John Porter (2 March 1838 – 21 February 1922) was an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

Thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are ...

flat racing Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, 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 basic pr ...

trainer whose horses won the English Triple Crown three times. He was described by the National Horseracing Museum as "undoubtedly the most successful trainer of the

Victorian era In the history of the United Kingdom and the British Empire, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria's reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardia ...

." He was also the founder of

Newbury Racecourse Newbury Racecourse is a racecourse and events venue in the civil parish of Greenham, adjoining the town of Newbury in Berkshire, England. It has courses for flat races and over jumps. It hosts one of Great Britain's 36 annual Group 1 flat ...

in Berkshire,

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

Background

Born in

Rugeley Rugeley ( ) is a market town and civil parish in the Cannock Chase District in Staffordshire, England. It lies on the north-eastern edge of Cannock Chase next to the River Trent; it is situated north of Lichfield, south-east of Stafford, nort ...

, Staffordshire, His father was a tailor and his mother a dressmaker. He left school in 1852, as his father was eager for him to join the legal profession. However, John Porter visited John Day’s stables while on holiday and was impressed with what he saw. In 1853 John Porter (aged 15) was apprenticed to John Day, who trained racehorses principally for lawyer

Henry Padwick Henry Padwick (1805–1879) was an English solicitor and figure of the horse racing world, known also as a moneylender, gambler and speculator. Life He was the son of William Padwick (died 1834) of Cosham House, Hampshire. He retired from the leg ...

, at Michel Grove, near Worthing, Sussex. The stable moved to Findon, Sussex in 1857. Soon after the move, John Day left Findon after a disagreement with Mr Padwick, and Porter's apprenticeship was terminated. He stayed at Findon under William Goater, who took over the trainer's licence. He became secretary and in many ways manager of the establishment on behalf of Mr Padwick, and one cannot help but wonder how, by the age of 17, he had achieved the knowledge and the confidence to take on such a complex role and handle it with the skill, talent, erudition and integrity that led to the great career that followed.

Training career

Porter was given his first chance to train by Sir Joseph Hawley, who built the Kingsclere training establishment, near Newbury, but in Hampshire. During his career Porter also trained for

King George V George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936. Born during the reign of his grandmother Qu ...

, the

Duke of Westminster Duke of Westminster is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created by Queen Victoria in 1874 and bestowed upon Hugh Grosvenor, 3rd Marquess of Westminster. It is the most recent dukedom conferred on someone not related to the ...

, The Duke of Portland, the Earl of Crewe and

Earl of Portsmouth Earl of Portsmouth is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1743 for John Wallop, 1st Viscount Lymington, who had previously represented Hampshire in the House of Commons. He had already been created Baron Wallop, of Fa ...

. In his will Sir Joseph gave Porter the opportunity to buy the Kingsclere estate at a price which he could afford, and he did just that. As trainer, and then owner of Kingsclere, Porter trained horses that won twenty three of the British Classic Races, including seven in England's most prestigious race, The Derby. His Triple Crown wins came with Ormonde (1886), Common (1891), and

Flying Fox ''Pteropus'' (suborder Yinpterochiroptera) is a genus of megabats which are among the largest bats in the world. They are commonly known as fruit bats or flying foxes, among other colloquial names. They live in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Aust ...

(1899).

Retirement and honours

John Porter retired from racing in 1905. The John Porter Stakes at Newbury Racecourse is a one and a half-mile race for older horses named in his honor. This was run for the first time on 29 September 1928, six years after his death and takes place today during the April meeting.

John Porter and Newbury Racecourse

Porter was also a founder of

and served as its managing director. During 1903 and 1904, John Porter went to

The Jockey Club The Jockey Club is the breed registry for Thoroughbred horses in the United States and Canada. It is dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing and fulfills that mandate by serving many segments of the industry through its s ...

several times with his proposals for a new racecourse at Newbury. He thought that Newbury's easily accessible location and proximity to other popular establishments in the area would make it an ideal place for a new racecourse.

rejected these proposals several times, stating that there were already enough racecourses in the country. However, a chance meeting between Porter and

King Edward VII Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Emperor of India, from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910. The second child and eldest son of Queen Victoria a ...

changed everything. The King showed his interest in the proposal and

the Jockey Club The Jockey Club is the breed registry for Thoroughbred horses in the United States and Canada. It is dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing and fulfills that mandate by serving many segments of the industry through its s ...

eventually issued a license. Porter was then able to go ahead. If it had not been for this chance meeting with the King,

would not be here today! The

Company was formed on 26 April 1904. The first meeting of the Directors was held at the registered offices in

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

a few days later, with John Porter in the chair. They purchased the land and began construction of the racecourse building and stables-they were given only 9 months to build the racecourse and buildings from scratch! The first race meeting to be held at Newbury was over the 26 and 27 September 1905. Porter trained Zelis to win the Regulation Plate. This was his first and only win at Newbury as he retired at the end of the 1905 season.

References

John Porter at the United Kingdom's National Horseracing Museum
*John Porter of Kingsclere an Autobiography (1919) Grant Richards *Bloodstock Breeders Review, the British Bloodstock Agency

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Porter, John British racehorse trainers People from Rugeley 1838 births 1922 deaths People from Kingsclere