1878 Grand National

The Shropshire market town of Shifnal has a rich, deep and somewhat forgotten horse racing history. 

SHIFNAL, the 1878 Grand National winner was bred by Mr John Eyke at Stanton Farm, Ruckley. SHIFNAL was ridden in the race by Jack Jones also known as John. He had a son called Herbert Jones who in 1913 rode Anmer for King George V in the Epsom Derby who was tragically brought down by Suffragette Emily Davison who a few days later lost her life. Herbert Jones used to have recurring nightmares about the incident and was so traumatized about the tragedy he later in life committed suicide.

Two other Grand National winners were trained on the Stanton Farm estate:

• BOURTON won the world’s greatest steeplechase in 1854 – owned by Mr Moseley and ridden by Mr Tasker. 
• FATHER O’FLYNN won in 1892 – owned by Mr C Wilson and ridden by Capt. E Owen. 

Some time later, Mr John Reid Walker established the Ruckley Stud farm at his home, Ruckley Grange near Shifnal, where he bred a pair of high class stayers – INVERSHIN and INKERMAN. INVERSHIN won back-to-back Gold Cups at Ascot in 1928 and 1929, and other good races including successive victories in the Caledonian Hunt Cup and the Derby Cup. INKERMAN’s most notable wins were in the 1923 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket and the 1924 Chester Vase. The Earl of Bradford sent several horses to be trained at Ruckley. 

Shifnal town had its own racecourse, believed to be somewhere between Coppice Green Lane and Nanny Murphy’s Lane. 

The very famous horse Gimcrack who was the subject of many Stubbs paintings is also rumoured to be buried at Haughton Hall.

Pictures and write-up courtesy of Shifnal Horse Racing History Page.