Sam Rogers
1819 - 1870
1819 - 1870
Sam Rogers, whose father, Joseph, was the private trainer to Lord Lowther, was a strong, somewhat coarse, individual with the foul language to match.
Sam Rogers, whose father, Joseph, was the private trainer to Lord Lowther, was a strong, somewhat coarse, individual with the foul language to match.
Born on June 23, 1819, he was retained by Lord George Bentinck, whose horses were trained by John Kent at Goodwood. In 1842 he won the 1,000 Guineas for Lord George on Firebrand. The next year Sam came fourth on Gasper in the Derby won by Cotherstone. Lord George had substantially backed Gasper, and accused Sam of throwing the race away by making too much use of his mount: greatly incensed, Sam swore to avenge himself when the opportunity arose.
Born on June 23, 1819, he was retained by Lord George Bentinck, whose horses were trained by John Kent at Goodwood. In 1842 he won the 1,000 Guineas for Lord George on Firebrand. The next year Sam came fourth on Gasper in the Derby won by Cotherstone. Lord George had substantially backed Gasper, and accused Sam of throwing the race away by making too much use of his mount: greatly incensed, Sam swore to avenge himself when the opportunity arose.
This came when he rode Ratan in the 1844 Derby. Once again Lord George punted heavily on Sam's mount but then heard that Sam himself was laying the horse. Lord George succeeded in obtaining the jockey's betting book and, on the steps of the Spread Eagle Hotel in Epsom, read out its contents to a gathered assembly of racing men. If the idea was to shame the jockey into making maximum efforts to win on Ratan, it failed miserably. Though made second favourite at 3/1, the horse ran deplorably, finishing unplaced to Running Rein, subsequently proved to be a four-year-old.
This came when he rode Ratan in the 1844 Derby. Once again Lord George punted heavily on Sam's mount but then heard that Sam himself was laying the horse. Lord George succeeded in obtaining the jockey's betting book and, on the steps of the Spread Eagle Hotel in Epsom, read out its contents to a gathered assembly of racing men. If the idea was to shame the jockey into making maximum efforts to win on Ratan, it failed miserably. Though made second favourite at 3/1, the horse ran deplorably, finishing unplaced to Running Rein, subsequently proved to be a four-year-old.
Sam was summoned to appear before the jockey Club Stewards where, surprisingly, he confessed that he had accepted a large bribe to stop Ratan winning.
Sam was summoned to appear before the jockey Club Stewards where, surprisingly, he confessed that he had accepted a large bribe to stop Ratan winning.
He was warned off, but, three years later, Lord George used his considerable influence as Senior Steward of the Jockey Club to have Sam re-instated.
He was warned off, but, three years later, Lord George used his considerable influence as Senior Steward of the Jockey Club to have Sam re-instated.
Sam showed he was as good as ever when taking his second 1,000 Guineas aboard Habena in 1855.
Sam showed he was as good as ever when taking his second 1,000 Guineas aboard Habena in 1855.
When his father died in 1854, Sam took over the stable.
When his father died in 1854, Sam took over the stable.
Sam died at Newmarket on March 13, 1870. Aged 50, he left over £3,000.
Sam died at Newmarket on March 13, 1870. Aged 50, he left over £3,000.
He had two sons; Joseph who died in 1904 & William who died in 1902.
He had two sons; Joseph who died in 1904 & William who died in 1902.