Poverty, Persecution and Triumph.

The story of a jockey born in poverty in 19thC Hull, whose determination took him to the top of a tough world. He was then persecuted by a member of the aristocracy, cruelly punished, banned for nine years, but came back and triumphed. He rode one of the most famous English racehorses, St Simon, bred seven miles away at Welbeck and won the St Ledger at Doncaster. An interesting look at the world of racing as it was in the 19th and early 20thC. The St Ledger is the World’s oldest classic race and it is the 250th running of it on September 12th 2026. His history and that of the race would have involved many journeys and stops at what is now our museum.

Numbers are limited so please reserve your ticket. Email [email protected] or tel. 01777838234. If it is largely oversubscribed, we will repeat it later in the week.

Not only does our story follow the theme of local people and history but so does the museum’s building and collection. It tells of many local trades and workers through the ages including agriculture, mining, sport and coaching. The building, a Grade II Georgian coaching Inn, originally on the side of the Great North Road, has many interesting features and formed part of how the postal system was formed. It even has an original and very rare Mail Coach.

We also invite you to the opening of the national exhibition of The Society of Equestrian Artist’s on Sept. 13th 1400-1700.

Timings

Thursday 17 September:

1400-1500

Location & directions

The Museum of the Horse, 1 Market Place, Tuxford, Nottinghamshire, NG22 0LA

Directions:

Tuxford is one minute off the Northbound carriage way of the A1 and three minutes from the Southbound. There is free car parking behind the museum accessed off Newcastle Street. It is an hour and a half from Kings Cross, London by train to East Retford and then a ten minute taxi ride.

Contact on day:

Sally Mitchell

Telephone number:

+441777838234

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Please book in advance.

Booking contact name:

Sally Mitchell

Booking telephone number:

+441777838234

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking opens:

01 Jun 2026 12:00 AM

Booking closes:

19 Sep 2026 12:00 AM

Accessibility details

There is no wheel chair access to the museum but an entrance with only six shallow steps with a platform halfway and rails either side. Please ask if you need to use this. A wheelchair can be provided once inside. Full access to the Art Exhibiiton.

Additional information

As well as the talk you are invited to the opening of the Society of Equestrian Artist's national Exhibition on September 13th 2-5pm. Guided Tours of the museum will be available to book through out Heritage Open Days.

Max number of people:

14

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s)

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