FAMOUS RACING FAMILIES
Much has been written about the importance of bloodlines in horse racing and, whilst it is acknowledged that the bloodlines of racehorses have been foremost in the thoughts of owners and breeders, those same owners gave very careful consideration to which trainers they chose to send their potential Classic winners to. Throughout history there have been prominent racing families like the Darlings, Jarvis's, Jennings, Rickaby's and Piggott's. Students of racing history will be most familiar with the exploits of the Dawson family; four brothers-Tom, Mat, Joseph and John, who trained the winners of 44 Classics between them, although it is less well known that two more brothers, George and James also trained. George was the oldest son of George senior's first marriage, and was therefore an older half-brother to the other five. George Dawson senior (1768-1845) trained at Gullane from where he launched the Dawson racing dynasty. On leaving their Scottish roots Tom, with George as his assistant, began training at Brecongill, near Middleham, in 1830. Their first Classic winner, 1842 Epsom Oaks winner Our Nell (SR 1844), was owned by George, named after sister Ellen, and ridden by brother-in-law Tommy Lye. The next generation of Dawsons to train included Tom's sons George L (1837-1895) and Thomas S (1840-1886). Tom's only son-in-law was his future successor Fred Bates, of Lambourn fame. John's sons included George P T (1856-1913), himself a trainer of Classic winners, and John A (1859-1942). John was also father-in-law to the great Fred Archer.

WATSON FAMILY (& CARTERS, CUNNINGTONS, JENNINGS, JOHNSON)
Another great racing dynasty, the Watson family, appears to have stayed beneath the radar, although John Fairfax-Blakeborough recognised the importance of the family when writing an extensive article about them in Volume 1 of his Northern Turf History. The head of the family, Francis Watson, was born in Scotland in 1783, and married Ann Nicholson, born 1781, in 1812 at Alnwick Registry Office. Francis was a lighthouse keeper on the Inner Farne lighthouse in the Inner Farne Islands. The couple had 5 children; James Watson (born 3rd July 1813), Robert F(possibly Francis)Watson (born 21st April 1815), Francis Watson (born in Rothbury in 1817, died on 29th December 1825), Nathaniel Bates David Watson (born in Rothbury in 26th March 1820) and Jacob Ralph Watson (born in Rothbury on 7th January 1822). Francis senior decided to switch jobs from being a lighthouse keeper, and bought a livery stable in Northumberland, between both Alnwick and Newcastle. This almost certainly influenced son James in his choice of career, for he became a trainer in Richmond. The second son, Robert Francis, born in North Sunderland, was a talented artist who earned a good reputation throughout Northumberland. He exhibited at the Royal Academy and is purported to have painted the only authentic picture of Grace Darling, born 24th November 1815, the daughter of William, a Longstone lighthouse keeper who worked with Francis, but on a different lighthouse. Grace became famous for helping to rescue survivors from the shipwrecked SS (Steam Ship) Forfarshire in 1838. Robert died on 30th December 1885 aged 72. The third son, Francis, was born in 1817 but died on 29th December 1825. The fourth son, Nathaniel Bates David was born in Rothbury, Northumberland, on 26th March 1820, worked as a Soda water manufacturer in Richmond, and died on 7th October 1884. The youngest child was Jacob Ralph who was born in Rothbury on 7th January 1822 and died on 23rd March 1883. What is just as incredible about this family is how they inter-married and interconnected with the other pioneering English families who relocated to France to lay the foundations of the French Flat racing industry. The first to go were the Carters, then the Cunningtons and Watsons, followed by the Jennings and Johnsons. Two Watson girls married Cunnington men, and, as detailed in this extensive article, their offsping married Carters, Jennings and Johnsons. Today one lady, Carolyn McCartney, can boast that her 4 great grandparents, on her mother's side, are a Watson, a Carter, a Cunnington and a Johnson.Whilst this article is about the interconnection between 4 particular racing families, it is fully appreciated that there were other families, notably the Bartholomews, Carvers, Counts, Pratts and Webbs who were also eminent trainers in the early years of French racing.
In 1787 the winner of the Epsom Oaks was Annette who was trained by John Watson at The Terrace, Newmarket. However, there is no evidence to indicate that this John Watson was, in any way, related to the Watson Racing Dynasty headed by Francis Watson and his wife Ann Nicholson.

JACOB RALPH WATSON (15th January 1822 to 23rd March 1883)
Jacob Ralph Watson, fifth and final child of Francis Watson and his wife Ann (nee Nicholson) was born in Newcastle on 15th January 1822 and married Matilda Wilson, who was born in June 1839. He trained at Richmond, although not as successfully as his oldest brother James. Jacob was a highly respected native of Newcastle, where he was born, and spent his early days, after completing compulsory education, at Thomas Dawson's stables at Brecongill, Middleham and at Robert Johnson's Tupgill stables in Middleham. He then kept his own livery stable in Newcastle, but suffered a serious injury at Gateshead. His next career move was to Richmond as assistant to brother James and, in 1861, he took 3 of James's horses, Wetsail, Adventurer and Joey Jones, to a Newcastle meeting when Joey Jones won the Northumberland Plate, the first two being ridden by Jem Snowden, while Doyle partnered Joey Jones. It was Jacob who escorted Adventurer to Doncaster, York and Epsom in 1863 where the horse won the Londesborough Plate, the Great Northern Handicap and Flying Dutchman Handicap, culminating in victory on Epsom Downs in the City and Suburban Handicap. Whilst Jacob was in Epsom, James remained behind at Belleisle preparing his two Derby candidates, Donnybrook and National Guard, although both subsequently ran down the field behind Macaroni (SR 2017). After this experience, the jockey Jim Snowden launched Jacob's career as a public trainer in Richmond, starting with horses like Man of Ross and Elfire, who served him well. Jacob trained Owton during his 3-year-old career, the horse later finishing third in the Northumberland Plate. Amongst his most memorable wins as a trainer were Sweet Violet, who won the Stockton Tradesmen's Handicap, Pilot who won the Cumberland Plate and Devonshire Plate, and Saratoga who landed the Zetland Plate at Richmond. Jacob trained horses for Mr Brown from Newcastle, including Mars and Jealousy, but also trained some for Jim Snowden, including Usurper, who was not high quality but did win a few Plates. As his career came to an end, he experienced health difficulties. He suffered a painful death on Friday 23rd March 1883 having experienced a series of misfortunes. On the previous evening a maidservant, Elizabeth Mills, had found Jacob at the bottom of the stairs and, along with his wife Matilda, she picked Jacob up and put him to bed, although he was complaining of a serious pain in his side. At 6 o'clock the next morning his face was badly swollen and he was unable to open his eyes, so Matilda called Jem Snowden to look at him and Snowden called the doctor. The patient was unable to speak clearly to the doctor, but did manage to infer that, some days previously he had slipped on the ice, and on closer examination it was found that he had fractured one of his ribs. On the final day of his life he still complained of a pain in his side, and had increasing difficulty in breathing, with both eyes blocked. There was a superficial cut on the right lower eyelid and on the bridge of his nose, but the most serious thing was that his fractured rib had penetrated his lungs. The deceased had suffered for some years with asthma and chronic bronchitis, but the immediate cause of his death was due to general emphysema and punctured lungs. He was buried in St Mary's churchyard, Richmond on Sunday 25th March 1883 in a ceremony conducted by Reverend A P F West. Amongst the chief mourners were Mrs Matilda Watson, his wife, his two sons Ernest Frank Watson and George Frederick Melville Watson, his brothers James Watson, Robert Watson and Nathaniel Watson, his nephew Frank Watson, and jockey Jim Snowden.
1870 Zetland Plate at Richmond won by SARATOGA (5/2 fav) owned by Mr Trotter junior, trained by Jacon Watson and ridden by Tom Chaloner
1872 Cumberland Plate at Carlisle won by PILOT (7/1) owned by Mr T Long, trained by Jacob Watson and ridden by Cook
1872 Devonshire Plate at Carlisle won by PILOT (7/4) owned by Mr T Long, trained by Jacob Watson and ridden by Cook
1874 Stockton Tradesmen's Handicap won by SWEET VIOLET (8/1) owned by Mr R T Walker, trained by Jacob Watson and ridden by Morgan
1882 Bainesse Handicap At Catterick Bridge USURPER (6/1) owned by Mr C Mytton, trained by Jacob Watson and ridden by Jem Snowden

ERNEST FRANK WATSON (May 1871 to 9th August 1927)
The 5th child of Francis Watson and Ann Nicholson was Jacob Ralph Watson who married Matilda Wilson. They had 2 children, the youngest being George Frederick Melville Watson, born on 12th October 1874. He was a lawyers clerk and then moved on to be a railway goods clerk living in Chorton, Lancashire. He died on 2nd September 1918 aged 53. However, the oldest child, Ernest Frank Watson, born in May 1871, must have enjoyed his childhood as the son of a racehorse trainer, for he began working as a stable boy for trainer William L'Anson at Highfield House, Norton, Malton, Yorkshire in 1891 aged 20. He was granted a jockeys licence under National Hunt Rule 94 each year between March 1896 and February 1899, and is purported to have ridden at least 3 races at Haydock Park. In both the 1901 and 1911 Census he lived at 60 Rockingham Street, St Mary, Newington which was a private house with its own stables. During the First World War, in 1915, he was a horse keeper for the Army Veterinary Corps at Woolwich, and in 1921 he was living at Battersea working as a horse breaker. By then he had married Elizabeth Alice Kershaw from Liverpool, and he died on 9th August 1927 aged 56.

During the later part of the War, in April 1944, Chantilly experienced daily bombings by RAF Lancaster bombers and on 8th July 1944 the family sought safety in the cellar shelter, but George collapsed on the stone steps and died from a massive heart attack. His funeral had to be delayed because of the constant and prolonged period of bombing, and when it finally was held it took 8 men to carry his coffin.
1877 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp SAINT CHRISTOPHE (33/1) owned by Count Frederic Lagrange, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by Hudson
1882 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly SAINT JAMES (25/1) owned by M Michel Ephrussi, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by Hopkins
1885 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at Longchamp BARBERINE (4/1) owned by M Michel Ephrussi, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by Carlyle
1885 Prix de Diane at Chantilly BARBERINE (5/6 fav) owned by M Michel Ephrussi, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by Carlyle
1886 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp GAMIN owned by M Michel Ephrussi, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by Alexander E Dodge
1886 Prix Royal Oak at Longchamp GAMIN (4/1) owned by M Michel Ephrussi, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by Alexander E Dodge
1887 Prix Noailles at Longchamp GOURNAY owned by M Michel Ephrussi, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by Dodge
1887 Prix de Diane at Chantilly BAVARDE (4/1) owned by M Michel Ephrussi, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by Alexander E Dodge
1887 Prix Royal Oak at Longchamp BAVARDE (4/1) owned by M Michel Ephrussi, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by Alexander E Dodge
1889 Prix Royal Oak at Longchamp POURTANT owned by M Michel Ephrussi, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by Tom Lane
1891 Prix Noailles at Longchamp PRIMROSE owned by M Michel Ephrussi, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by Alexander E Dodge

1894 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly GOSPODAR 16/1 owned by M Michel Ephrussi, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by Liddiard
1896 Prix de Diane at Chantilly LIANE (14/1) owned by M M de Gheest, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by Dodd
1909 Prix Royal Oak at Longchamp AVEU (198/10) owned by M Alexandre Aumont, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by Joe Childs
1909 Prix Noailles at Longchamp AVEU owned by M Alexandre Aumont, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by Joe Childs
1910 Prix Noailles at Longchamp ALOES III owned by M Alexandre Aumont, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by Joe Childs
1910 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp NUAGE (5/2) owned by Mme N G Cheremeteff, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by Joe Childs

1912 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp HOULI (30/1) owned by M A Fould, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by Fran Wootton
1913 Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud NIMBUS (Fr) owned by Alexandre Aumont, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by M Henry
1913 La Coupe d'Or at Maisons-Laffitte NIMBUS (Fr) owned by Alexandre Aumont, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by M Henry
1913 Prix du Conseil Municipal at Longchamp NIMBUS (Fr) (7/2) owned by Alexandre Aumont, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by M Henry
1914 Prix des Sablons at Longchamp NIMBUS (Fr) owned by Alexandre Aumont, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by M Henry
1914 Prix Biennal at Longchamp NIMBUS (Fr) owned by Alexandre Aumont, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by M Henry
1913 Prix Boiard at Saint-Cloud NIMBUS (Fr) owned by Alexandre Aumont, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by M Henry
1913 Prix du Cadran at Longchamp NIMBUS (Fr) owned by Alexandre Aumont, trained by George Cunnington snr and ridden by M Henry

JAMES COOPER WATSON (Chantilly) (11th October 1862 to 1st December 1929)
James Cooper Watson, first son and second child of trainer James Watson and his wife Jane, was born on 11th October 1862, his older sister, Elizabeth Anne being born 2 years before him on 20th July 1860. He would have appreciated his upbringing, relishing the opportunity to be involved in a successful racing stable in Richmond, but as his father's health deteriorated, he began to take charge at Belleisle, Richmond. Richmond boasted a proud history of racing at the town's racecourse, with racing first reported in 1512, but just before James Cooper Watson was born the importance of the Richmond Gold Cup waned, and by the time he was tasked with taking over his father's stables there was a serious decline in Richmond's racing. Once his father died in 1891 James Cooper Watson continued to train in Richmond for a couple of years, but jumped at the chance of relocating to Chantilly to take charge of horses owned by Baron Edouard de Rothschild, succeeding Frank Lynham. By then he had married Elizabeth Blades at Richmond Parish Church on 6th December 1893, and was accompanied to Chantilly by his widowed mother, Jane Watson (nee Cooper) who became his housekeeper, and by 4 of his sisters, two of whom, Mary Ann and Frances (Fanny), married members of the Cunnington family, George and Elijah, who were also involved in racing. Such was the high esteem in which James Cooper Watson was held in Richmond that the Marquis of Zetland organised a subscription list for interested parties to contribute towards a present for James. The Marquis headed up the list which subsequently raised 100 guineas, which was presented to James and wife Elizabeth at the King's Head Hotel, Richmond on 15th December 1893, just after the happy couple had returned from their honeymoon. James Cooper Watson was truly in his element in Chantilly, for Baron de Rothschild not only owned racing stables at the Chantilly hippodrome racecourse, but also owned the famous family stud of Haras de Meautry at Deauville. James was able to prepare the horses which raced in the famous Rothschild colours of blue silk and yellow cap, described in French racecards as 'La casaque bleue, et toque jaune'. James was later ably supported by his younger brother Francis (Frank) in Chantilly, but that was after James had prepared Le Roi Soleil to win the 1898 Grand Prix de Paris for Baron Alphonse de Rothschild by a length from favourite Gardefeu and Cazarat, and that sire's offspring, Sans Souci II, to win the 1907 Grand Prix de Paris on Sunday 16th June 1907 from Mordaunt and Ping Pong, the race being witnessed by President Fallieres and the King and Queen of Denmark. James Cooper Watson also famously won the 1911 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, the French Derby worth 4000 sovereigns, with Alcantara II owned by Baron de Rothschild, defeating Cornbourg and Cavallo by a comfortable 6 lengths. James retired in 1925 and died in Chantilly on 1st December 1929 aged 67.
1898 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp LE ROI SOLEIL (5/1) owned by Baron Alphonse de Rothschild, trained by James Cooper Watson and ridden by Willie Pratt
1907 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp SANS SOUCI II (evens fav) owned by Baron Edouard de Rothschild, trained by James Cooper Watson and ridden by Milton Henry
1911 Prix du Jockey Club ALCANTARA II (37/10) owned by Baron de Rothschild, trained by James Cooper Watson and ridden by Milton Henry
1922 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp MONT BLANC owned by Baron Edouard de Rothschild, trained by James Cooper Watson and ridden by Matthew MacGee

THOMAS TEBBUTT CUNNINGTON (1843-1923) Classic wins
Another of the Cunnington clan to do very well was George Cunnington seniors older brother, Thomas Tebbutt Cunnington, who married Marie Laporte, and won 4 of the 5 French Classics, missing out on the Prix de Diane. Thomas and his wife Marie tragically died on 13th December 1923 as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.
1880 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp LE DESTRIER (12/1) owned by M A Staub, trained by Thomas Cunnington and ridden by Flint
1883 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at Longchamp STOCKHOLM (3/1) owned by M A Staub, trained by Thomas Cunnington and ridden by Wycherley
1883 Prix du Royal Oak at Longchamp STOCKHOLM owned by M A Staub, trained by Thomas Cunnington and ridden by Wycherley
1888 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly STUART (7/4 fav) owned by M P Donon, trained by Thomas Cunnington and ridden by Tom Lane
1890 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp WANDORA (7/4) owned by Baron Arthur de Schickler, trained by Thomas Cunnington and ridden by E Cooke
1893 Prix du Royal Oak at Longchamp RAMLEH (10/1) owned by M Achilles Fould, trained by Thomas Cunnington and ridden by Henry Barlen
1896 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at Longchamp RIPOSTE (11/2) owned by M Caillault, trained by Thomas Cunnington and ridden by Alexander E Dodge
1897 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at Longchamp ROXELANE (6/4 jt fav) owned by M Caillault, trained by Thomas Cunnington and ridden by Tom Lane

Richard Carter, born in 1800, married Sarah Stent (born 1796) and they were blessed with 3 children, Thomas Richard Carter, born in 1830, Mary Ann Carter, born in 1832, who married the racehorse trainer Tom Jennings snr and was therefore the mother of Tom Jennings jnr, and Richard Carter senior, born in 1840. Richard trained horses in Sablons (Neuilly/Seine) and Glatigny, Buc for Lord Seymour from about 1834 until 1841. Lord Henry Seymour owned a stud at Glatigny, near to Viroflay/Buc. Lord Seymour then relocated his stables from Les Sablons to the edge of the Bois de Boulogne with the idea of developing a racecourse in Versailles, although the racecourse was actually created at Chantilly. After Lord Seymour moved, Richard transferred his training skills to Belgium in 1842 where he trained for the Duc de Litta for a decade, after which he returned to France, in particular Chantilly and Compiegne. During his time in Belgium his son, Richard, who was born at Buc, near Versailles, in 1840 but went to school in Belgium where he met his future wife Marie Rose Leclerc.

THOMAS CARTER (17th February 1805-25th September 1879)
The famous racing family, the Carters, who originated from Peckleton, Leicestershire, located close to the site of the Battle of Bosworth Field, first went across to France in the early 1830s to set up racing stables for Lord Henry Seymour, and are widely regarded as being responsible for establishing flat racing in France. The founding members of the Carter family, William Carter, born 1769, and his wife Ann, born 1773, had 14 children, with their fifth son being Thomas Carter, being born on 17th February 1805. It was Thomas who was invited to Chantilly in 1831 by Lord Henry Seymour, and he earnt the nicknames 'Genius' and 'Father of the French Turf'. Thomas had cut his teeth as an apprentice in Newmarket to Reverend Henry Fitzroy, who trained for Lord Henry Fitzroy, a half-brother to the 4th Duke of Grafton, George Henry Fitzroy. When the 3rd Duke of Grafton died on 14th March 1811, the 4th Duke inherited Wroughton House Stables and Cadland House and Stables in Newmarket, and continued to employ the same trainer as his father, Robert Robson. The pair enjoyed much success, including 18 English Classics between 1813 and 1827, with further successes following after that date. It is believed that Thomas Carter learnt his trade from Robert Robson, and may even have taken over training duties from Robson at one of the stables. It is likely that the 4th Duke sold Wroughton House and Cadland House and Stables on, or before, 1828 to the 5th Duke of Rutland, John Henry Manners, because in that year the Duke of Rutland won the 2000 Guineas and Derby, albeit after a run-off, with his horse Cadland, and subsequently named the stables in honour of that horse. It was after this sale that Thomas Carter, who had made a name for himself by then, was invited to Chantilly. Thomas enjoyed almost immediate success, winning the first three renewals of the Prix Du Jockey Club, the French Derby, firstly in 1836 with Franck, followed a year later with Lydia, and again in 1838 with Vendredi. In May 1841 Thomas Carter, then the owner of Vendredi, ran the horse in the famous Prix Special de 5000 Francs at Chantilly on the course under the patronage of HH Duc D'Orleans in his Royal Park. Venredi, ridden by Edward Flatman, won the first heat from Quine, with the Count de Cambis' Roquencourt in fourth. However, in two subsequent heats it was Roquencourt who prevailed to take the massive prize, with Vendredi having to settle for second place. What was also very interesting was that, part of the terms of the race, the winning owner had to pay '4 Napoleons' to the race fund for the next year's race.
Prix Special de 5000 Francs over 4000 metres
Friday 14th May 1841 at Chantilly
1. ROQUENCOURT, owned by Count de Cambis and ridden by C Edwards 4 1 1
2. VENDREDI, owned and trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by Edward Flatman 1 3 0
3. OAKSTICK, owned by Lord Henry Seymour, trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by W Boyce 3 2 2
4. QUINE, owned by Count de Seran and ridden by Moss 2 4 0

1844 Prix Gladiateur DRUMMER owned by Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild, trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by Edward Flatman
1845 Prix Du Cadran EDWIN owned by Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild, trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by Edward Flatman
1846 Prix du Jockey Club MEUDON (10/1) owned by Baron Nathan de Rothschild, trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by Edward Flatman
1846 Prix Daru FLEET owned by Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild, trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by Edward Flatman
1847 Prix Daru GLANDS owned by Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild, trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by Edward Flatman
1849 Poule D'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) EXPERIENCE owned and trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by Thomas Carter Neveu
1849 Prix Du Cadran NANETTA owned and trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by Thomas Carter Neveu
1849 Prix du Jockey Club EXPERIENCE owned by Thomas Carter, trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by Thomas Carter Neveu
1849 Prix Gladiateur DULCAMARA owned and trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by Thomas Carter Neveu
1851 Prix Daru ILLUSTRATION owned and trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by Thomas Carter Neveu
1852 Poule D'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) BOUNTY owned and trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by Thomas Carter Neveu
1852 Prix de Diane BOUNTY owned and trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by Edward Flatman
1853 Grand Criterium CELEBRITY owned by Jacques Reiset, trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by James William Bartholomew
1854 Prix du Jockey Club CELEBRITY (15/1) owned by Jacques Reiset, trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by James William Bartholomew
1854 Prix de Diane HONESTY (20/1) owned and trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by Zaccharie Caillotin
1855 Prix Du Cadran RENUMERATOR owned by Jacques Reiset, trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by James William Bartholomew
1859 Poule D'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) BAKALOUM (10/1) owned by M Mosselman, trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by A Watkins
1861 Prix De La Foret BRAVOURE owned by Jacques Reiset, trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by H Pantall
1867 Prix Lupin TROCADERO owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by Hibberd
1876 Prix du Jockey Club KILT (2/1 fav) owned by Baron Alphonse de Rothschild, trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by Tom Cannon
1876 Prix du Royal Oak (French St Leger) KILT owned by Baron Alphonse de Rothschild, trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by F Storr
1878 Prix de Diane BRIE (4/6 fav) owned by Baron Alphonse de Rothschild, trained by Thomas Carter and ridden by G Mills

HENRY 'HAT' JENNINGS (1819-1893) married ANN CARTER (1813-1887)

1865 Poule D'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) GONTRAN (5/4 fav) owned by Major Fridolin, trained by Henry Jennings and ridden by Charles Pratt
1872 Poule D'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) REVIGNY owned by Paul Aumont, trained by Henry Jennings and ridden by Alfred Carratt
1872 Prix du Jockey Club REVIGNY (4/5 fav) owned by Paul Aumont, trained by Henry Jennings and ridden by Alfred Carratt
1874 Prix de Diane DESTINEE (5/1) owned by Paul Aumont, trained by Henry Jennings and ridden by Alfred Carratt
1875 Prix de Diane TYROLIENNE (8/1) owned by M Delatre, trained by Henry Jennings and ridden by Alfred Carratt
1877 Prix du Jockey Club JONGLEUR (1/3 fav) owned by Count Gustave de Juigne, trained by Henry Jennings and ridden by Alfred Carratt
1877 Prix du Royal Oak (French St Leger) JONGLEUR owned by Count Gustave de Juigne, trained by Henry Jennings and ridden by Edgar Rolfe

TOM JENNINGS senior (1823-1900) married MARY ANN CARTER (1832-1919)

He then returned to France as private trainer to Count Frederic de Lagrange where he won almost every French Classic multiple times. He launched his illustrious UK training career in 1857 at Phantom House, Newmarket, as private trainer to Comte Frederic de Lagrange and, early in his career, he achieved his greatest success with Gladiateur (SR 2112) in 1865, winning the Triple Crown. Gladiateur, a bay colt by Monarque out of Miss Gladiator, was born at the Haras de Dangu Stud in 1862 and owned by Count Frederic de Lagrange. Sent to England to be trained by Tom Jennings, he did not begin his two-year-old career until Autumn 1864, winning just one of his three races. However, he made rapid progress at 3, winning the 2000 Guineas by a neck from Archimedes, landing the Epsom Derby more comfortably by 2 lengths from Christmas Carol, before completing the Triple Crown by capturing the St Leger by 3 lengths when 8/13 favourite. After his success in the Derby, Gladiateur was sent to Paris to contest the Grand Prix du Paris, and when he won it, cheered on by an emotional French crowd, he was dubbed 'The Avenger of Waterloo'. His owner, Count Frederic de Lagrange was a French politician whose father, Joseph, was Napoleons general. Such was the high esteem in which Tom Jennings held the Count that he named his UK Stables in Newmarket La Grange after him. Tom had a distinguished training career, and died in Newmarket on 12th December 1900 aged 76.

1851 Prix de Diane HERVINE (1/2 fav) owned by Alexandre Aumont, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Spreoty
1852 Prix du Jockey Club PORTHOS (4/1) owned by Alexandre Aumont, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Tom Webb
1855 Poule D'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) MONARQUE (4/1) owned by M Aumont, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Spreoty
1855 Prix du Jockey Club MONARQUE (2/1 jt fav) owned by Alexandre Aumont, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Spreoty
1856 Poule D'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) NAT (5/2 fav) owned by M Aumont, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Spreoty
1856 Prix de Diane DAME D’HONNEUR (3/1) owned by Alexandre Aumont, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Spreoty

1857 Prix de Diane MADEMOISELLE DE CHANTILLY (7/2) owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Spreoty
1858 Prix de Diane HETOILE DU NORD (3/1) owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Spreoty
1858 Prix du Jockey Club VENTRE SAINT GRIS (12/1) owned by Count Frederic de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Kendall
1859 Prix du Jockey Club BLACK PRINCE (8/1) owned by Count Frederic de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Quinton
1861 Prix de Diane FINLANDE (2/1 fav) owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Charles Pratt
1861 Prix du Jockey Club GABRIELLE DESTREES (3/1) owned by Count Frederic de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by George Fordham

1861 Prix du Royal Oak (French St Leger) PALESTRO owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by A Watkins
1862 Poule D'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) STRADELLA (2/5 fav) owned by Count Frederick de Langrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Charles Pratt
1864 Prix de Diane FILLE DE L'AIR (4/7 fav) owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Charles Pratt
1864 Prix du Royal Oak (French St Leger) FILLE DE L'AIR (6/4) owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Charles Pratt

1865 Prix du Royal Oak (French St Leger) GLADIATEUR (1/10 fav) owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Harry Grimshaw
1866 Derby Trial Stakes GLADIATEUR owned by Count Frederic de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings senior and ridden by Harry Grimshaw
1866 Claret Stakes GLADIATEUR owned by Count Frederic de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings senior and ridden by Harry Grimshaw
1866 Poule D'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) PUEBLA (6/4 fav) owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Harry Grimshaw
1866 Grand Prix de l'imperatrice, Grand Prix de l'Empereur and La Coupe GLADIATEUR
1866 Ascot Gold Cup GLADIATEUR 2/5 fav owned by Count Frederic de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings senior and ridden by Harry Grimshaw 3 ran

1868 Prix de Diane JENNY (2/1 fav) owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by J Grimshaw
1868 Prix du Royal Oak (French St Leger) NELUSCO (2/1) owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Hunter
1869 Poule D'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) CONSUL (9/4 fav) owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by G Mizen
1869 Prix du Jockey Club CONSUL (5/2) owned by Count Frederic de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by G Mizen
1871 Ascot Gold Cup MORTEMER owned by Claude Joachim Lefevre, trained by Tom Jennings and ridden by George Fordham
1872 1000 Guineas REINE 100/6 (SR 1919) owned by Claude Joachim Lefevre, trained by Tom Jennings and ridden by Henry Parry
1872 Epsom Oaks REINE 5/2 fav (SR 1919) owned by Claude Joachim Lefevre, trained by Tom Jennings and ridden by George Fordham
1872 Ascot Gold Cup HENRY owned by Claude Joachim Lefevre, trained by Tom Jennings and ridden by George Fordham
1874 Poule D'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) NOVATEUR (5/4 fav) owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by George Fordham
1878 Poule D'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) CLEMENTINE (Evens fav) owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Jem Goater
1878 Prix du Jockey Club INSULAIRE (4/7 fav) owned by Count Frederic de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Jem Goater
1878 Prix du Royal Oak (French St Leger) INVAL owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Alfred Carratt
1879 Poule D'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) ZUT (8/1) owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Alexander E Dodge
1879 Prix du Jockey Club ZUT (6/4 fav) owned by Count Frederic de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Jem Goater
1879 Prix du Royal Oak (French St Leger) ZUT (5/2) owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Tom Jennings snr and ridden by Jem Goater
1864 Prix du Jockey Club BOIS ROUSSEL (2/1 fav) owned by Henri Delamarre, trained by Thomas Richard Carter and ridden by Flatman
1866 Prix de Diane VICTORIEUSE (5/1) owned by Henri Delamarre, trained by Thomas Richard Carter and ridden by G Pratt

THOMAS RICHARD CARTER (1830-1905) oldest son of RICHARD CARTER and brother of RICHARD CARTER senior

1866 Prix de Diane VICTORIEUSE (5/1) owned by Henri Delamarre, trained by Thomas Richard Carter and ridden by Charles Pratt
1866 Prix Hocquart VICTORIEUSE owned by Henri Delamarre, trained by Thomas Richard Carter and ridden by Arthur Watkins
1866 Prix Kergorlay VERTUGADIN owned by Henri Delamarre, trained by Thomas Richard Carter and ridden by Arthur Watkins
1866 Prix du Jockey Club FLORENTIN (5/1) owned by Henri Delamarre, trained by Thomas Richard Carter and ridden by Charles Pratt
1867 Poule D'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) NICOLET (8/1) owned by Henri Delamarre, trained by Thomas Richard Carter and ridden by Musgrove
1867 Prix Gladiateur VERTUGADIN owned by Henri Delamarre, trained by Thomas Richard Carter and ridden by Charles Pratt
1867 Prix Hocquart PATRICIEN owned by Henri Delamarre, trained by Thomas Richard Carter and ridden by Musgrove
1867 Prix du Jockey Club PATRICIEN (5/1) owned by Henri Delamarre, trained by Thomas Richard Carter and ridden by Arthur Watkins
1867 Prix du Royal Oak (French St Leger) PATRICIEN (8/11 fav) owned by Henri Delamarre, trained by Thomas Richard Carter and ridden by Charles Pratt
1868 Prix De La Foret CLOTHO owned by Henri Delamarre, trained by Thomas Richard Carter and ridden by Willburn
1869 Prix Kergorlay CLOTHO owned by Henri Delamarre, trained by Thomas Richard Carter and ridden by Charles Pratt
1869 Prix du Royal Oak (French St Leger) CLOTHO (1/2 fav)) owned by Henri Delamarre, trained by Thomas Richard Carter and ridden by Charles Pratt

THOMAS CARTER 'NEVEU' (1830-1891) son of JONATHAN CARTER (1801-1881) and nephew of THOMAS CARTER

1885 Prix Kergorlay VICO owned by Duc de Castries, trained by Thomas Carter Neveu and ridden by J Tom Lane
1886 Prix Du Cadran LAPIN owned by Duc De Castries, trained by Thomas Carter Neveu and ridden by Tom Lane
1886 Prix Jean Prat (4-y-o) LAPIN owned by Duc De Castries, trained by Thomas Carter Neveu and ridden by Tom Lane
1886 Prix Daru JUPIN owned by Baron G de Soubeyran, trained by Thomas Carter Neveu and ridden by Tom Lane
1887 Prix Jean Prat (3-y-o) CHERIE owned by Baron G de Soubeyran, trained by Thomas Carter Neveu and ridden by Tom Lane
1888 Grand Criterium MAY POLE owned by Baron G de Soubeyran, trained by Thomas Carter Neveu and ridden by Edward Henry Bridgland
1888 Prix Hocquart SAINT GALL owned by Baron G de Soubeyran, trained by Thomas Carter Neveu and ridden by John Madge
1888 Prix Jean Prat (3-y-o) SAINT GALL owned by Baron G de Soubeyran, trained by Thomas Carter Neveu and ridden by Edward Henry Bridgland
1889 Prix D'Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) MAY POLE (7/4) owned by Baron Soubeyran, trained by Thomas Carter Neveu and ridden by Edward Henry Bridgland

Elijah Carter, born 1830, was the son of John Carter (born 1796) and grandson of William Carter (born 1769) and his wife Ann Colver (born 1773). Elijah first married Emily Kezia Jennings and they had two children, Willy who was born in 1856, and Adelaide who was born in 1859. Unfortunately, Emily, his first wife, died in 1864, but a short while afterwards Elijah married her sister Adelaide (born 1831). Adelaide was already part of the racing fraternity as she was sister to Tom Jennings and auntie to Catherine Kate Jennings, the daughter of Tom Jennings and his wife Mary Ann Carter. Catherine later married Willy Carter. Elijah was a successful trainer, winning the Prix Du Jockey Club in 1843 with Renonce for owner Celestin de Pontalba. Just 2 years later he won the Poule D'Essai, the French Guineas, with Philip Shah for the same owner, and followed up that success with victory the next year, 1847, with Tronquette also in the same ownership.
1843 Prix Du Jockey Club (French Derby) RENONCE owned by Celestin de Pontalba, trained by Elijah Carter and ridden by Ellam
1846 Poule D’Essai (French Guineas) PHILIP SHAH owned by Celestin de Pontalba, trained by Elijah Carter and ridden by Hall
1847 Poule D’Essai (French Guineas) TRONQUETTE owned by Celestin de Pontalba, trained by Elijah Carter and ridden by Buckle

RICHARD CARTER senior (1840-1923) son of RICHARD CARTER and nephew of THOMAS CARTER

Richard Carter snr, son of Richard Carter and his wife Sarah Carter (nee Stent) was born in Buc, Versailles in 1840 but then moved, with his family, to Belgium in 1842, spending his early school years in Belgium where he met his future wife, Marie Rose Leclerc. He trained at Royallieu for Maurice Ephrussi, brother-in-law to Baron Edouard de Rothschild, training also for M Hawes and the diminutive sugar magnate Henri Say. His principal winners were Codoman, Mordant, which won the Prix du Jockey Club, Chulot, Tricolor and L'Epe. When Tricolor won his most significant race, a huge tricolor ring, made up of 3 large stones, ruby, diamond and sapphire, was presented as a gift to the trainer's wife. Apart from his Classic winners, Richard's lasting legacy is that he designed Compiegne Racecourse in 1875 after he realized it would become viable with the installation of the train line from Paris.

1879 Prix de Diane NUBIENNE (6/4 fav) owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Richard Carter senior and ridden by Wheeler
1880 Prix de Diane VERSIGNY (6/4 fav) owned by Chamant Stud, trained by Richard Carter senior and ridden by George Fordham
1881 Prix Daru ALBION owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Richard Carter snr and ridden by Arthur-Edward Dodge
1881 Prix Du Jockey Club ALBION owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Richard Carter snr and ridden by Jem Goater
1882 Prix Du Jockey Club DANDIN owned by Count Frederick de Lagrange, trained by Richard Carter snr and ridden by Jem Goater
1888 Prix de Diane SOLANGE (20/1) owned by M Jean Joubert, trained by Richard Carter senior and ridden by Arthur-Edward Dodge
1889 Prix Noailles ACHILLE owned by Duc de Feltre, trained by Richard Carter snr and ridden by C Webb
1891 Prix du Royal Oak (French St Leger) BERENGER (2/1) owned by Henri Say, trained by Richard Carter snr and ridden by John Horan
1891 Prix Morny RANES owned by Henry Say, trained by Richard Carter snr and ridden by J Maiden
1892 Prix de Diane ANNITA (16/1) owned by Henri Say, trained by Richard Carter senior and ridden by Fred Storr
1892 Prix Noailles SAINT MICHEL owned by Henry Say, trained by Richard Carter snr and ridden by Fred Storr

THOMAS CARTER (1842-1919) son of THOMAS CARTER and ELIZA HOLLAND (1814-1892)

Thomas Carter, son of Thomas Carter (1805-1879) and his wife Eliza Hindley Holland, was born in 1842 and was destined to carve out a training career. Although he trained a good number of Group winning steeplechasers, including Le Torpilleur, Saint Claude and Calabrais, he will be remembered for two particular victories. He guided La Moriniere to success in the 1900 Prix Du Jockey Club for owner Baron Rogers. However, in spite of that prestigious win, he is often referred to as Thomas Plaisanterie Carter for his success with Plaisanterie. He bought the horse for just 825 French Francs and decided to keep a half-share for himself, selling the other half to Henri Bouy. As a three-year-old the horse won 14 of his 15 races. Without doubt, the greatest achievement of the horse was winning both the Cambridgeshire over 1800 metres, and the Cesarewitch over 3600 metres, both at Newmarket and both within a fortnight of each other. Thomas won a fortune backing his horse to do the double, which had been done only twice before, by Rosebery and Foxhall. Although the starting prices for the two handicaps were 7/1 and 10/1, giving a double of 87/1, Thomas had secured much bigger odds. After a long career, Thomas Carter's death was announced on Wednesday 13th February 1918 aged 77.

1885 Prix d'Octobre PLAISANTERIE owned by H Buoy & Thomas Carter jnr, trained by Thomas Carter jnr and ridden by F Hartley
1885 Prix du Prince d'Orange PLAISANTERIE owned by H Buoy & Thomas Carter jnr, trained by Thomas Carter jnr and ridden by F Hartley
1885 Cesarewitch at Newmarket PLAISANTERIE (7/1) owned by H Buoy & Thomas Carter jnr, trained by Thomas Carter jnr and ridden by F Hartley
1885 Cambridgeshire at Newmarket PLAISANTERIE (10/1) owned by H Buoy & Thomas Carter jnr, trained by Thomas Carter jnr and ridden by F Hartley
1888 Prix Congress Steeplechase LE TORPILLEUR owned by Georges Ledat, trained by Thomas Carter jnr and ridden by Hubert Mousset
1889 Prix Des Drags Steeplechase L'ETOURDI owned by Georges Ledat, trained by Thomas Carter jnr and ridden by Hubert Mousset
1889 Grand Steeplechase De Paris LE TORPILLEUR owned by Georges Ledat, trained by Thomas Carter jnr and ridden by Hubert Mousset
1889 Prix Congress Steeplechase SAINT CLAUDE owned by Georges Ledat, trained by Thomas Carter jnr and ridden by Hubert Mousset
1890 Grande Course De Haies D'Auteuil SAINT CLAUDE owned by Georges Ledat, trained by Thomas Carter jnr and ridden by Joseph Barker
1892 Prix Des Drags Steeplechase PADMANA owned by Baron Roger, trained by Thomas Carter jnr and ridden by Edouard Watkins
1900 Prix du Jockey Club LA MORINIERE (7/1) owned by Baron Rogers, trained by Thomas Carter jnr and ridden by Brennan
1901 Grand Steeplechase De Paris CALABRAIS owned by Baron Rogers, trained by Thomas Carter jnr and ridden by Harry Gildon

Tom Jennings junior, son of Tom Jennings senior and his wife Mary Ann Jennings (nee Carter) was born in 1856 during the time his parents spent training in Chantilly, and liked nothing better than spending his school summer holidays riding out, earning him the nickname 'jockey Jennings'. He had his first ride in public in July 1870, going on to ride his first winner, Minotaur owned by Claude Lefevre, although increased weight brought to an end his flat racing career. However, he redirected his talent to chasers and hurdlers, winning the principal hurdle race at Auteuil on Paul's Cray despite the grandstand catching fire whilst the race was in progress. By 1874 he was training at Phantom House, replacing his father who had moved to La Grange. In 1875 the principal jockey at Phantom House was J Major (7st 10lbs). Tom was extremely successful as a trainer, training 4 English Classic winners, including the 1897 and 1912 Epsom Oaks winners Limasol (SR 1917) and Mirska (SR 1927) respectively. His first Classic winner was Hauteur (SR 1876) in the 1883 1000 Guineas, while in 1900 he trained Winifreda (SR 1797) to victory in the 1000 Guineas. In July 1906 the Sporting Life listed all of the Newmarket Stables together with their respective trainers. Tom Jennings junior was listed at Phantom House. He was a very well-respected trainer in Newmarket, earning him the nickname 'Old Waterworks' easily succumbing to tears by the passion he showed for his horses. His pet saying was, 'Take off those boots and bandages, and give nature a chance; you will have less horses break down'. Like all trainers in large, high-profile stables, he had his ups and downs. At the 1882 Royal Ascot meeting he sent just 5 horses, but came away with 6 victories, his stable star Tristan winning three times. Indeed, Tristan landed 3 consecutive Hardwicke Stakes from 1882 to 1884, and 3 consecutive Champion Stakes from 1882 to 1884, although amazingly in the 1882 running he dead-heated with Thebais, and in the 1884 running he dead-heated with Lucerne. On the flip side of the coin, a particular low was a meeting at Doncaster where Tom sent 14 runners and expected all of them to win. The first was beaten a head in the hands of George Fordham, the second was also beaten a head, the third by a neck, and at the end of the meeting none of the 14 runners had been successful. One of his last successes was with Catmint in the 1913 Goodwood Cup, and Tom left Phantom House in 1918, spending his retirement in Torquay, but died on 6th September 1932 aged 80.
1882 Hardwicke Stakes TRISTAN 8/13 fav owned by Claude Lefevre, trained by Tom Jennings junior and ridden by George Fordham
1882 Ascot High-weight Plate ISABEL 6/1 owned by Leopold de Rothschild, trained by Tom Jennings junior and ridden by George Fordham
1882 Ascot Gold Vase TRISTAN 30/100 fav owned by Claude Lefevre, trained by Tom Jennings junior and ridden by George Fordham
1882 Ascot Trial Stakes VALENTINO (evens fav) owned by Leopold de Rothschild, trained by Tom Jennings junior and ridden by George Fordham
1882 Ascot Nineteenth New Biennial Stakes TRISTAN 30/100 fav owned by Claude Lefevre, trained by Tom Jennings junior and ridden by George Fordham
1882 Ascot Visitors Plate PILGRIM 6/5 fav owned by Leopold de Rothschild, trained by Tom Jennings junior and ridden by George Fordham

FRED CARTER (1856-1893) son of THOMAS RICHARD CARTER & ELIZA BAYNES

Fred Carter, eldest son of trainer Thomas Richard Carter and his wife Eliza Baynes, was born in 1856 and was the brother of Richard and Arthur Carter, both of whom were successful trainers. Fred trained predominantly for Alexandre and Paul Aumont at his stables where later the Hotel Conde was located. Fred had two sons with Caroline Cotton Planner, Frank, who trained at Clos du Roi between 1911 and 1912 before moving to Mill Cottage, and Alec, who was an excellent jockey, but unfortunately died in the early part of the First World War in 1914. Fred won the Prix De Diane 4 times, firstly in 1881 with Serpolette owned by Maurice Ephrussi, again in 1882 with Mademoiselle De Senlis for the same owner, Fregate in 1884 for M Leon Andre, and for a final time in 1893 with Praline for loyal owner Paul Aumont. However, his most high-profile win was with Monarque II in the 1887 Prix Du Jockey Club. Fred died in 1893 aged just 37 and his son Alec, just 5 at the time, was raised by his father-in law William Planner.
1881 Prix de Diane SERPOLETTE (10/1) owned by Maurice Ephrussi, trained by Fred Carter and ridden by T Carlyle
1881 Prix Hocquart SERPOLETTE owned by Maurice Ephrussi, trained by Fred Carter and ridden by T Carlyle

RICHARD CARTER junior (1859-1913) second son of THOMAS RICHARD CARTER & ELIZA BAYNES

1899 Poule D'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) PERTH (6/4) owned by Maurice Caillault, trained by Richard Carter jnr and ridden by Tom Lane
1899 Prix Hocquart PERTH owned by Maurice Caillault and Paul de Pourtales, trained by Richard Carter jnr and ridden by Tom Lane
1899 Prix du Jockey Club PERTH (3/1) owned by M Caillault, trained by Richard Carter junior and ridden by Tom Lane
1899 Prix du Royal Oak (French St Leger) PERTH owned by Maurice Caillault, trained by Richard Carter jnr and ridden by Tom Lane
1899 Prix Daru PERTH owned by Maurice Caillault and Paul de Pourtales, trained by Richard Carter jnr and ridden by Tom Lane
1899 Grand Prix De Paris PERTH owned by Maurice Caillault and Paul de Pourtales, trained by Richard Carter jnr and ridden by Tom Lane
1899 Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe PERTH owned by M Caillault, trained by Richard Carter junior and ridden by Tom Lane
1900 Prix Du Cadran PERTH owned by Maurice Caillault, trained by Richard Carter junior and ridden by Tom Lane
1901 Poule D'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) CHERI (6/4 fav) owned by Maurice Caillault, trained by Richard Carter jnr and ridden by Edouard Watkins
1901 Grand Prix De Paris CHERI (6/4 fav) owned by Maurice Caillault, trained by Richard Carter jnr and ridden by Ben-John Rigby
1901 Prix Noailles TIBERE owned by Maurice Caillault, trained by Richard Carter jnr and ridden by Edouard Watkins
1902 Prix De La Foret MIREILLE owned by M Caillault, trained by Richard Carter junior and ridden by John Thompson

Perth, winner of the 1899 French Triple Crown and Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe

Willy Carter, son of Elijah Carter and Emily Kezia Carter, was born in Italy in 1856 and was the sister of Adelaide Carter (born 1859). His father remarried Adelaide Jennings, Emily's sister, after Emily died in 1864. Willy married into the Jennings racing family when marrying Catherine Jennings, who was born in 1853, and the couple emigrated to India where he became a highly decorated trainer and earned a fortune. He was known as Willy Carter Bombay, and he and Catherine had two daughters while in India, Adelaide (1896-1971) who was christened Marguerite Adelaide, and Catherine (1892-1965), better known as Cathy. Willy later moved to Newmarket and lost his huge fortune with some bad business deals.

1914 Poule D'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) LISTMAN (183/10) owned by M L Olry-Roederer, trained by Willy Carter and ridden by Maurice Barat
1914 Prix de Diane ALERTE VI (131/10) owned by M L Olry-Roederer, trained by Willy Carter and ridden by Maurice Barat
1929 Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe ORTELLO owned by G Del Montel, trained by Willy Carter and ridden by P Caprioli

Willy Carter, son of excellent trainer Thomas Carter Neveu, was born in 1862 and probably named after Thomas Carter Neveu's brother William, born in 1828, son of Jonathan Carter and Anne Benbow. While he initially trained in Italy, he returned to Chantilly in 1891 to work for M Wysocki and M D'Espous de Paul and became a highly successful, Classic winning trainer. In his first year back in France he won the Prix Congress Steeplechase with Jamais and the valuable Prix Jean Prat (3-y-o) with Goguenard II. He won the Prix De Diane, the French Oaks, twice, firstly in 1899 with Germaine, which he also owned, and again in 1914 with Alertve VI for loyal owner Leon Olry-Roederer. One of the crowning moments of his training career was in 1910 when the Gaston Dreyfus owned Or Du Rhin II won the Prix Du Jockey Club. He later also won the French 2000 Guineas in 1914 with Listman who had, the year before, won the Criterium De Maisons-Laffitte. In 1929 the Italian racehorse Ortello won the prestigious Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe when owned by Guiseppe de Montel, trained by Willy Carter and ridden by Italian Paolo Caprioli. Willy died in 1956 aged 94.
1891 Prix Congress Steeplechase JAMAIS owned by L Wysocki, trained by Willy Carter snr and ridden by John Boon
1891 Prix Jean Prat (3-y-o) GOGUENARD II owned by Baron G de Soubeyran, trained by Willy Carter and ridden by Edward-Henry Bridgland
1898 Prix Jean Prat (3-y-o) MADRID owned by Paul Aumont, trained by Willy Carter snr and ridden by William Pratt
1899 Prix De Diane GERMAINE (33/1) owned and trained by Willy Carter and ridden by John Bright Cooke
1900 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte BUTOR owned by L Wysocki, trained by Willy Carter snr and ridden by Edouard Watkins
1901 Prix Greffulhe PASSARD owned by Cte de Ganay, trained by Willy Carter snr and ridden by Ernest Bowen
1908 Prix Jean Prat (4-y-o) ELYSEE owned by Leon Olry-Roederer, trained by Willy Carter snr and ridden by Joe Childs
1910 Prix Daru OR DU RHIN II owned by Gaston Dreyfus, trained by Willy Carter snr and ridden by Nash Turner
1910 Prix D'Ispahan GOLOSS owned by Leon Olry-Roederer, trained by Willy Carter snr and ridden by George Stern
1910 Prix Du Jockey Club OR DU RHIN II owned by Gaston Dreyfus, trained by Willy Carter and ridden by Percy Woodland
1911 Grande Course De Haies D'Auteuil CARPE DIEM owned by Leon Olry-Roederer, trained by Willy Carter snr and ridden by Pierre Thiebault
1912 Prix Jean Prat (4-y-o) JOYEUX V owned by Leon Olry-Roederer, trained by Willy Carter snr and ridden by Johnny Reiff
1913 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte LISTMAN owned by Leon Olry-Roederer, trained by Willy Carter snr and ridden by Maurice Barat
1914 Poule D'Essai Des Poulains LISTMAN owned by Leon Olry-Roederer, trained by Willy Carter snr and ridden by Maurice Barat
1914 Prix De Diane ALERTVE VI (131/10) owned by Leon Olry-Roederer, trained by Willy Carter and ridden by Maurice Barat
1929 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe ORTELLO owned by Guiseppe de Montel, trained by Willy Carter and ridden by Paolo Caprioli

ARTHUR CARTER (1863-1916) son of THOMAS RICHARD CARTER and ELIZA BAYNES

Arthur Carter, youngest son of Thomas Richard Carter and his wife Eliza Baynes, was born in 1863. He was the brother of successful trainers Fred Carter and Richard Carter jnr, and the father of Leslie Carter. Although he was not quite as successful as his older brothers, he did win the Prix D'Essai des Pouliches, the French 1000 Guineas twice, firstly in 1895 with Edmond Blanc's Andree, and again in 1911 with Bolide owned by Colonel Hunsiker. He also won the French 2000 Guineas on two occasions, firstly in 1896 with Arreau, and then in 1900 with Governor, both owned by Edmond Blanc. His fifth Classic win was in the 1894 Prix Royal Oak, the French St Leger, with Gouvernail. In the late 19th century he won 4 Grand Prix De Paris races in quick succession with Clamart in 1891, Rueil the next year, Andree in 1895 and Arreau in 1896. He also enjoyed success in the Grand Criterium in 1891 with Rueil, and in 1892 with Marly. Arthur died during the First World War, in 1916, aged 53.
1891 Grand Prix De Paris CLAMART owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by Tom Lane
1891 Grand Criterium RUEIL owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by Tom Lane
1892 Grand Prix De Paris RUEIL owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by Tom Lane
1892 Prix Morny MARLY owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by Tom Lane
1892 Prix Jean Prat (4-y-o) GOUVERNEUR owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Clarke and ridden by Tom Lane
1892 Grand Criterium MARLY owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by Frederick Gooch
1893 Prix Des Sablons (present-day Prix Ganay) GOUVERNEUR owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Clarke and ridden by Tom Lane
1894 Prix Jean Prat (4-y-o) LAGRANGE owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Clarke and ridden by Henry Barlen
1894 Prix Lupin GOUVERNAIL owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Clarke and ridden by Henry Barlen
1894 Prix Royal Oak GOUVERNAIL owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Clarke and ridden by Henry Barlen
1895 Prix D'Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) ANDREE (7/1) owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by Henry Barlen
1895 Grand Prix De Paris ANDREE owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by Henry Barlen
1896 Prix D'Essai des Poulains ARREAU owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by Henry Barlen
1896 Grand Prix De Paris ARREAU owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by Henry Barlen
1897 Prix Robert Papin CAZABAT owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by Henry Barlen
1899 Prix Morny LUCIE owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by Thomas French
1899 Prix De Barbeville LONGBOW owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by Henry Barlen
1900 Prix D'Essai des Poulains GOVERNOR owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by A W French
1900 Prix Gladiateur SOSPIRO owned by Edmond Blanc, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by Thomas French
1903 Prix De La Salamandre FIFRE II owned by Michel Ephrussi, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by George Stern
1904 Prix Jean Prat (3-y-o) FIFRE II owned by Michel Ephrussi, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by Sidney Clemson
1906 Prix Greffulhe BRISECOEUR owned by Jean Joubert, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by Alec Carter
1908 Prix Hocquart LIEUTEL owned by Cte A de Pracomtal, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by George Bellhouse
1911 Prix ''Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) BOLIDE (104/10) owned by Colonel Hunsiker, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by N Turner
1914 Prix De Barbeville BAVARD III owned by August Belmont, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by Charles Childs

1900 Prix Montgomery Steeplechase SERPENT owned by Charles Lienart, trained by Charles Carter and ridden by Arthur Brooks
1901 Prix Des Drags (Steeplechase) KILLARNEY owned by Charles Lienart, trained by Charles Carter and ridden by James Weis Chapman
1901 Prix Congress Grand Steeplechase JARDIN owned by Charles Lienart, trained by Charles Carter and ridden by James Weis Chapman
1901 Prix La Haye Jousselin Steeplechase KILLARNEY owned by Charles Lienart, trained by Charles Carter and ridden by James Weis Chapman
1901 Prix Du President De La Republique Steeplechase SERPENT owned by Charles Lienart, trained by Charles Carter and ridden by Arthur Brooks
1902 Prix Jean Stern Steeplechase LIEUTENANT owned by Charles Lienart, trained by Charles Carter and ridden by James Weis Chapman
1902 Prix La Haye Jousselin Steeplechase KILLARNEY owned by Charles Lienart, trained by Charles Carter and ridden by James Weis Chapman
1902 Prix Montgomery Steeplechase VEINARD owned by Charles Lienart, trained by Charles Carter and ridden by James Weis Chapman
1903 Grand Steeplechase De Paris VEINARD owned by Charles Lienart, trained by Charles Carter and ridden by Harry Holt
1904 Grand Prix De La Ville De Nice Steeplechase KILLARNEY owned by Charles Lienart, trained by Charles Carter and ridden by James Weis Chapman
1905 Grand Prix De La Ville De Nice Steeplechase LE MATIN owned by Charles Lienart, trained by Charles Carter and ridden by James Weis Chapman

Roland Godfrey Carter, born in 1872, was the second son of Richard Carter snr and his wife Marie-Rose Leclerc, and brother of Charles Carter. Roland was not as successful a trainer as his father or brother, but did win the 1902 Prix Delatre with Darius owned by Michael Stern. Roland died in 1902 aged just 30.
1902 Prix Delatre DARIUS owned by Michael Stern, trained by Roland Godfrey Carter and ridden by Albert Childs

FRANK CARTER (1882-1937) son of FRED CARTER and grandson of THOMAS RICHARD CARTER

Frank Carter, oldest son of Fred Carter and his wife Caroline Cotton Carter (nee Planner), was born in 1882. He was the brother of Alec Carter and grandson of Thomas Richard Carter, and became one of the Carter family's most decorated Classic winning trainers. In addition to his numerous French Classic successes, he also won the English 1000 Guineas and 2000 Guineas, and the 1931 Epsom Oaks, although his 1000 Guineas win almost did not happen. He trained an outsider named Kandy, after a city in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, the horse being owned by Everemond de Saint-Alary. His owner did not think she was very capable and withdrew her entry, but she was allowed to be reinstated, was tried over a longer distance on the Rowley Mile, and Frank noticed rapid improvement in her. She travelled to England to be based at the Clarehaven stables of Victor Gilpin and duly caused a 33/1 surprise in the 1000 Guineas when partnered by Charlie Elliott. Although she was made favourite for the French 1000 Guineas, the Prix D'Essai des Pouliches, she never featured and was retired to the breeding sheds shortly afterwards. Just 5 years later Frank sent Le Ksar to Newmarket to contest the 2000 Guineas which he duly won for Everemond de Saint-Alary at 20/1. In 1931 he had won the Epsom Oaks with Brulette, owned by Colonel Charles Birkin and ridden by Charlie Elliott. In spite of these successes on English soil, undoubtedly, the highlights of his training career was his trio of victories in the prestigious Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, firstly in 1927 with Edouard Martinez de Hoz' Mon Talisman, again in 1931 with Mademoiselle Diana Esmond's Pearl Cap, and finally in 1935 for faithful owner Everemond de Saint-Alary's Samos. Frank died in 1937, but could be proud of his multiple Classic wins on both sides of the Channel.

1931 Grand Prix Du Printemps (present day Prix Jean de Chaudenay) RAEBURN owned by Edouard Martinez de Hoz, trained by Franck Carter and ridden by Wally Sibbritt
1931 Prix du Royal Oak (French St Leger) DEIRI (58/10) owned by Alexandre Aumont, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Wally Sibbritt
1932 1000 Guineas at Newmarket KANDY (33/1) owned by Everemond de Saint-Alary, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Charlie Elliott
1932 Prix Du Cadran BRULETTE owned by H L Birkin, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Charles-Henri Semblat
1932 Prix Lupin SHRED owned by Edward Esmond, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Charles-Henri Semblat
1932 Prix Daru SHRED owned by Edward Esmond, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Charles-Henri Semblat
1933 Prix D'Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) BIPEARL (27/10) owned by Edward Esmond, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Charles-Henri Semblat
1933 Prix Dollar BRACKEN owned by Edward Esmond, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Charles-Henri Semblat
1934 Prix Eugene Adam ASTRONOMER owned by Joseph E Widener, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Charles-Henri Semblat
1934 Prix De La Salamandre FINLANDAISE owned by Mademoiselle Diana Esmond, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Charles-Henri Semblat
1935 Prix Morny MISTRESS FORD owned by Edward Esmond, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Charles-Henri Semblat
1935 Prix Robert Papin MISTRESS FORD owned by Edward Esmond, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Guy Garner
1935 Prix du Jockey Club PEARLWEED (74/10) owned by Edward Esmond, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Charles-Henri Semblat
1935 Prix D'Arenberg MISTRESS FORD owned by Edward Esmond, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Charles-Henri Semblat
1935 Grand Criterium MISTRESS FORD owned by Edward Esmond, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by George Bridgland
1935 Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe SAMOS owned by Evremond de Saint-Alary, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Wally Sibbritt
1936 Prix Greffulhe FASTNET owned by Joseph E Widener, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by George Bridgland
1936 Prix Vermeille MISTRESS FORD owned by Mademoiselle Diana Esmond, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Charles-Henri Semblat
1936 Prix de Diane MISTRESS FORD (6/5 fav) owned by Mademoiselle Diana Esmond, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Charles-Henri Semblat
1936 Prix Noailles FASTNET owned by Joseph E Widener, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by George Bridgland
1936 Prix Jean Prat (4-y-o) QUORN owned by Joseph E Widener, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by George Bridgland
1937 2000 Guineas at Newmarket LE KSAR (20/1) owned by Everemond de Saint-Alary, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Charles-Henri Semblat
1937 Prix Daru VICTRIX owned by Joseph E Widener, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by George Bridgland
1937 Prix Robert Papin GOSSIP owned by Joseph E Widener, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by George Bridgland
1937 Grand Criterium GOSSIP owned by Joseph E Widener, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by George Bridgland
1937 Prix Lupin CLAIRVOYANT owned by Edouard Martinez De Hoz, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Charles-Henri Semblat
1937 Prix D'Arenberg SHREW owned by Edward Esmond, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Charles-Henri Semblat
1937 Prix Hocquart CLAIRVOYANT owned by Edouard Martinez De Hoz, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by George Bridgland
1937 Prix du Jockey Club CLAIRVOYANT (16/10) owned by Edouard Martinez de Hoz, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by Charles-Henri Semblat
1937 Grand Prix De Paris CLAIRVOYANT owned by Edouard Martinez de Hoz, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by CharlesSemblat
1937 Prix du Royal Oak (French St Leger) VICTRIX (4/1) owned by Joseph E Widener, trained by Frank Carter and ridden by George Bridgland

Alexandre Georges Carter, son of Frederick Carter and his wife Caroline Cotton Carter (nee Planner) was born on Monday 31st January 1887 into a racing family that was steeped in French racing history, so it is no surprise that he, and his brother Frank, were destined to make careers in the racing industry, Alec as a jockey and Frank as a trainer. Alec was only 5 years old when his father, Fred, died in 1893, and he was brought up, in the main, by his maternal grandfather William Planner. He showed exceptional horsemanship and was only 12 when he won his first flat race, and later, in 1902, he won the 1902 Ommnium on Affection for trainer Henry Foy, although it was always going to be a challenge for him to continue as a Flat jockey due to his weight, so he switched his talent to riding steeplechasers. In 1907 he was crowned Champion National Hunt jockey in France with a record 139 victories. Alec was a good-looking chap and was pursued, wherever he went, by rich, famous, eligible women, and maybe even some who were not still eligible?!  In 1908 he won the Grand Steeplechase de Paris aboard Dandolo, but by 1910 he was conscripted in to the French Army, joining the cavalry, under the 1890 law which stated that the sons of French Nationals had to complete their military service. As a member of the Cavalry he was allowed to continue to pursue his riding career, winning the 1913 French Champion Hurdle riding Galafron owned by James Hennessey. In 1914 he secured his second win in the Grand Steeplechase de Paris riding Lord Loris. He even had time to ride Lutteur III (10/1) in the Aintree Grand National, coming third behind Sunloch and Trianon III. His last victory before going off to War was partnering Lord Loris. When War broke out towards the end of 1914 he was a serving Sergeant in the 23rd Dragoons, and received an award for gallantry. Tragically, on 11th October 1914 his unit came under fire by the Germans at Arras, near the River Aisne, and he was badly wounded. Rushed to the operating table, his leg was shattered and had to be amputated, but it was not enough to save him, and he died 4 days later on 15th October 1914.
1906 Prix Congress Grand Steeplechase MURANO owned by Charles Lienart, trained by Charles Carter and ridden by Alec Carter
1906 Prix Greffulhe BRISECOEUR owned by Jean Joubert, trained by Arthur Carter and ridden by Alec Carter
1908 Grand Steeplechase de Paris DANDOLO owned by Eugene Fischoff, trained by Wallace Davis and ridden by Alec Carter
1909 Prix Juigne BOL owned by Charles Lienart, trained by Charles Carter and ridden by Alec Carter
1913 Grande Course de Haies D'Auteuil (French Champion Hurdle) GALAFRON owned by James Hennessey, trained by Carter and ridden by Alec Carter
1914 Grand Steeplechase de Paris LORD LORIS owned by James Hennessey, trained by George Bachelor and ridden by Alec Carter

PERCY CARTER (1889-1973) son of RICHARD CARTER junior and grandson of THOMAS CARTER

Percy Carter, son of Richard Carter junior and his wife Alice Strutt, and grandson of Thomas Richard Carter, was born in 1889 and followed in the family tradition of training racehorses at Rue Faisanderio. In 1927, after the death of his brother-in-law Frank, Percy moved to his Mill Cottage stables. He was very successful at his job, winning the 1940 and 1947 French 2000 Guineas with Djebel and Tourment respectively. After winning the French 2000 Guineas, Marcel Boussac moved Djebel to Albert Swann's stables and the horse later won the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe. Percy also won the French St Leger, the Prix du Royal Oak on four occasions, firstly in 1925 with Priori, then in 1947 with the Baron Geoffroy de Waldner’s Tourment, again 6 years later with Buisson D’Or owned by George Wildenstein, and finally in 1958 with Wallaby. However, the undoubted highlights of his training career were winning the 1925 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with Priori, and the 1947 Epsom Derby with outsider Pearl Diver at 40/1. In 1959 Percy sent Wallaby to Royal Ascot to contest the Gold Cup. Watched by a large crowd, which included Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother, Wallaby defeated Alcide by a short head. Percy did like the odd venture into steeplechases, winning the 1923 Prix La Haye Jousselin Steeplechase with Onyx II for Edouard Henriquet. Percy, who was the only Carter to apply for French nationality, was the only Carter left in France after the German occupation in World War II, enjoying a long training career until his death in 1973 at the grand old age of 84.

Leslie Carter, son of Arthur Carter and his wife Frances Robinson, and grandson of Thomas Richard Carter, was born in 1890. He did turn his hand to uphold the family tradition and train, although his only notable success was with Fondor in the 1931 Prix De Fontainebleu for owner Henri Cotteveille.
1931 Prix De Fontainebleu FONDOR owned by Henri Cotteveille, trained by Leslie Carter and ridden by Francois Herve

John Watson as a jockey on Sir John
Tuesday 19th October 1886 Gosforth Nursery Handicap Hurdle at Newcastle SIR JOHN (6/1) owned and trained by James Watson and ridden by John Jack Watson
April 1888 Brough Hall Handicap at Catterick Bridge SIR JOHN (100/15) owned and trained by James Watson and ridden by John Jack Watson was second
April 1888 Thirsk Handicap SIR JOHN (7/2) owned and trained by James Watson and ridden by John Jack Watson was third
June 1888 Newcastle Handicap SIR JOHN (7/2) owned and trained by James Watson and ridden by John Jack Watson was third
9th August 1888 Richmond Handicap Plate won by SIR JOHN (7/2) owned and trained by James Watson and ridden by John Jack Watson
4th September 1888 Chatsworth Stakes at Derby SIR JOHN (10/1) owned and trained by James Watson and ridden by John Jack Watson was third, beaten by Lady Rosebery, ridden by Jem Snowden, and Isosceles ridden by John Watts

Wednesday 25th March 1896
Brocklesby Stakes at Lincoln
1. JEST (4/1 fav) Leopold de Rothschild (O), John Watson (T), Tommy Loates (J)
2. PRINCESS ANNE (10/1) Sir R Waldie-Griffith (O), Bob Sherwood (T), Rumbold (J)
3. EAGER (9/2) Mr Fairie (O), James Ryan (T), Fred Pratt (J)

Wednesday 24th March 1897
Brocklesby Stakes at Lincoln
1. GAY LOTHAIR (9/4 fav) Leopold de Rothschild (O), John Watson (T), John Watts (J)
2. FIRE ARM (100/8) F H Jennings (O), Jennings snr (T), C Loates (J)
3. LEONTODON (10/1) Prince Soltykoff (O), Gibbons (T), Morny Cannon (J)

Wednesday 23rd March 1898
Brocklesby Stakes at Lincoln
1. AMURATH (4/1 fav) H L Raphael (O), John Watson (T), Tommy Loates (J)
2. DESMOND (9/2) Lord Dunraven (O), Bob Sherwood (T), Rumbold (J)
3. SISTER ANGELA (100/8) Sir M Fitzgerald (O), Gilbert (T), C Ward (J)

Wednesday 22nd March 1899
Brocklesby Stakes at Lincoln
1. HULCOT (2/1 fav) Leopold de Rothschild (O), John Watson (T), Tommy Loates (J)
2. SYRIA (9/4) Sir R Waldie-Griffith (O), Bob Sherwood (T), Tod Sloan (J)
3. CROW TENTER (7/1) Mr Vyner (O), Matthews (T), Black (J)

Wednesday 27th March 1901
Brocklesby Stakes at Lincoln
1. FAST CASTLE (11/2) Mr J Watson (O), John Watson (T), Kempton Cannon (J)
2. IRENA COLT (4/1) Mr J Musker (O), Gilbert (T), Otto Madden (J)
3. SIMONY (3/1 fav) Sir J Blundell-Maple (O), W Waugh (T), Sam Loates (J)

Wednesday 19th March 1902
Brocklesby Stakes at Lincoln
1. SKYSCRAPER (4/1) Mr W Raphael (O), John Watson (T), Kempton Cannon (J)
2. RUSHLIGHT (5/2 fav) Lord Cadogan (O), Blackwell (T), Danny Maher (J)
3. SIR JOSHUA (4/1) Duke of Portland (O), George Lambton (T), Morny Cannon (J)

1896 Brocklesby Stakes JEST 4/1 fav owned by Leopold de Rothschild, trained by John Watson and ridden by Tommy Loates
1897 Brocklesby Stakes GAY LOTHIAN 9/4 fav owned by Leopold de Rothschild, trained by John Watson and ridden by John Watts
1898 Brocklesby Stakes AMURATH 4/1 jt fav owned by Mr H L Raphael, trained by John Watson and ridden by Tommy Loates
1898 Royal Hunt Cup JACQUEMART 100/9 owned by Leopold de Rothschild, trained by John Watson and ridden by Tommy Loates
1899 Brocklesby Stakes HULCOT 2/1 fa owned by Leopold de Rothschild, trained by John Watson and ridden by Tommy Loates
1901 Brocklesby Stakes FAST CASTLE 11/2 owned by Mr A Wagg, trained by John Watson and ridden by Kempton Cannon
1902 Brocklesby Stakes SKYSCRAPER 4/1 owned by Mr Walter Raphael, trained by John Watson and ridden by Kempton Cannon

The photo directly above, taken at the Thurlow Hunt, shows trainer John Watson with fellow trainers at Palace House Stables. They are General Briggs, Mr Charles Tonge (Master), Basil Jarvis and Owen Webb.

CUP WINNER RADIUM
In the 1908 season, on the back of a promising success in the 1907 Jockey Club Cup, Radium contested all of the major Cup races of the year. He was defeated in the Ascot Gold Cup in June by The White Knight, but was still sent to Goodwood with some confidence in July. In the Goodwood Cup, held on Thursday 30th July 1908, he faced The White Knight (5/6 fav) and Torpoint (4/1) once again, but this time Otto Madden delayed his challenge until well inside the distance, winning a great race by a neck from Torpoint, with old adversary, The White Knight, 2 lengths back in third. Despite his victory at Goodwood, Radium was allowed to go off at 7/1 at Doncaster, while The White Knight was made the 11/10 fav. In the event Radium confirmed his superiority by half a length from Glacis (8/1) and Dean Swift (9/4), while The White Knight toiled in their wake.

CLASSIC NORMAN III
August Belmont's Norman III was unfancied in the market in the 1908 2000 Guineas, being freely available at 25/1, with His Majesty the King's Perrier a clear favourite at 5/4, the vast crowd at Newmarket hoping to celebrate a Royal winner. At the off the first to show was Mercutio on the rails, with Lauderdale, Perrier and Your Majesty leading in the centre. As the field passed the TYC post St Orodoux sent out distress signals, although Perrier was able to improve his position, but half-way up the Bushes Hill the Royal rider Herbert Jones struggled to keep the favourite in position. Bursting from the back, Norman III took up the running from the faltering Mercutio, while White Eagle and Sir Archibald improved side by side. As the favourite dropped out of contention, Norman III assumed total control and, although Sir Archibald got the better of stable companion White Eagle, neither was a match for Norman III who won handily by 3 lengths, with just 3/4 length between second and third.

1907 Exeter Stakes at Newmarket NORMAN III (7/2) owned by August Belmont jnr, trained by John Watson and ridden by G McCall
1907 Jockey Club Cup at Newmarket RADIUM (5/1) owned by Leopold de Rothschild, trained by John Watson and ridden by B Lynham
1908 2000 Guineas NORMAN III (SR 1923) 25/1 owned by August Belmont, trained by John Watson and ridden by Otto Madden
1908 Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot SANTO STRATO (100/8) owned by Leopold de Rothschild, trained by John Watson and ridden by Otto Madden
1908 Goodwood Cup at Glorious Goodwood RADIUM (11/4) owned by Leopold de Rothschild, trained by John Watson and ridden by Otto Madden
1908 Doncaster Cup RADIUM (7/1) owned by Leopold de Rothschild, trained by John Watson and ridden by Otto Madden
1908 Newmarket St Leger NORMAN III (11/8) owned by August Belmont jnr, trained by John Watson and ridden by Otto Madden
1908 Jockey Club Cup at Newmarket RADIUM (1/6 fav) owned by Leopold de Rothschild, trained by John Watson and ridden by Otto Madden
1909 Chester Cup on the Roodee SANTO STRATO (4/1) owned by Leopold de Rothschild, trained by John Watson and ridden by Otto Madden
1909 Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot SANTA FINA (7/2) owned by Leopold de Rothschild, trained by John Watson and ridden by Otto Madden
1910 Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood PIETRI (4/6 fav) owned by Leopold de Rothschild, trained by John Watson and ridden by Danny Maher

CLASSIC TRACERY
Tracery arrived at Town Moor, Doncaster on St Leger day Wednesday 11th September 1912 in fine form, having been a good third in the Epsom Derby before winning at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood. Ridden at Doncaster by George Bellhouse, an English lad who rode in France, because his usual jockey, Danny Maher, was claimed by retainer Lord Rosebery, it was thought Watson had told Bellhouse to adopt waiting tactics on Tracery, but Bellhouse interpreted this in the way Tod Sloan did, saying he was waiting in front. After just 2 furlongs the favourite Lomond dropped back, giving Tracery a free rein in front. Throughout the long journey of close on 2 miles Tracery was in the van enjoying an untroubled run. Rounding the final bend, Tracery held all of the trump cards as, one by one, his rivals, Hector, Tagalie, and finally Maiden Erlegh, left Tracery to win by 5 lengths.

Allen Culpepper Sealy, (10th September 1850-11th November 1927) was an English painter best know for landscapes and equestrian paintings. He exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1875 and 1886, and was acknowledged as the resident Newmarket racecourse artist, commissioned to paint owners, trainers and top racehorses. Tracery, above, was painted for trainer John Watson.

In the late 1920s Elijah Cunnington purchased Cri de Guerre as a yearling for a low 3 figure sum, but sold it to wealthy American Ogden Mills and Lord Derby for over 40 times as much. The horse went on to win the 1928 Grand Prix de Paris when ridden by A Esling, beating Pinceau and Bubbles II by ¾ length and one length. The fortune Elijah made enabled him to build his own stables at 2 Avenue des Chartres, Chantilly and, after Elijah’s death in 1943, the family held onto it for a while before selling it to Alec Head in 1955. In May 1940 Elijah, along with all other French trainers, fled for their lives from Bayonne when the German’s invaded France. They boarded an already packed boat to England. His wonderful stables, mementos of his big race wins, and all of the contents of his house were confiscated by the Germans, and in 1943 the Germans set fire to his Irritzina stables, which broke Elijah's heart. Bill Webb, Elijah's brother-in-law and a successful trainer in his own right, wrote to Elijah from his St Denis internment camp to inform him about the fire. Elijah died a few months afterwards, his only consolation being that he had heard cremations were then possible, so he knew that his ashes could be returned to his beloved Chantilly.
1912 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp DE VIRIS owned by Baron Gourgaud, trained by Elijah Cunnington and ridden by Johnny Reiff
1924 Ascot Gold Cup at Royal Ascot MASSINE (100/8) owned by M Henry Ternynck, trained by Elijah Cunnington and ridden by A Sharpe
1924 Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp MASSINE (11/10 fav) owned by M Henry Ternynck, trained by Elijah Cunnington and ridden by A Sharpe
1928 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp CRI DE GUERRE (11/1) owned by Lord Derby and Ogden Mills, but previously owned by Elijah Cunnington, ridden by A Esling
1929 La Coupe D'Or at Maisons-Laffitte KINTARA trained by Elijah Cunnington
1934 La Coupe D'Or at Maisons-Laffitte SA PARADE trained by Elijah Cunnington
1936 Prix Delatre at Longchamp MIEUXCE owned by Ernest Masurel, trained by Elijah Cunnington and ridden by Andre Rabbe
1936 Prix Hocquart at Longchamp MIEUXCE owned by Ernest Masurel, trained by Elijah Cunnington and ridden by Andre Rabbe

La Coupe D'Or, now known as La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte, is a group 3 race over 2000 metres for 3-year-olds and upwards which is run each September, and was first run in 1906. It was originally called La Coupe D'Or, with a valuable Gold Cup and two ivory figures sculpted by Henri Allouard, presented to the winner, but the cost was so prohibitive that it was decided such a trophy would only be awarded to any owner who won the race 3 times in a 12 year period, and that a silver medal would be given to other owners. No owner ever achieved this feat. Kantara, a bay colt by Cylgad out of Cremone, was foaled in 1926 and won La Coupe D'Or in 1929, while Sa Parade, a dark brown mare by Grand Parade out of Sartale, was foaled in 1931 and won La Coupe D'Or in 1934. The race was abandoned throughout World War I, and in 1941 the trophy prize was abandoned, the race being renamed La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte.

1936 Prix Lupin at Longchamp MIEUXCE owned by Ernest Masurel, trained by Elijah Cunnington and ridden by Andre Rabbe
1936 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly MIEUXCE 9/2 owned by Ernest Masurel, trained by Elijah Cunnington and ridden by Andre Rabbe
1936 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp MIEUXCE owned by Ernest Masurel, trained by Elijah Cunnington and ridden by Andre Rabbe

GEOFFREY LIONEL WATSON (Chantilly) (23rd July 1905 to 27th February 1994)

Geoffrey Lionel Watson, fourth son, but second surviving son, of John Jack Watson (1870-1934) and Ellen Louisa Tayler (1872-1956) was born in Newmarket on 23rd July 1905 at a time when his father was training for the Rothschild’s at Palace House Stables, Newmarket. He never knew two of his brothers, Noel John Watson (born and died in December 1896) and James Allan Watson (born September 1899 and died 30th November 1899), but grew up with his older brother John Kenneth Watson (August 1898-November 1967), his sister Lola Watson (born 11th November 1902) and his younger brother Richard Day Watson (born 1st July 1909). After completing his education at St Winifred’s School, Kenley, Surrey between 1914 and 1919, he was then conscripted, joining the training ship, HMS Conway (Wales) between May 1920 and April 1923. He then travelled to Chantilly in 1925 where he was assistant trainer to Frank Carter between 1925 and 1930. He married his cousin, Lizzie Poppy Watson, daughter of trainer James Cooper Watson, in Chantilly on 22nd November 1929, which was Lizzie’s second marriage. She had previously married Henri Joseph Gobert in May 1916 in Chantilly, but he died in November 1918 around the time of the First World War.Geoffrey later married Liliane Claude Perthuis on 22nd October 1957 when he was aged 52.

1931 Prix du Conseil Municipal at Longchamp won by SANS AME (17/2) owned by Mr E Esmond, trained by Geoffrey Watson and ridden by Semblat
1949 Prix du Jockey Club (Third) at Longchamp VIOLONCELLE, owned by Baron Edouard de Rothschild, trained by Geoffrey Watson and ridden by P Laumain, third to Good Luck and Ambiorix.
1949 Prix Royal Oak at Longchamp won by CIEL ETOILE (5/1) owned by Baron Guy de Rothschild, trained by Geoffrey Watson and ridden by Freddy Palmer
1950 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp won by VIEUX MANOIR owned by Baron Guy de Rothschild, trained by Geoffrey Watson
1952 Poule d’Essai des Poulains at Longchamp won by GUERSANT owned by Baron Guy de Rothschild, trained by Geoffrey Watson and ridden by Paul Blanc
1953 Poule d’Essai des Poulains at Longchamp won by COBALT owned by Baron Guy de Rothschild, trained by Geoffrey Watson and ridden by Paul Blanc
1953 Prix Ganay at Longchamp won by GUERSANT owned by Baron Guy de Rothschild, trained by Geoffrey Watson
1953 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot won by GUERSANT (Evens fav) owned by Baron Guy de Rothschild, trained by Geoffrey Watson and ridden by Paul Blanc

John Watson, born 1947, was the son of Richard Day Watson (1909-1993) and his wife Dorothy Olive Mulcaster Watson (nee Bryant) (1911-1997). Richard was the son of former Newmarket trainer John Jack Watson (1870-1934). Dorothy came from a family of dentists based in Newmarket. Grandfather, Horace Bryant, and Dorothy's brothers, Kenneth and Doug, were all dentists. John Watson married Josephine Mary Henley, born in Hawkhurst, Kent 1949, they married on 22nd July 1972 at St Mary's Church, Goudhurst Kent. Jo, who hails from a family of hop and fruit farmers, has worked on many branches of the Watson and Henley families for over 3 decades. The happy couple, who have been married for more than 50 years, have two children, Peter, born 1976, and David Richard, born 1978. John followed in the footsteps of his uncle Geoff, joining the Thames Nautical Training College HMS Worcester at Greenhithe and became a Master Mariner. Enjoying a highly successful career, he managed a European Shipping line which included inland barging. John proudly remembers that his father, Richard 'Dick' Watson, attended the Army School of Equitation, known as Weedon, and during the War was a captain in the Royal Artillery, but then grabbed the opportunity to work for the Rothschild's at New Court, London, although he once dreamed of training race horses. Dick had a good relationship with the Partners in the firm, and was particularly fond of spending time with Evelyn de Rothschild. When the time came, Dick's retirement present was a signed silver salver. Dick had a keen interest in greyhounds and whippets, owning several over the years, and he liked nothing better than coursing with the John Jones Coursing Club on the Romney Marsh. He also went to the Waterloo Cup, striking up a friendship with Sir Mark Prescott. John knows his father would have been delighted for Sir Mark Prescott when he trained Alpinista to win the 2022 Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, but sadly Dick had died some years before, so John sent Sir Mark a congratulations card and letter. John and Jo literally have racing in their DNA, so it is no surprise that they have been long-standing members of Goodwood Racecourse, and last year joined the Goodwood Racing Owners Club, part owning horses like Goodwood Odyssey and Goodwood Mogul. Goodwood Odyssey won at Salisbury on 5th October 2023 at 20/1, and again at Sandown on 26th April 2024 at 5/1.