John Singleton, (1776 – 1802) 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 id ...

horse racing jockey 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 (if female) is usually referred to as the bride. A bridegroom is typically attended by a best man ...

at his master Lord Rockingham's

stud Stud may refer to the following terms: 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 ...

. 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 Sheffield is a city status in the United Kingdom, city in South Yorkshire, England, whose name derives from the River Sheaf which runs through it. The city serves as the administrative centre of the City of Sheffield. It is Historic counties o ...

. 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 and second creations came in 1414 and 1433 respectively, in favour of Henry IV's third s ...

. 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 o ...

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

Derby Derby ( ) is a city and unitary authority area in Derbyshire, England. It lies on the banks of the River Derwent in the south of Derbyshire, which is in the East Midlands Region. It was traditionally the county town of Derbyshire. Derby gain ...

on an unnamed

colt by Fidget The Colt by Fidget (1794 – after 1799) is a name used to refer to an otherwise nameless British Thoroughbred racehorse. In a career that lasted from June 1797 to April 1798 he ran at least twice and won once. On his racecourse debut in th ...

. Back in his family's native

Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ; abbreviated Yorks), formally known as the County of York, is a historic county in northern England and by far the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its large area in comparison with other English counties, functions have ...

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, also known as the Epsom Derby or the Derby, and as the Cazoo Derby for sponsorship reasons, is a Group 1 flat horse race in England open to three-year-old colts and fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey ...

- ''

Colt by Fidget The Colt by Fidget (1794 – after 1799) is a name used to refer to an otherwise nameless British Thoroughbred racehorse. In a career that lasted from June 1797 to April 1798 he ran at least twice and won once. On his racecourse debut in th ...

(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 yards ...

- ''

Portia Portia may refer to: Biology * ''Portia'' (spider), a genus of jumping spiders *''Anaea troglodyta'' or Portia, a brush-footed butterfly *Portia tree, a plant native to Polynesia Medication A form of birth control made of ethinylestradiol/levo ...

(1791)'', ''

Caelia Caelia (or Celia) is a Fairy Queen in Richard Johnson's romance '' Tom a Lincoln''. Caelia is the ruler of an island called "Fairy Land," populated by women who have slain their warmongering men. She begs Tom and his companions to stay on the is ...

(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 a ...

- '' Orville (1802)''

References

Bibliography

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