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Francis Buckle (1766–1832), known to the British horse racing public as "The Governor", was an English jockey, who has been described as "the jockey non-pareil" of the opening quarter of the 19th century, and the man who "brought respectability to race-riding". He won at least 27 British Classic Races during his career, a record which would not be beaten for over 150 years.
After Grosvenor's death, Buckle formed a profitable partnership with the leading horse trainer of the time, Robert Robson. With Robson, and his main owners the 3rd and 4th Dukes of Grafton, Buckle won at least another eleven Classics, the unnamed jockey who rode the 1819 and 1825 1,000 Guineas winners also being assumed to be Buckle. In 1800, he won both the St. Leger Stakes and Epsom Derby on Champion. In his career, Buckle rode 27 Classic wins, including 5 Derby winners, 9 Epsom Oaks and 2 St Legers. Besides Lord Grosvenor and the Dukes of Grafton, Buckle also rode for Sir Charles Bunbury and Colonel Mellish.
One of his most famous victories came at the 1799 Craven meeting at Newmarket. Buckle on Hambletonian met Diamond, ridden by Dennis Fitzpatrick, in a 4-mile -furlong match race. The amount bet on the race was without precedent, estimated at 250,000 guineas, and Hambletonian won by half a neck.
His last classics were the two Guineas of 1827, when, aged 60, he won on Arab and Turcoman. His last ride was on Conservator at Newmarket on 6 November 1831. He was still able to ride at 8 st 7 lb (54 kg), although he had to be careful with his weight, sitting down to a traditional dinner of goose only on the last day of the season.
His final total of 27 Classic wins remained for 150 years, although it is considered possible he won two further Classics which are uncredited.
His outside hobbies revolved around his farm at Orton Longueville. He bred cattle, sheep, greyhounds, bulldogs and fighting cocks. Though the livestock he bred were of good quality (especially the sheep), he did not make much profit. He would also ride with the Hertfordshire Hounds, although he was known for falling at every jump. He was invariably seen accompanied by his bulldog.
Buckle was known as honest - he would ride finishes against his own money in races - but lacking in intelligence. His obituary stated that he "died in the esteem of all the racing world."
Retirement and death
When he retired, on account of his famous riding stamina, there was a public call for a race between him and the famous sportsman Squire Osbaldeston "to ride for 25 days or till either of them dropped." He was not to enjoy a long retirement. Only months after retiring from the saddle he died on 5 February 1832, "in the esteem of all the racing world." He is buried in the Orton Longueville parish churchyard, beneath a tomb carrying the inscription:
Personality
Buckle was legendary for his stamina. He would think nothing of making a 92-mile (148 km) round trip between his farm at Orton Longueville to Newmarket just for a trial.
Personal life
Buckle first married at the age of 24, but his wife died shortly after. He married his second wife, Jane Thornton, the daughter of a veterinary surgeon, in Lichfield in 1807. The couple lived in Orton Longueville, Huntingdonshire and had three sons, before moving first to Peterborough, then Bury St. Edmunds in 1822 for his sons' education, then back to Peterborough.
Major wins
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Bibliography
(1978). 9780354085366, Macdonald and Jane's. ISBN 9780354085366
(1992). 9780851129891, Guinness Publishing. ISBN 9780851129891
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