Edward Rossiter
1859 - 1901
1859 - 1901
Edward Rossiter was born in Datchet, near Windsor in 1859 and was the son of Francis Rossiter, who occupied the position of Coachman to Mr Charter of Slough before becoming employed at the Queen's Stable at Windsor Castle.
Edward Rossiter was born in Datchet, near Windsor in 1859 and was the son of Francis Rossiter, who occupied the position of Coachman to Mr Charter of Slough before becoming employed at the Queen's Stable at Windsor Castle.
In December, 1872, Edward applied to the Newmarket trainer Charles Blanton seeking work as a stable lad. He was accepted and such was his subsequent promise, he was given an apprenticeship.
In December, 1872, Edward applied to the Newmarket trainer Charles Blanton seeking work as a stable lad. He was accepted and such was his subsequent promise, he was given an apprenticeship.
It was 18 months before he made his debut in public. This was at the Sutton Park (Birmingham) July Meeting in 1874 when he partnered Gamehen in the six-runner Flying Stakes. He finished third on the rank outsider.
It was 18 months before he made his debut in public. This was at the Sutton Park (Birmingham) July Meeting in 1874 when he partnered Gamehen in the six-runner Flying Stakes. He finished third on the rank outsider.
Next time out he rode his first winner. This was on Prince Soltykoff's Tripaway in the Newcastle Stakes on the last day of the Newmarket July Week. His riding that day greatly pleased both the Prince and Mr Blanton: Edward had won by a head from Charles Moreby on Vril, who finished a neck in front of the Tangible, ridden by Fred Webb. On his only other ride that afternoon he had finished second to easy winner Nectar in the Suffolk Stakes.
Next time out he rode his first winner. This was on Prince Soltykoff's Tripaway in the Newcastle Stakes on the last day of the Newmarket July Week. His riding that day greatly pleased both the Prince and Mr Blanton: Edward had won by a head from Charles Moreby on Vril, who finished a neck in front of the Tangible, ridden by Fred Webb. On his only other ride that afternoon he had finished second to easy winner Nectar in the Suffolk Stakes.
He next rode at Brighton where, after a month's absence from public riding, he was unplaced on Hoodwink in the Ovingdean Plate. He then has five unsuccessful rides at Lewes and a further three at Doncaster.
He next rode at Brighton where, after a month's absence from public riding, he was unplaced on Hoodwink in the Ovingdean Plate. He then has five unsuccessful rides at Lewes and a further three at Doncaster.
Edward's next winner was Broomieknowe in a Sweepstakes at Newmarket when he beat the George Fordham-ridden Le Champis.
Edward's next winner was Broomieknowe in a Sweepstakes at Newmarket when he beat the George Fordham-ridden Le Champis.
He was getting plenty of rides but not another winner until piloting Nougat in the Feather Plate at Newmarket, a race which had frequently been the stepping-stone of many a good jockey to fame and fortune - indeed, it was once almost a custom to keep promising boys at home until they could make their debut in this event.
He was getting plenty of rides but not another winner until piloting Nougat in the Feather Plate at Newmarket, a race which had frequently been the stepping-stone of many a good jockey to fame and fortune - indeed, it was once almost a custom to keep promising boys at home until they could make their debut in this event.
On the last day of the Houghton meeting, Edward, riding King Victor, won a selling race in the straw jacket of Sir John Astley. He then rode in several races at Liverpool and Shrewsbury without success. His run of bad luck wasn't broken until scoring on Florimel at Warwick by a head from Highlander (Thompson) in the Guy Cup.
On the last day of the Houghton meeting, Edward, riding King Victor, won a selling race in the straw jacket of Sir John Astley. He then rode in several races at Liverpool and Shrewsbury without success. His run of bad luck wasn't broken until scoring on Florimel at Warwick by a head from Highlander (Thompson) in the Guy Cup.
He won twice on The Ghost at Epsom, both times landing substantial gambles
He won twice on The Ghost at Epsom, both times landing substantial gambles
The following season, 1875, Edward had 168 mounts, of which 27 were winners. 27 came second and another 17 finished third.
The following season, 1875, Edward had 168 mounts, of which 27 were winners. 27 came second and another 17 finished third.
His first mount that season was in the City Plate at Lincoln which was unplaced. His first winner of the season was The Gunner in the Lincoln Handicap which he waited with until the final furlong before kicking on for an easy victory.
His first mount that season was in the City Plate at Lincoln which was unplaced. His first winner of the season was The Gunner in the Lincoln Handicap which he waited with until the final furlong before kicking on for an easy victory.
His biggest wins came in the 1880 Champion Stakes on Robert the Devil and the 1875 Cesarewitch on Duke of Parma. He also won the 1879 Dewhurst Stakes on Grace Cup and the 1876 Great Metropolitan Handicap on New Holland.
His biggest wins came in the 1880 Champion Stakes on Robert the Devil and the 1875 Cesarewitch on Duke of Parma. He also won the 1879 Dewhurst Stakes on Grace Cup and the 1876 Great Metropolitan Handicap on New Holland.
Edward was married on December 4, 1880 then divorced on July 2, 1885 after discovering that his wife had slept with another man. They had no children.
Edward was married on December 4, 1880 then divorced on July 2, 1885 after discovering that his wife had slept with another man. They had no children.
His divorce preyed heavily upon his mind - on Wednesday evening, September 30, 1885, Edward attempted suicide. He told his fellow drinkers at the Horse Shoe Inn that he intended to end his life and showed them a razor with which he intended to cut his throat. He also carried with him two letters addressed to friends, explaining his action.
His divorce preyed heavily upon his mind - on Wednesday evening, September 30, 1885, Edward attempted suicide. He told his fellow drinkers at the Horse Shoe Inn that he intended to end his life and showed them a razor with which he intended to cut his throat. He also carried with him two letters addressed to friends, explaining his action.
After he left the inn, a search party was quickly organised to scour the heath, and at midnight Edward was found in a ditch in Warren Hill Plantation with his throat cut. The razor was by his side. He was conveyed back to his lodgings and a surgeon, Mr Wright, was called in. He survived.
After he left the inn, a search party was quickly organised to scour the heath, and at midnight Edward was found in a ditch in Warren Hill Plantation with his throat cut. The razor was by his side. He was conveyed back to his lodgings and a surgeon, Mr Wright, was called in. He survived.
Edward's drinking habit worsened. He died in Newmarket on May 7, 1901 aged 42. The cause of death was paralysis, possibly due to his excessive drinking or brought on by the number of falls he'd suffered.
Edward's drinking habit worsened. He died in Newmarket on May 7, 1901 aged 42. The cause of death was paralysis, possibly due to his excessive drinking or brought on by the number of falls he'd suffered.
He was buried on May 10, 1901.
He was buried on May 10, 1901.