William Newhouse
William Newhouse, unquestionably the best light-weight of his day, was born in Norwich in 1853, and it was here that he spent the greater part of his youth.
William Newhouse, unquestionably the best light-weight of his day, was born in Norwich in 1853, and it was here that he spent the greater part of his youth.
In 1866, aged thirteen and weighing just three stone, he began a five-year apprenticeship with the East Ilsley trainer Joseph Lowe, being taught the rudiments of his chosen profession on the famous Ilsley Downs.
In 1866, aged thirteen and weighing just three stone, he began a five-year apprenticeship with the East Ilsley trainer Joseph Lowe, being taught the rudiments of his chosen profession on the famous Ilsley Downs.
Such was his progress that on Tuesday, May 26, 1866, he made his racecourse debut. Riding Fleetwing in the Heathcote Plate at Epsom, he finished fourth.
Such was his progress that on Tuesday, May 26, 1866, he made his racecourse debut. Riding Fleetwing in the Heathcote Plate at Epsom, he finished fourth.
William's first win came at Dover that August: riding Charivari in the Lord Warden Plate he beat Penfold on Croquet and Marsh on Lord Derby.
William's first win came at Dover that August: riding Charivari in the Lord Warden Plate he beat Penfold on Croquet and Marsh on Lord Derby.
The following season he was put up on fifty-one occasions: many of the horses were indifferent - consequently he won on just four.
The following season he was put up on fifty-one occasions: many of the horses were indifferent - consequently he won on just four.
He first came to the public's eye when winning on Mr Beadman's 2-y-o colt Touch And Go at Lewes, April 23, 1869.
He first came to the public's eye when winning on Mr Beadman's 2-y-o colt Touch And Go at Lewes, April 23, 1869.
So small was he that he had to be lifted into the saddle.
So small was he that he had to be lifted into the saddle.
William was much in demand throughout 1870, riding in 199 races, winning on 35 occasions. Though his star was very much in the ascendant, he was still treated as a mere stable boy as was the custom. He had to clean his horse every night, fpor which purpose he stood on a bucket.
William was much in demand throughout 1870, riding in 199 races, winning on 35 occasions. Though his star was very much in the ascendant, he was still treated as a mere stable boy as was the custom. He had to clean his horse every night, fpor which purpose he stood on a bucket.
He first distinguished himself that year by beating the brilliant Tom Cannon. William was on Magdala -Tom on Capsicum: in a cracking race (at Croydon), he won by a head.
He first distinguished himself that year by beating the brilliant Tom Cannon. William was on Magdala -Tom on Capsicum: in a cracking race (at Croydon), he won by a head.
Later, riding 25-1 outsider Our Mary Anne in the Chester Cup, he confirmed his promise when gaining a clever victory.
Later, riding 25-1 outsider Our Mary Anne in the Chester Cup, he confirmed his promise when gaining a clever victory.
Next up was the Royal Hunt Cup. Instructed to make every yard to gain full use of his light weight, William, riding Judge, lead throughout.
Next up was the Royal Hunt Cup. Instructed to make every yard to gain full use of his light weight, William, riding Judge, lead throughout.
With two such races readily won, demand for his services was suddenly great: he began riding for such luminaries as Baron Rothschild, Sir George Chetwyn and the redoubtable Mr Merry.
With two such races readily won, demand for his services was suddenly great: he began riding for such luminaries as Baron Rothschild, Sir George Chetwyn and the redoubtable Mr Merry.
In 1871 his mounts increased to 261 yielding 42 winners. However, he failed to ride a big winner: also, his apprenticeship came to an end.
In 1871 his mounts increased to 261 yielding 42 winners. However, he failed to ride a big winner: also, his apprenticeship came to an end.
This did not slow his meteoric rise - in 1872, from 359 races, he claimed 73 victories. These included wins at Lincoln and Nottingham on Lilian for Mr Savile and, at Northampton, a great victory in the Stakes on the French-bred Messager for his old stable.
This did not slow his meteoric rise - in 1872, from 359 races, he claimed 73 victories. These included wins at Lincoln and Nottingham on Lilian for Mr Savile and, at Northampton, a great victory in the Stakes on the French-bred Messager for his old stable.
Other good victories included Ella in the Worcestershire Stakes for Captain Machell, and the Chichester Stakes which he won by a head on Chesnut.
Other good victories included Ella in the Worcestershire Stakes for Captain Machell, and the Chichester Stakes which he won by a head on Chesnut.
His next victory of note came at Newmarket when, riding Uhlan, beating George Fordham on Verdure by a head in the Cesarewitch Trial Handicap.
His next victory of note came at Newmarket when, riding Uhlan, beating George Fordham on Verdure by a head in the Cesarewitch Trial Handicap.
William, once his apprentice days were over, had left East Ilsley to find lodgings in Newmarket, a move that brought him many new patrons.
William, once his apprentice days were over, had left East Ilsley to find lodgings in Newmarket, a move that brought him many new patrons.
He won the Guy Cup at Warwick (Jock of Oran), the Blanknoy Stakes for John Nightingale (Gee Gaw), the Carholme Stakes for M. Lefevre ((Boquefort), the Spencer Plate at Northampton for Colonel Carleton (Colonel) and the Newmarket Handicap again for M. Lefevre (Houghton). He also won the Great Yorkshire Handicap on Pirate and the Handicap Sweepstakes on Thunder at Newmarket's July meeting, beating non other than Fred Archer in the process.
He won the Guy Cup at Warwick (Jock of Oran), the Blanknoy Stakes for John Nightingale (Gee Gaw), the Carholme Stakes for M. Lefevre ((Boquefort), the Spencer Plate at Northampton for Colonel Carleton (Colonel) and the Newmarket Handicap again for M. Lefevre (Houghton). He also won the Great Yorkshire Handicap on Pirate and the Handicap Sweepstakes on Thunder at Newmarket's July meeting, beating non other than Fred Archer in the process.
Then, suddenly, it was all over.
Then, suddenly, it was all over.
His downfall was his addiction to gambling which had began to interfere with his riding. He would sit in the most prominent part of the ring, openly betting in hundreds either on his own horses or other people's.
His downfall was his addiction to gambling which had began to interfere with his riding. He would sit in the most prominent part of the ring, openly betting in hundreds either on his own horses or other people's.
His was denied admission to the gaming tables of Monte Carlo on the ground that children were not admitted. The error was quickly rectified and, to the astonishment of the croupiers, he staked the house 'maximum' on several occasions, not altogether without success.
His was denied admission to the gaming tables of Monte Carlo on the ground that children were not admitted. The error was quickly rectified and, to the astonishment of the croupiers, he staked the house 'maximum' on several occasions, not altogether without success.
It was here that he entertained several members of the Jockey Club with the most princely of dinners, the company not breaking up until sunrise the following morning.
It was here that he entertained several members of the Jockey Club with the most princely of dinners, the company not breaking up until sunrise the following morning.
Newhouse, an excellent and entertaining host, was a quick-witted and shrewd observer: his powers of description were both graphic and humorous. There was enough fun about him combined with a hard hitting repartee to have made a fortune as a comic on stage.
Newhouse, an excellent and entertaining host, was a quick-witted and shrewd observer: his powers of description were both graphic and humorous. There was enough fun about him combined with a hard hitting repartee to have made a fortune as a comic on stage.
But he was in the grip of his addiction. Completely ignoring his riding skills, he became one of the biggest backers of the day and at one point was worth many thousands of pounds.
But he was in the grip of his addiction. Completely ignoring his riding skills, he became one of the biggest backers of the day and at one point was worth many thousands of pounds.
His demise was inevitable. Wearing out his friends one by one, he gradually sunk into a life of loafing around Haymarket.
His demise was inevitable. Wearing out his friends one by one, he gradually sunk into a life of loafing around Haymarket.
He died a pauper in St Giles's Workhouse, London, on June 24, 1885
He died a pauper in St Giles's Workhouse, London, on June 24, 1885