John Osborne
1833 – 1922
1833 – 1922
John Howe Osborne was born at Gorey House, Bretby, South Derbyshire, on Monday 7th January 1833, the third of four sons of “Old John”, the famous Yorkshire trainer, whose stables stood on the verge of Middleham Moor. “Old John” was the owner and trainer of the famous mare Agnes, from whom descended Ormonde, Sceptre and many other notable horses.
John Howe Osborne was born at Gorey House, Bretby, South Derbyshire, on Monday 7th January 1833, the third of four sons of “Old John”, the famous Yorkshire trainer, whose stables stood on the verge of Middleham Moor. “Old John” was the owner and trainer of the famous mare Agnes, from whom descended Ormonde, Sceptre and many other notable horses.
John Junior was educated at Brampton-on-Swale, Catterick, where he lived with his grandparents.
John Junior was educated at Brampton-on-Swale, Catterick, where he lived with his grandparents.
Riding out as a nine-year-old, he served his apprenticeship with his father (also called John Howe) and had his first ride in public on Miss Castling in the Wilton Cup at the now-defunct Radcliffe Bridge, Bury, in 1846. It was not a memorable beginning with Miss Castling breaking down in the two-mile contest. His first winning ride came two years later at Ripon, riding Billy From Brigg.
Riding out as a nine-year-old, he served his apprenticeship with his father (also called John Howe) and had his first ride in public on Miss Castling in the Wilton Cup at the now-defunct Radcliffe Bridge, Bury, in 1846. It was not a memorable beginning with Miss Castling breaking down in the two-mile contest. His first winning ride came two years later at Ripon, riding Billy From Brigg.
Gradually the winners began to flow – as a sixteen-year-old in 1849 he won the Newton Cup in on the one-eyed Pity the Blind and, in the same year, the Liverpool Cup on the 20/1 outsider Bon Mot. His father gave him the Liverpool Cup as a keepsake. John kept it in his possession until his dying day.
Gradually the winners began to flow – as a sixteen-year-old in 1849 he won the Newton Cup in on the one-eyed Pity the Blind and, in the same year, the Liverpool Cup on the 20/1 outsider Bon Mot. His father gave him the Liverpool Cup as a keepsake. John kept it in his possession until his dying day.
John Osborne rode for a remarkable 46 years and rode in thirty-eight Derbies, winning it once on Pretender in 1869. His last Derby ride was in 1891. He also rode in 36 St Legers.
John Osborne rode for a remarkable 46 years and rode in thirty-eight Derbies, winning it once on Pretender in 1869. His last Derby ride was in 1891. He also rode in 36 St Legers.
He also won the 2,000 Guineas on six occasions – Vedette (1857), Pretender (1869), Bothwell (1871), Prince Charlie (1872), Camballo (1875) and Ayrshire, at the age of 55 (1888). He was twice successful in the 1,000 Guineas – Manganese (1856) and Apology (1874) on whom he also won the Oaks and St Leger. Lord Clifden (1863) had been an earlier St Leger winner for him, but only just. Having completely missed the break and been left at the post, Lord Clifden’s chance seemed remote. John kept his head as he trailed the field, allowing the favourite’s tremendous stride to tell. Gradually they threaded through the others, hitting the front at the furlong marker. At the post Lord Clifden was half-a-length in front, and a mighty gamble had been landed.
He also won the 2,000 Guineas on six occasions – Vedette (1857), Pretender (1869), Bothwell (1871), Prince Charlie (1872), Camballo (1875) and Ayrshire, at the age of 55 (1888). He was twice successful in the 1,000 Guineas – Manganese (1856) and Apology (1874) on whom he also won the Oaks and St Leger. Lord Clifden (1863) had been an earlier St Leger winner for him, but only just. Having completely missed the break and been left at the post, Lord Clifden’s chance seemed remote. John kept his head as he trailed the field, allowing the favourite’s tremendous stride to tell. Gradually they threaded through the others, hitting the front at the furlong marker. At the post Lord Clifden was half-a-length in front, and a mighty gamble had been landed.
John, having won three Classics on her, thought highly of Apology (who was owned by clergyman the Rev. Smith). Apology’s win in the St Leger was extraordinary for a report that she had pulled up lame on the gallops that very morning caused panic, and her price drifted to 50/1. It would be unthinkable to run her nowadays under such circumstances, but run her they did – for the rumours were unfounded. Racing without a trace of lameness, Apology took up the running entering the straight. John Osborne sat perfectly still as the filly cantered to a length and a half victory.
John, having won three Classics on her, thought highly of Apology (who was owned by clergyman the Rev. Smith). Apology’s win in the St Leger was extraordinary for a report that she had pulled up lame on the gallops that very morning caused panic, and her price drifted to 50/1. It would be unthinkable to run her nowadays under such circumstances, but run her they did – for the rumours were unfounded. Racing without a trace of lameness, Apology took up the running entering the straight. John Osborne sat perfectly still as the filly cantered to a length and a half victory.
He had two bad accidents as a rider: in1888 a policeman's horse jumped onto the course at Hull bringing down his mount Jesse and dislocating his shoulder. Then, in 1891, the horse Cavendish slipped up on the Canal turn at Liverpool. John broke three ribs.
He had two bad accidents as a rider: in1888 a policeman's horse jumped onto the course at Hull bringing down his mount Jesse and dislocating his shoulder. Then, in 1891, the horse Cavendish slipped up on the Canal turn at Liverpool. John broke three ribs.
He thought that the best two-year-old he ever rode was his father’s 1852 Gimcrack winner, Exact. John rode the winner of the Gimcrack an amazing nine times.
He thought that the best two-year-old he ever rode was his father’s 1852 Gimcrack winner, Exact. John rode the winner of the Gimcrack an amazing nine times.
He took a bad fall in Durham in 1885 which kept him out of the saddle for some time.
He took a bad fall in Durham in 1885 which kept him out of the saddle for some time.
His retirement was marked by the presentation of a £3,600 cheque after a subscription from his friends and admirers was opened in his honour. It was common knowledge that, despite his success in the saddle, he was in need of the money from the fund. He had brought up ten sons and three daughters and had made substantial gifts to the poor of Middleham and Wensleydale, thus stretching his resources over the years. He had also been unsuccessful in his betting coups, never having brought one off.
His retirement was marked by the presentation of a £3,600 cheque after a subscription from his friends and admirers was opened in his honour. It was common knowledge that, despite his success in the saddle, he was in need of the money from the fund. He had brought up ten sons and three daughters and had made substantial gifts to the poor of Middleham and Wensleydale, thus stretching his resources over the years. He had also been unsuccessful in his betting coups, never having brought one off.
His last ride of was on Watercress in the 1892 St Leger. He finished 3rd behind La Fleche.
His last ride of was on Watercress in the 1892 St Leger. He finished 3rd behind La Fleche.
Brecongill was an unpretentious, old-fashioned two-story house in Middleham. Built substantially from stone, it had stables to the back, and it was from this abode that John Osborne began training. Ashgill, a similar property about a quarter of a mile away, had been acquired by his father in 1837 and
Brecongill was an unpretentious, old-fashioned two-story house in Middleham. Built substantially from stone, it had stables to the back, and it was from this abode that John Osborne began training. Ashgill, a similar property about a quarter of a mile away, had been acquired by his father in 1837 and
John used this as the main home.
John used this as the main home.
He preferred riding to training and was a regular follower of the hounds during the winter. A non-smoker, he attributed his long life to early rising, fresh air and the keeping of regular hours. He regularly attended Coverham church and once was the only member of the congregation present when the vicar ascended into the pulpit. A heavy fall of snow had keep away everyone else.
He preferred riding to training and was a regular follower of the hounds during the winter. A non-smoker, he attributed his long life to early rising, fresh air and the keeping of regular hours. He regularly attended Coverham church and once was the only member of the congregation present when the vicar ascended into the pulpit. A heavy fall of snow had keep away everyone else.
On Sunday morning, September 10th 1922, John Osborne attended church and, on his return, was inspecting his poultry when he suffered a massive heart attack and died. He left £7,314.
On Sunday morning, September 10th 1922, John Osborne attended church and, on his return, was inspecting his poultry when he suffered a massive heart attack and died. He left £7,314.
John's son Frederick, who had served time as an architect, took over the running of Brecongill.
John's son Frederick, who had served time as an architect, took over the running of Brecongill.
Johns father – John Howe Osborne, was born in 1801 and died 31st July 1865 aged 63. His mother, Mary Arrowsmith, was born in 1805 and died 24th November 1883 aged 79. Both were buried at Coverham Church.
Johns father – John Howe Osborne, was born in 1801 and died 31st July 1865 aged 63. His mother, Mary Arrowsmith, was born in 1805 and died 24th November 1883 aged 79. Both were buried at Coverham Church.
Tom Dawson, who trained Pretender to win the1869 Derby, won a substantial amount of money on the result and put the money into an old hatbox tied with string. He travelled back home by train, putting the hatbox under the carriage seat. He got off the train at Northallerton, completely forgetting about the box and did not discover his loss until he got home. The box and its contents were lost for three weeks before they were returned to him without a single note missing.
Tom Dawson, who trained Pretender to win the1869 Derby, won a substantial amount of money on the result and put the money into an old hatbox tied with string. He travelled back home by train, putting the hatbox under the carriage seat. He got off the train at Northallerton, completely forgetting about the box and did not discover his loss until he got home. The box and its contents were lost for three weeks before they were returned to him without a single note missing.
John Osborne's classic wins:
John Osborne's classic wins:
Two Thousand Guineas: Verdette (1857), Pretender (1869), Bothwell (1871), Prince Charlie (1872), Camballo (1875) and Ayrshire (1888)
Two Thousand Guineas: Verdette (1857), Pretender (1869), Bothwell (1871), Prince Charlie (1872), Camballo (1875) and Ayrshire (1888)
One Thousand Guineas: Manganese (1856) and Apology (1874)
One Thousand Guineas: Manganese (1856) and Apology (1874)
The Derby: Pretender (1869)
The Derby: Pretender (1869)
The Oaks: Apology (1874)St Leger: Lord Clifden (1863) and Apology (1874)
The Oaks: Apology (1874)St Leger: Lord Clifden (1863) and Apology (1874)