John Sharpe
c1832 -1896
c1832 -1896
In the summer of 1860, John Sharpe was training racehorses in Russia when he received a telegram from James Merry, a Scottish ironmaster and racehorse owner inviting him to ride Thormanby in the Epsom Derby. Apart from the fact that John was so far abroad, he would also need to lose 10lbs. in order to make the weight. John hadn’t long ago retired from the saddle and knew he would be fit enough, but could he shift the necessary weight?
In the summer of 1860, John Sharpe was training racehorses in Russia when he received a telegram from James Merry, a Scottish ironmaster and racehorse owner inviting him to ride Thormanby in the Epsom Derby. Apart from the fact that John was so far abroad, he would also need to lose 10lbs. in order to make the weight. John hadn’t long ago retired from the saddle and knew he would be fit enough, but could he shift the necessary weight?
With the race due to be run in just three days’ time, he thought he could, and accepted the ride. He jumped on the overnight train to Berlin where he arrived at 5 a.m. the next morning (Monday). At every stop of the journey he had disembarked and rigorously exercised to lose weight. He reached Ostend at 11 a.m. Tuesday and spent the rest of the afternoon running and sweating off the pounds. At 6 p.m. when the cross-channel ferry left for Dover. Sharpe was in London by 4 a.m. Derby Day, and made his way to the course.
With the race due to be run in just three days’ time, he thought he could, and accepted the ride. He jumped on the overnight train to Berlin where he arrived at 5 a.m. the next morning (Monday). At every stop of the journey he had disembarked and rigorously exercised to lose weight. He reached Ostend at 11 a.m. Tuesday and spent the rest of the afternoon running and sweating off the pounds. At 6 p.m. when the cross-channel ferry left for Dover. Sharpe was in London by 4 a.m. Derby Day, and made his way to the course.
He continued exercising and, weighing himself before the race, was delighted to find that he was only three-quarters of a pound overweight. James Merry, however, was not, and – as he prepared to mount – Merry informed Sharp that it would be better if Harry Custance, a fresh-faced 18-year-old, rode Thormanby instead. Sharp watched in disbelief as Custance rode the horse to a 1½ lengths victory: Mr. Merry won £85,000 in bets, Custance was given a miserly £100 for his trouble and John Sharpe, having travelled a fruitless 2,000 miles, got nothing.
He continued exercising and, weighing himself before the race, was delighted to find that he was only three-quarters of a pound overweight. James Merry, however, was not, and – as he prepared to mount – Merry informed Sharp that it would be better if Harry Custance, a fresh-faced 18-year-old, rode Thormanby instead. Sharp watched in disbelief as Custance rode the horse to a 1½ lengths victory: Mr. Merry won £85,000 in bets, Custance was given a miserly £100 for his trouble and John Sharpe, having travelled a fruitless 2,000 miles, got nothing.
The above is the version often related and, while it contains some truth, the actual circumstances were as follows:
The above is the version often related and, while it contains some truth, the actual circumstances were as follows:
Henry Custance had ridden Thormanby in most of his work, and would – as far as his trainer, Matt Dawson, was concerned – be riding the horse at Epsom. On the morning of the race, Dawson told Custance that he was very much surprised to learn that a jockey named John Sharpe had arrived from Russia to ride Thormanby and that a local fighting man, Tass Parker - employed to keep touts away - had been sent to Brussels to bring him over. Parker’s instructions were that he was not to leave Sharpe’s side for fear of the jockey getting drunk. Arriving back in England, Parker – no longer a young man – was completely shattered, having spent the last two day and nights travelling. He slipped upstairs for a bath, leaving Sharpe alone. Sharpe immediately asked for, and got, a bottle of brandy which he took to his room.
Henry Custance had ridden Thormanby in most of his work, and would – as far as his trainer, Matt Dawson, was concerned – be riding the horse at Epsom. On the morning of the race, Dawson told Custance that he was very much surprised to learn that a jockey named John Sharpe had arrived from Russia to ride Thormanby and that a local fighting man, Tass Parker - employed to keep touts away - had been sent to Brussels to bring him over. Parker’s instructions were that he was not to leave Sharpe’s side for fear of the jockey getting drunk. Arriving back in England, Parker – no longer a young man – was completely shattered, having spent the last two day and nights travelling. He slipped upstairs for a bath, leaving Sharpe alone. Sharpe immediately asked for, and got, a bottle of brandy which he took to his room.
A fierce argument broke out next day in the paddock between owner Mr Merry and trainer Matthew Dawson. With two horses entered in the race, they had to decide which jockey would ride Thormanby. They settled for Custance, with Sharpe being told to make the running on the other colt, Northern Light. Sharpe was given orders to make all the running, but – due to the brandy supped the evening before – was never in the first ten.
A fierce argument broke out next day in the paddock between owner Mr Merry and trainer Matthew Dawson. With two horses entered in the race, they had to decide which jockey would ride Thormanby. They settled for Custance, with Sharpe being told to make the running on the other colt, Northern Light. Sharpe was given orders to make all the running, but – due to the brandy supped the evening before – was never in the first ten.
John Sharpe never returned to Russia and spent his remaining years loafing around London.
John Sharpe never returned to Russia and spent his remaining years loafing around London.
Born in Petworth, Sussex, John died at Lewis infirmary of chronic bronchitis on September 13 1896 and was buried in St John's Churchyard. He was 64.
Born in Petworth, Sussex, John died at Lewis infirmary of chronic bronchitis on September 13 1896 and was buried in St John's Churchyard. He was 64.
His brother, George Edwin, was also a jockey.
His brother, George Edwin, was also a jockey.