Simeon Templeman
1805 -1884
1805 -1884
Simeon - always known as Sim – was born in the East Riding village of Everingham. some four miles south of Pocklington. Of small and wiry stature, he joined the racing stables of Tommy Sykes in Malton, gaining his first ride in public in 1819 at Malton races on Unity, owned by the Pocklington GP Doctor Bell.
Simeon - always known as Sim – was born in the East Riding village of Everingham. some four miles south of Pocklington. Of small and wiry stature, he joined the racing stables of Tommy Sykes in Malton, gaining his first ride in public in 1819 at Malton races on Unity, owned by the Pocklington GP Doctor Bell.
Sim rode his first winner at Catterick in 1821, his odd style of riding drawing much comment. He rode with his legs sticking out so straight that his toes were in front of the horse’s shoulders. This did not stop him winning the 1839 Derby on Bloomsbury, a horse widely believed to have been a four-year-old. The horse had not run in public before Epsom and, with no form to go on, bookmakers allowed him to start at 25/1 in a field of 21. The race was run in a blinding snowstorm. Templeman made his move in the last furlong to win cleverly by a length.
Sim rode his first winner at Catterick in 1821, his odd style of riding drawing much comment. He rode with his legs sticking out so straight that his toes were in front of the horse’s shoulders. This did not stop him winning the 1839 Derby on Bloomsbury, a horse widely believed to have been a four-year-old. The horse had not run in public before Epsom and, with no form to go on, bookmakers allowed him to start at 25/1 in a field of 21. The race was run in a blinding snowstorm. Templeman made his move in the last furlong to win cleverly by a length.
The very next year, Little Wonder – another horse said to be four - won the Derby.
The very next year, Little Wonder – another horse said to be four - won the Derby.
He won the inaugural running of the York Ebor in 1843 when he rode Pagan for Colonel Craddock.
He won the inaugural running of the York Ebor in 1843 when he rode Pagan for Colonel Craddock.
Sam went on to win two more Derbies: Cossack in 1847 and Surplice in 1848. He was also aboard three Oaks winners and the 1851 St Leger winner Newminster, owned by local chemist Anthony Nichols.
Sam went on to win two more Derbies: Cossack in 1847 and Surplice in 1848. He was also aboard three Oaks winners and the 1851 St Leger winner Newminster, owned by local chemist Anthony Nichols.
Sim married Sarah, a daughter of Sylvester Reed, landlord of the Old Sandhill Inn in Colliergate. York which closed down in 1910. Sarah produced 3 children and the family moved to Burnby House, near Pocklington, which Sim had built with his winnings.
Sim married Sarah, a daughter of Sylvester Reed, landlord of the Old Sandhill Inn in Colliergate. York which closed down in 1910. Sarah produced 3 children and the family moved to Burnby House, near Pocklington, which Sim had built with his winnings.
He became the owner of substantial land and property in Burnby, Hayton and Pocklington. He bought a house on the Balk in Pocklington in 1840 and renamed it Bloomsbury after his Derby-winning mount, a name it still bears today.
He became the owner of substantial land and property in Burnby, Hayton and Pocklington. He bought a house on the Balk in Pocklington in 1840 and renamed it Bloomsbury after his Derby-winning mount, a name it still bears today.
Simeon retired to a terraced house in Heworth Road, York, where he died aged 78 on March 12, 1884. He was buried in York Cemetery.
Simeon retired to a terraced house in Heworth Road, York, where he died aged 78 on March 12, 1884. He was buried in York Cemetery.
He went blind in later life.
He went blind in later life.
Simeon left a personal estate of £3,073 7s. 8d.
Simeon left a personal estate of £3,073 7s. 8d.
It was said that he was a brilliant rider to hounds: he was also a crack shot and an excellent farmer.
It was said that he was a brilliant rider to hounds: he was also a crack shot and an excellent farmer.
Sim’s parents were Charles John Templeman and Jane Templeman.
Sim’s parents were Charles John Templeman and Jane Templeman.
Sim was baptised on 13th July 1805
Sim was baptised on 13th July 1805
Simeon Templeman’s classic winners:
Simeon Templeman’s classic winners:
Derby: Bloomsbury (1839), Cossack (1847) and Surplice (1848)
Derby: Bloomsbury (1839), Cossack (1847) and Surplice (1848)
Oaks: Miami (1847), Cynba (1848) and Marchioness (1855)
Oaks: Miami (1847), Cynba (1848) and Marchioness (1855)
St Leger: Newminster (1851)
St Leger: Newminster (1851)