1. Samuel Chifney was a pioneer of professional race-riding, developing a trademark late finishing style, known as the 'Chifney rush' and was the retained jockey of the Prince of Wales.
18 Facts About Samuel Chifney
1. 2.
Samuel Chifney became the leading horseman of his day, winning four runnings of the Oaks and one of the Derby, but his career ended in ignominy after a scandal around a ride on the Prince of Wales's horse, Escape.
3.
Samuel Chifney was born in Northwold, Norfolk around 1753 and, entering Foxe's stables at Newmarket Racecourse in 1770, soon learned the rudiments of horse racing.
4.
Samuel Chifney was known to be something of a dandy, to an extent that bordered on the effeminate, with hair flowing out from the front of his cap, ruffs and frills on his clothing and bunches of ribbons on his boots.
5.
Samuel Chifney was an instinctive horseman, whose considered approach contrasted with the untutored 'grooms' who had come before him.
6.
Samuel Chifney was regarded by fellow jockey, Frank Buckle, as a "model of perfection".
7.
However, in the second year of his commission, Samuel Chifney became embroiled in a scandal which would ruin his career.
8.
Suspicions were immediately raised that Samuel Chifney had pulled the horse in the original race to secure a better price for his money on the Friday.
9.
Samuel Chifney was duly summoned before the Jockey Club to explain himself.
10.
Samuel Chifney stated that the horse had needed the race on the Thursday to "clear his pipes" and, knowing this, he had had no bet on the first run and 20 guineas on the second.
11.
Samuel Chifney left Newmarket for London in 1800, never to return.
12.
Samuel Chifney invented a bit for horses, which is named after him and still in use.
13.
The Samuel Chifney bit is sometimes described as an Uppingham bit with pelham cheeks and a snaffle mouth.
14.
Samuel Chifney was committed to Fleet Prison for the debt, and died there aged 52 on 8 January 1807.
15.
Samuel Chifney died in Pancras Square, Pancras Road, London on 14 October 1862.
16.
Samuel Chifney became jockey to the Prince of Wales, first riding for him at the Stockbridge meeting in 1802.
17.
Samuel Chifney used the slack-rein technique originated by his father and 'the Chifney rush'.
18.
Samuel Chifney was five times winner of the Oaks, twice of the Derby and once, aged 57, of the 1,000 Guineas.