John Singleton, (1776 – 1802) was an English

horse racing Horse racing is an equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its bas ...

jockey A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used ...

of the late 18th and early 19th century. He was actually the third John Singleton from the same family to achieve prominence in racing circles, following his father John and his great uncle John. His father John married the daughter of the

groom A bridegroom (often shortened to groom) is a man who is about to be married or who is newlywed. When marrying, the bridegroom's future spouse is usually referred to as the bride. A bridegroom is typically attended by a best man and Groomsman, ...

at his master Lord Rockingham's

stud Stud may refer to: Animals * Stud (animal), an animal retained for breeding ** Stud farm, a property where livestock are bred Arts and entertainment * Stud (band), a British progressive rock group * The Stud (bar), a gay bar in San Francisco * ...

. Singleton was the product of this marriage and was born in France. He was being lined up to go into a medical career, under the tutelage of his maternal uncle who was a surgeon in Sheffield. Instead, he ran away to Newmarket to the stables of the

Duke of Bedford Duke of Bedford (named after Bedford, England) is a title that has been created six times (for five distinct people) in the Peerage of England. The first creation came in 1414 for Henry IV's third son, John, who later served as regent of Fran ...

. For Bedford, Singleton rode to victory in three

British Classic Races The British Classics are five long-standing Group 1 horse races run during the traditional flat racing season. They are restricted to three-year-old horses and traditionally represent the pinnacle of achievement for racehorses against their ow ...

– the 1791 Oaks on Portia (aged just, the 1793 Oaks on Caelia and, his most famous victory, the 1797

Derby Derby ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area on the River Derwent, Derbyshire, River Derwent in Derbyshire, England. Derbyshire is named after Derby, which was its original co ...

on an unnamed colt by Fidget. Back in his family's native

Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ) is an area of Northern England which was History of Yorkshire, historically a county. Despite no longer being used for administration, Yorkshire retains a strong regional identity. The county was named after its county town, the ...

he also won the 1802 St. Leger on Orville for Lord Fitzwilliam, who had inherited the estates of his uncle, Lord Rockingham, the man who had provided Singleton's father and great uncle with so many of their victories, and also employed his maternal grandfather as stud groom. Singleton died two months later at the age of 26, "highly respected, esteemed and lamented" by the Newmarket racing community.

Major wins

Great Britain *

Epsom Derby The Derby Stakes, more commonly known as the Derby and sometimes referred to as the Epsom Derby, is a Group races, Group 1 flat Horse racing, horse race in England open to three-year-old Colt (horse), colts and Filly, fillies. It is run at Ep ...

– '' Colt by Fidget (1797)'' *

Epsom Oaks The Oaks Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 6 ya ...

– '' Portia (1791)'', ''

Caelia Caelia (or Celia) is a Fairy Queen in Richard Johnson (16th-century writer), Richard Johnson's Romance (heroic literature), romance ''Tom a Lincoln''. Caelia is the ruler of an island called "Fairy Land", populated by women who have slain their war ...

(1793)'' *

St Leger The St Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over ...

– '' Orville (1802)''

References

Bibliography

* * 1776 births 1802 deaths English jockeys {{England-horseracing-bio-stub