Half Caste (horse)

Half Caste was a British racehorse who won the Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree in 1859, against a field of twenty horses.

According to George Edwin Collins, "Nimrod junior", in his 1902 book "History of the Brocklesby hounds, 1700-1901",^[1] Half Caste was bred by a Mr. W. Marris (of Limber, Lincolnshire) and was then purchased by a Mr. F. E. Epworth (presumably also of Lincolnshire) who sold him on to Samuel Brisco Sheward, the leading society horsedealer from 43a Green Street, Mayfair, London. He had been foaled in 1853.^[2]

John Gerard Leigh′s obituary^[3] states that both Half Caste and fellow Grand National winner Abd-el-Kaber were the first two steeplechasers he had owned, and were bought by him for 500 Guineas each from Samuel Brisco Sheward who was described as his fidus Achates (faithful friend) and who was his normal supplier of horses and represented him officially for racing purposes. John Gerard Leigh of Luton Hoo was a major (but very discreet at the time) steeplechaser owner.

He was entered in the 1859 Grand National under the name of Mr Willoughby, a nom de course of John Gerard Leigh,^[3] and was ridden by his trainer Chris Green, winning in a time of 10 minutes 2 seconds. This race saw one of the closest finishes to a National in history with only ten lengths separating the first six horses to finish. Half Caste beat French Raider (Jean Du Quesne) by a short neck and The Huntsman finished third.^[4] Half Caste only competed in the Grand National once but The Huntsman went on to win the race himself in 1862.

Half Caste is officially recorded as having started as the 7/1 second favourite^[4] for the race, but according to some contemporary newspaper reports, for instance The Era,^[5] he was listed as starting at 100/15.

Half Caste's 1859 Grand National victory was by far his greatest. The record shows he was entered for a couple of less important races (The Londesborough Great Steeple Chase Handicap, York in April 1859^[6] and The Severn Bank Steeple Chase in October 1859^[7]) but then there seems to be a long gap until he pays the stakes for entry to the 1861 Grand National, for which he is not fancied^[8] and, as he didn't run, withdrew at the last moment.

At some later point, presumably through the agency of Chris Green who had ridden for, and co-owned horses with, him, Half Caste was acquired by Henry Jones of Aps (or Apes^[9]) Hall, Littleport, Isle of Ely for breeding. Henry Jones built up one of the best small racehorse studs in the late Victorian period.^[10]

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