Newmarket 1809 - The 2000 Guineas
On April 18th 1809 the chestnut horse, Wizard, stormed to victory over seven rivals in the very first Two Thousand Guineas race on Newmarket Heath. King George III was on the British throne and Napoleon Bonaparte was building his empire in Europe. The world was a very different place compared to today.
General Sir Arthur Wellesley had just taken command of the British Army and was about to become the Duke of Wellington but the world was unaware of the victories ahead and the Battle of Waterloo was still years in the future. The country was feeling the cost of the seemingly endless Napoleonic wars in both its finances and self-esteem
However, at the beginning of the nineteenth century Britain was also poised on the brink of great technological, scientific and social changes in the life of the country which would, in turn, influence the rest of the world. Some of the men who would also wield influence in this new age were born in 1809: William Gladstone (4 times Prime Minister), Charles Darwin (scientist), Alfred Lord Tennyson (poet), Edgar Allen Poe (writer & poet), Felix Mendelssohn (composer) and Abraham Lincoln (American President). 1809 was also the year in which Robert Fulton patented a new invention, the steam ship.
The uncertainty of the world and the tensions of life meant that new diversions and entertainment were always welcome. Horse racing at Newmarket was enduringly popular and the town then, as now, was a national Headquarters for the sport. The Jockey Club had arrived in Newmarket in 1752 and by 1809 it was the most influential regulator of British horse racing. In addition, the Club had been purchasing parcels of land around the town and in 1809 Lord Portland inherited land in Newmarket which he proposed to add to them. He was later instrumental in clearing up and improving the Heath for racing and training.
The racing calendar and rules of the sport had both become much more organised. Sir Charles Bunbury and his fellow Stewards of the Jockey Club felt the time was right to introduce a new race with the considerable prize money of 2000 guineas (A guinea is £1 and 1 shilling or 21 shillings).
The generosity of the prize can be measured when it is considered that, at that time, an agricultural labourer might have earned 7 - 8 shillings per week (35 - 40p today!) and a skilled labourer, such as a mill worker, would probably earn 11 - 12 shillings (55 - 60p). Women were usually hired as servants and earned less – although servants also received food, lodging and uniform.
At that time most people remained in the place of their birth and acquired their father’s trade or business. However, things were changing and many a would-be jockey found his way to Headquarters from elsewhere
Of course, many men in Newmarket were employed as stable lads to care for the 400 or so horses in training. The hours were long, the food poor, discipline strict and wages very low – around four guineas a year - but some employers also provided uniform, reducing the cost of clothing and boots. Generally, the lads began work as boy apprentices and were poorly educated. At night they slept in the stables with their horses and were locked in with the animals for the night at 8 p.m. Their settee-like beds were folded up by day. In spring the working day began as early as 2.30 a.m. but during winter shorter days meant a start around 4 or 5 a.m.
Life moved at a much slower pace in the early 19th century. Railways were but a distant dream and communications took days or weeks instead of minutes except, that is, for the Admiralty’s optical telescope positioned on Side Hill (also known as King's Chair - 200 feet high and 1.25 miles east of the town). A chain of these telescopes ran from Great Yarmouth to London and beyond, employing a system of 2 movable semaphore arms that could be placed in any one of 7 positions with total of 49 signals, usable on both land and sea. These signals were observed by the next station in the chain by using powerful telescopes and were then relayed on. The stations on either side of Newmarket were at Gog Magog Hills, 11.7 miles west and Icklingham, 9.8 miles east. On a clear day messages could be relayed to London and beyond in a matter of minutes and, as the telescope was powerful enough to read results posted on the racecourse, the outcome of the day’s racing was often relayed too!
The aspiring racehorse owner of the time had to have his animals walked from one meeting to another by his Head Lad. It made good sense to have a house and stables or a stud located near major race meeting sites. Many racing notables, such as the Marquis of Queensbury (Old Q), had properties in and around Newmarket. Old Q owned Queensbury House (Wolverton Lodge) and its associated properties on the High Street.
Most of the nobility, gentry and hangers-on were temporary residents during the racing season. The actual population of the town then was around 2500. Life for permanent Newmarket residents continued much as it had for centuries through Mediaeval times when the first market charter was granted in 1200 A.D. and after King James I “discovered” Newmarket in 1604 and the world began to flock to this little town. Newmarket’s economy originally lay in small-scale agriculture, its annual fairs, its twice-weekly markets and provision of bed and board for travellers and visitors. The latter two continue on to the present day.
As always, inns and hotels (6) catered for visitors and some 27 taverns and public houses provided general refreshment for the town. Most of the latter were small, one room establishments, often part of the landlord’s dwelling. Many were located in the extensive network of little alleyways known as “The Rookery” where The Guineas shopping centre stands today. Many people brewed their own ale but this aggregate of hostelries was also supported by town tradesmen - two professional brewers, three maltsters and three coopers (barrel makers).
Most necessary goods were grown or manufactured locally so a rural town such as
Examples of these included basket makers and lime burners and there were also five fire offices representing different insurance companies. At that time there were no organised fire, police, medical or rescue services so householders purchased fire insurance and received a metal plaque to display on the exterior of the house. When fire broke out a hand cart with water and a team of men would be dispatched from the insurance office. However, the fire would only be extinguished by them if the property was displaying the correct plaque!
Medical matters were largely attended to at home using traditional folk remedies, especially in the case of the poor. However, for those who could afford them, there were two “Chymists and Druggists” in town to dispense medicines. Wealthier folk could also call on the services of three surgeons and apothecaries.
Goods were transported in and out of
Naturally, businesses supporting horseracing were also plentiful in
Builders and craftsmen too found many customers around the growing town with a brick maker and stonemasons to support the trade. Other businesses which supplied raw materials, such as timber, thrived too.
Queen Anne had given
Life was much easier for the privileged. Good, attentive service was certain wherever they went. When Milady chose to shop for material and haberdashery she had a choice of nine shops in town. She could also visit four perfumers and hairdressers and four dressmakers. His Lordship had a choice of four hatters, nine boot and shoe makers and twelve tailors and drapers. Clothes told everyone your status in society so making the right impression was very important!
This glimpse into early 19th century