John Singleton Sr.

Born in Kendal, John Singleton Sr was the nephew of John Singleton of Yorkshire (1715-1793). His main claim to fame is that he rode the winner of England’s first Classic race.

John won the inaugural running of the St Leger in 1776 on Lord Rockingham’s brown filly Allabaculia, who beat Colonel Anthony St Leger’s filly Trusty and four others. In fact, the horse, who was sired by Sampson, was unnamed at the time of her victory. In those days it was common for a horse to be identified only by colour, sex and pedigree since the names of their owners were considered of greater importance. Consequently, Allabaculia received her name much later when it had become common practice to give horses names of their own.

John spent part of his career riding in France, where his son, also named John, was born in 1776, the same year as that famous St Leger victory on the filly later to be named Allabaculia. On his return to Britain John Sr became landlord of the Cross Keys in Dringhouses, near York. 

John Jr emulated his father by winning the St Leger and also won the Derby and the Oaks (twice) before his early death at the age of 26.