J. M. Richardson
1846 - 1912
1846 - 1912
John Maunsell Richardson was born on June 12, 1846, in Great Limber, Caistor, Lincolnshire, and was a fine athlete at both Harrow and Cambridge. He was also acknowledged as one of the finest riders of his age.
John Maunsell Richardson was born on June 12, 1846, in Great Limber, Caistor, Lincolnshire, and was a fine athlete at both Harrow and Cambridge. He was also acknowledged as one of the finest riders of his age.
John was aboard Disturbance when that horse won the 1873 Grand National by six lengths in the colours of Captain James Machell. So delighted was Machell with the victory that he held a celebration dinner that very evening.
John was aboard Disturbance when that horse won the 1873 Grand National by six lengths in the colours of Captain James Machell. So delighted was Machell with the victory that he held a celebration dinner that very evening.
Machell was not so delighted the next year when he was represented by the French-bred six-year-old Reugny. He discovered that the Lincolnshire farming friends of John Richardson had secured the best prices about Reugny, with 5/1 the only odds still available.
Machell was not so delighted the next year when he was represented by the French-bred six-year-old Reugny. He discovered that the Lincolnshire farming friends of John Richardson had secured the best prices about Reugny, with 5/1 the only odds still available.
Machell flew into a rage: John, rightly disgusted at the suggestion that he had cheated his friend, threatened not to ride the horse. He relented, but announced that he would never ride again after the race.
Machell flew into a rage: John, rightly disgusted at the suggestion that he had cheated his friend, threatened not to ride the horse. He relented, but announced that he would never ride again after the race.
Though Reugny won by an impressive six lengths, most observers agreed that nobody but John could have won on him that day.
Though Reugny won by an impressive six lengths, most observers agreed that nobody but John could have won on him that day.
True to his word, John never rode again. Instead, in 1894, he became the Conservative Member of Parliament for Brigg in Lincolnshire. He lost his seat in the General Election the following year.
True to his word, John never rode again. Instead, in 1894, he became the Conservative Member of Parliament for Brigg in Lincolnshire. He lost his seat in the General Election the following year.
His two National winners had provided sufficient funds for Captain Machell to re-acquire his family estates in Westmorland.
His two National winners had provided sufficient funds for Captain Machell to re-acquire his family estates in Westmorland.
But he had lost the friendship of John Richardson forever.
But he had lost the friendship of John Richardson forever.
John was an excellent cricketer and played for Harrow in both the 1864 and 1865 matches against Eton. He also played alongside a 17-year-old W. G. Grace.
John was an excellent cricketer and played for Harrow in both the 1864 and 1865 matches against Eton. He also played alongside a 17-year-old W. G. Grace.
In 1881, Richardson married Victoria Alexandrina (née Hare), the Countess of Yarborough and widow of his friend Charles Anderson-Pelham, who had died six years earlier. His wife, though legally Victoria Richardson, continued to be known as Victoria, Countess of Yarborough.
In 1881, Richardson married Victoria Alexandrina (née Hare), the Countess of Yarborough and widow of his friend Charles Anderson-Pelham, who had died six years earlier. His wife, though legally Victoria Richardson, continued to be known as Victoria, Countess of Yarborough.
Aged 65, John Maunsell Richardson died at Westminster, London, on 22 January 1912.
Aged 65, John Maunsell Richardson died at Westminster, London, on 22 January 1912.
One of Captain Machell's party tricks was to jump onto a mantelpiece from a standing start.
One of Captain Machell's party tricks was to jump onto a mantelpiece from a standing start.
On November 10, 1893, Captain James Machell was discovered outside the balcony of a fourth floor hotel window in Liverpool. Crouching, with his feet on the narrow ledge, he had spread his arms around the stone coping balustrade. He was pulled back and taken to his Newmarket home by his valet. He had become temporarily unhinged.
On November 10, 1893, Captain James Machell was discovered outside the balcony of a fourth floor hotel window in Liverpool. Crouching, with his feet on the narrow ledge, he had spread his arms around the stone coping balustrade. He was pulled back and taken to his Newmarket home by his valet. He had become temporarily unhinged.
Best wins:
Best wins:
1870: National Hunt Chase -Schiedam
1870: National Hunt Chase -Schiedam
1871: Scottish Grand national - Keystone
1871: Scottish Grand national - Keystone
1872: Great Metropolitan Chase - Disturbance
1872: Great Metropolitan Chase - Disturbance
1873: Grand National - Disturbance
1873: Grand National - Disturbance
1874: Grand National - Reugny
1874: Grand National - Reugny