. Cloister won with the greatest of ease.
James - nicknamed The Weasel by his friends - next ran Cloister in the 1888 Irish Grand Military at Punchestown. Together with his brother John, he was then quartered in Dublin. A third brother travelled over from England, expressly for the race.
James - nicknamed The Weasel by his friends - next ran Cloister in the 1888 Irish Grand Military at Punchestown. Together with his brother John, he was then quartered in Dublin. A third brother travelled over from England, expressly for the race.
Then news of their uncle's death reached them and, out of respect for their deceased relative, they initially decided to withdraw the horse.
Then news of their uncle's death reached them and, out of respect for their deceased relative, they initially decided to withdraw the horse.
However, after an animated discussion, it was decided to allow Cloister take his chance and get Mr Babington, a friend, to ride. Despite hitting the big wall and cutting his knees badly, Cloister won.
However, after an animated discussion, it was decided to allow Cloister take his chance and get Mr Babington, a friend, to ride. Despite hitting the big wall and cutting his knees badly, Cloister won.
James wasn't so lucky at Sandown in 1889 when, riding Fatherland, he lost both his irons and was beaten in a desperate finish by Roddy Owen.
James wasn't so lucky at Sandown in 1889 when, riding Fatherland, he lost both his irons and was beaten in a desperate finish by Roddy Owen.
In a two-horse race at Aldershot in 1888, the brothers found themselves facing each other, James on a useful horse called Peter with John aboard The Mazzard.
In a two-horse race at Aldershot in 1888, the brothers found themselves facing each other, James on a useful horse called Peter with John aboard The Mazzard.
James wired his bookmaker, placing £500 to win on himself. Peter won all right, and the generous James threw a massive party to celebrate the event, only to learn afterwards that the betting clerk had made a mistake and only placed £5 to win on the horse, not £500. Two days later, Peter was found dead in its box with a broken back.
James wired his bookmaker, placing £500 to win on himself. Peter won all right, and the generous James threw a massive party to celebrate the event, only to learn afterwards that the betting clerk had made a mistake and only placed £5 to win on the horse, not £500. Two days later, Peter was found dead in its box with a broken back.
James sold Cloister to Lords Dudley and Cowley before leaving for India with his regiment. It went on to win the 1893 Grand National.
James sold Cloister to Lords Dudley and Cowley before leaving for India with his regiment. It went on to win the 1893 Grand National.
Aged 43, Major James Alexander Orr-Ewing was killed in action at Kleis on 28 May 1900 whilst helping a wounded officer out of a river during an engagement with the Boers. He had been married for less than two years.
Aged 43, Major James Alexander Orr-Ewing was killed in action at Kleis on 28 May 1900 whilst helping a wounded officer out of a river during an engagement with the Boers. He had been married for less than two years.