Joe Wynne
Aintree, Wednesday March 12 1862.
Aintree, Wednesday March 12 1862.
The day had dawned crisp and bright. Now, as the 13 runners for The Grand National circled at the start, for one jockey - young Joseph Wynne, sat upon O'Connell - it was a poignant moment.
The day had dawned crisp and bright. Now, as the 13 runners for The Grand National circled at the start, for one jockey - young Joseph Wynne, sat upon O'Connell - it was a poignant moment.
Earlier that day he had received the ghastly news from Ireland that his beloved sister had died.
Earlier that day he had received the ghastly news from Ireland that his beloved sister had died.
Learning of the bereavement, Lord de Freyne, owner of O'Connell, tried to talk Joseph out of riding, saying that he would get the distressed jockey back to Ireland with the utmost speed.
Learning of the bereavement, Lord de Freyne, owner of O'Connell, tried to talk Joseph out of riding, saying that he would get the distressed jockey back to Ireland with the utmost speed.
Though grief-stricken, Joseph had refused. His father, Denny, had ridden Matthew to win the 1847 Grand National and had filled the young jockey's head with the race's folklore.
Though grief-stricken, Joseph had refused. His father, Denny, had ridden Matthew to win the 1847 Grand National and had filled the young jockey's head with the race's folklore.
So, at 3.30 - half an hour past post time - the 13 runners set off.
So, at 3.30 - half an hour past post time - the 13 runners set off.
On reaching the hurdle before the brook, Playman, ridden by Mr A Yates, overjumped and fell, causing O'Connell and Willoughby to cannon into each other. Both came down. Willoughby got up immediately with his rider, Mr Lington, still in the saddle. But Joseph lay insensible and, somehow, the riderless Playman stumbled and fell on him.
On reaching the hurdle before the brook, Playman, ridden by Mr A Yates, overjumped and fell, causing O'Connell and Willoughby to cannon into each other. Both came down. Willoughby got up immediately with his rider, Mr Lington, still in the saddle. But Joseph lay insensible and, somehow, the riderless Playman stumbled and fell on him.
Joseph was quickly carried to the nearby Sefton Arms where, his chest bone crushed, he failed to regain consciousness.
Joseph was quickly carried to the nearby Sefton Arms where, his chest bone crushed, he failed to regain consciousness.
Joseph died at 8 that evening.
Joseph died at 8 that evening.
There is unnecessary confusion about Joseph's first name: the vast majority of racing publications give it as James: most books relating the history of the Grand National do the same, but it was simply not so.
There is unnecessary confusion about Joseph's first name: the vast majority of racing publications give it as James: most books relating the history of the Grand National do the same, but it was simply not so.
The confusion was caused when another successful jockey riding in Ireland, called James Wynne, died months earlier (April 1861) from consumption, aged just 23.
The confusion was caused when another successful jockey riding in Ireland, called James Wynne, died months earlier (April 1861) from consumption, aged just 23.
Joseph is referred to in a contemporary Irish newspaper as Joe.
Joseph is referred to in a contemporary Irish newspaper as Joe.