Thomas Osborne
1853 - 1920
1853 - 1920
Thomas Osborne (no relation to the famous Yorkshire Osbornes) was first jockey to owner James Merry.
Thomas Osborne (no relation to the famous Yorkshire Osbornes) was first jockey to owner James Merry.
Tom served his apprenticeship with William Saunders at Hednesford and his first big win was on Whinyard in the Liverpool Autumn Cup of 1871.
Tom served his apprenticeship with William Saunders at Hednesford and his first big win was on Whinyard in the Liverpool Autumn Cup of 1871.
Thomas won the 1875 Gimcrack Stakes on Springfield and took the July Stakes on consecutive years (1876 & 1877) on the same horse.
Thomas won the 1875 Gimcrack Stakes on Springfield and took the July Stakes on consecutive years (1876 & 1877) on the same horse.
He did not, however, have the same luck on Springfield in the Criterion Stakes run at Newmarket on Saturday, October 30, 1875.
He did not, however, have the same luck on Springfield in the Criterion Stakes run at Newmarket on Saturday, October 30, 1875.
Carrying 8st. 10lb in a field of six, Springfield was made the 4/6 favourite.
Carrying 8st. 10lb in a field of six, Springfield was made the 4/6 favourite.
The day was cold, the east wind was raw and the race was to be run up a steep hill.
The day was cold, the east wind was raw and the race was to be run up a steep hill.
Springfield appeared to be winning in a canter, but John Osborne, riding Clanronald, got up to beat the favourite by a short head.
Springfield appeared to be winning in a canter, but John Osborne, riding Clanronald, got up to beat the favourite by a short head.
Thomas was castigated for his ride, but was vindicated later in the week when the Dewhurst was run and betrayed a weakness in the colt which no-one had suspected.
Thomas was castigated for his ride, but was vindicated later in the week when the Dewhurst was run and betrayed a weakness in the colt which no-one had suspected.
Tom won the 1873 St Leger for James Merry on Marie Stuart.
Tom won the 1873 St Leger for James Merry on Marie Stuart.
Born in 1853, Thomas died in a Liverpool hospital on Wednesday morning, December 22, 1920.
Born in 1853, Thomas died in a Liverpool hospital on Wednesday morning, December 22, 1920.
He was 67.
He was 67.
In December 1888 he was charged at Worcester with obtaining £10 by fraudulent pretences and, shortly after, was charged with stealing a postal order back in September, 1885. He was jailed for a month with hard labour.
In December 1888 he was charged at Worcester with obtaining £10 by fraudulent pretences and, shortly after, was charged with stealing a postal order back in September, 1885. He was jailed for a month with hard labour.