Thomas Townley
1825 - 1895
1825 - 1895
Thomas Manners Townley was born on April 30, 1825, at Fulbourn Manor, Newmarket, in 1825 and educated at Eton. It was during this time that he learnt the art of race riding from jockey Sam Rogers.
Thomas Manners Townley was born on April 30, 1825, at Fulbourn Manor, Newmarket, in 1825 and educated at Eton. It was during this time that he learnt the art of race riding from jockey Sam Rogers.
Tom was the amateur jockey who rode The Huntsman into second place behind Anatis in the 1860 Grand National.
Tom was the amateur jockey who rode The Huntsman into second place behind Anatis in the 1860 Grand National.
He always declared that but for getting both feet out of their irons at Becher's Brook and a collision at the last, he must have won - on the other hand, Mr Thomas, who rode the winner, is equally certain that Townley's woes made no difference to the result explaining that he already had the race won well before they happened.
He always declared that but for getting both feet out of their irons at Becher's Brook and a collision at the last, he must have won - on the other hand, Mr Thomas, who rode the winner, is equally certain that Townley's woes made no difference to the result explaining that he already had the race won well before they happened.
What we do know for certain is that Tom Townley, realising on the run-in that he was beaten, offered Mr Thomas £1,000 to throw the race, an unsporting offer ignored by the winning rider.
What we do know for certain is that Tom Townley, realising on the run-in that he was beaten, offered Mr Thomas £1,000 to throw the race, an unsporting offer ignored by the winning rider.
With the 10th Hussars, Captain Thomas Townley served in India: it was whilst here, and in the Crimea, that he rode a great number of winners.
With the 10th Hussars, Captain Thomas Townley served in India: it was whilst here, and in the Crimea, that he rode a great number of winners.
It was whilst riding at Jenkinstown Park near Kilkenny that he met his life-long friend, Mr John Chadwick. Tom, riding Waterfall, defeated John, riding a horse carrying 13 st 7 lb.
It was whilst riding at Jenkinstown Park near Kilkenny that he met his life-long friend, Mr John Chadwick. Tom, riding Waterfall, defeated John, riding a horse carrying 13 st 7 lb.
Having never won a big race of note, Tom spent the last few years of his life in comparative retirement and, after a long illness, died, aged sixty-nine, at his home in Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square, on 9 April 1895. He was buried alongside his brother, Charles, in the family vault at Fulbourn.
Having never won a big race of note, Tom spent the last few years of his life in comparative retirement and, after a long illness, died, aged sixty-nine, at his home in Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square, on 9 April 1895. He was buried alongside his brother, Charles, in the family vault at Fulbourn.