On Thursday, August 19, 1852, Edward Rickards, born in 1830, rode the 7-4 favourite Adine to win the Great Ebor Handicap by half a length.
The previous afternoon Adine had won the six-runner Yorkshire Oaks when ridden by Nat Flatman.
In June 1862, Edward was sentenced to one month's hard labour for stealing two bagatelles, value 10s., from the Bridge Inn, Shoreham.
His fortunes had changed by 1867 when he opened his own stud at East Ilsley.
Edward found himself back in court, this time as the plaintiff, on Wednesday 11 August 1875. He was trying to recover the sum of £26,10s. which he claimed Captain White owed him for riding his horses, Gaylad and Outpost.
White denied ever employing Edward, who was unable to prove otherwise. Edward lost his case. He left court feeling that he had 'been done', and vowed not to let the matter rest.
He was still active in the saddle in 1861, winning, among other races, the Members Plate on his own Castenette at Barnstaple and North Devon races.