Matt Stephenson (racehorse trainer)

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Matt Stephenson
OccupationJockey and Racehorse Trainer
Born1735
Died1808
Newmarket, Suffolk
Major racing wins
British Classic Races
As jockey
Epsom Derby (1791)
As trainer
Epsom Derby (1789, 1791, 1797)
Epsom Oaks (1790, 1791, 1793)
Significant horses
Colt by Fidget, Eager, Skyscraper

Matthew "Matt" Stephenson (1735–1808) was a British Classic winning jockey and trainer of the late 18th century.

He trained the 1789 Derby winner, Skyscraper, ridden to victory by Sam Chifney. However, he would surpass that in 1791 when, at the age of 56, he completed the near unique feat of both training and riding the Derby winner, Eager. Owned by the Duke of Bedford, Eager started at odds of 5/2 and beat the 5/4 favourite, Vermin, into second.[1] He trained a third Derby winner in 1797 - an unnamed colt by Fidget, which was ridden by John Singleton.

He also trained a hat-trick of Oaks winners in the 1790s: Hippolyta (1790), Portia (1791) and Caelia (1793). All were Duke of Bedford horses.

Matt married John Singleton's sister, Elizabeth, and both his son and grandson became trainers. He died at Newmarket, Suffolk in 1808.[1] His great-great-granddaughter is British biochemist, Marjory Stephenson.

Major wins (as jockey)[edit]

United Kingdom Great Britain

Major wins (as trainer)[edit]

United Kingdom Great Britain

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Matt Stephenson". Jockeypedia. Retrieved 12 January 2015.