Matt Stephenson
1735 - 1808
1735 - 1808
Matt, born in 1735, was the jockey who, aged 56, rode the Duke of Bedford's Eager to victory in the 1791 Epsom Derby.
Matt, born in 1735, was the jockey who, aged 56, rode the Duke of Bedford's Eager to victory in the 1791 Epsom Derby.
Starting at 5/2, Eager beat the 5/4 favourite Vermin into second place.
Starting at 5/2, Eager beat the 5/4 favourite Vermin into second place.
The Duke then followed up this win by sending out Portia to win the 1791 Oaks, ridden by John Singleton.
The Duke then followed up this win by sending out Portia to win the 1791 Oaks, ridden by John Singleton.
This was not Matt's first victory in the race, nor, indeed, the last.
This was not Matt's first victory in the race, nor, indeed, the last.
Two years earlier, he had trained the 1789 winner Skyscraper ridden by Sam Chifney, and repeated the trick when training a third Derby winner; an unnamed colt by Fidget in 1797, again ridden by John Singleton.
Two years earlier, he had trained the 1789 winner Skyscraper ridden by Sam Chifney, and repeated the trick when training a third Derby winner; an unnamed colt by Fidget in 1797, again ridden by John Singleton.
Matt married John Singleton's sister, Elizabeth. His son and grandson both became trainers.
Matt married John Singleton's sister, Elizabeth. His son and grandson both became trainers.
Matt Stephenson died on January 21, 1808, at Newmarket.
Matt Stephenson died on January 21, 1808, at Newmarket.
His great-great-granddaughter is British biochemist Marjory Stephenson.
His great-great-granddaughter is British biochemist Marjory Stephenson.