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Nepcote Lodge stable yard in 1896. |
THIS IS FINDON — created by Valerie Martin, contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.
The Conclusion of Hostilities
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Nepcote Lodge stable yard in 1896. |
Copyright Valerie Martin 1996
Text first published in the West Sussex Gazette, 7th November 1996.
Following the court case of Gore and Douglas v. Gully in 1906, an uneasy tranquillity prevailed on the horse racing scene on the Findon Downs. However, George Gully was in the news a year later, in November 1907. One of his stable lads, Mr. Appland, met with an accident when he was exercising a horse on the Downs for the trainer. His mount was frightened by a dog and suddenly reared up and rolled over the stable lad. It was feared at first that several of the lad's ribs were broken. After he had been escorted back to his home in Nepcote and examined by the doctor, it was found that this was not the case and his injuries were not as serious as had been thought.
To conclude the rural picture — George Gully continued to train at Nepcote Lodge Stables until 1909 when he departed from Findon.
Five years on the London Times announced on 24th October 1914 —
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"The regrettable death of Mr. Edwin Douglas, the animal painter, who died at his residence in Sussex on Thursday". |
The local newspaper of 28th October, 1914, reported —
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"British art is the poorer by the loss of Mr. Edwin Douglas". |
It was recorded that Albert Short, the farmer, was at the graveside of his landlord and neighbour and was one of the mourners along with the Douglas family.
Bob Gore is perhaps the best remembered of these characters in Findon as he is the only local racehorse trainer to boast two Grand National winners. He won the Grand National in 1912 with Jerry M who was ridden by Lester Piggott’s Grandfather, Ernie Piggott.
Bob Gore's last winner in England was Danno at Windsor on Boxing Day 1939. He also owned Jackboot, a winner at Longford, Ireland, in May, 1940.
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Who are these young guys? I can only tell you that they are the stable lads from Bob Gore's yard in Findon. I do not know their names. What stories they could tell if only they could step from the picture. |
Bob Gore, the successful trainer remained at Downs House for some forty years until he died on 5th February 1941. The Duke of Norfolk was one of the mourners at Ashington Church where he was buried. Ashington was the original the home of his wife. He left £25,866.
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Pam Stepney of North End took the above photograph for me in June 2002. The "o" has disappeared from "R-BERT" over the years.
Their home, The Downs, was sold by public auction when Ida Mary Gore died. The property came under the hammer on 12th April 1949 and included thirty-seven loose boxes, two large garages, staff accommodation, four paddocks, fourteen acres of open downland and in all about twenty-six acres. The furniture and effects, including 700oz. of silver, gold cigarette cases, diamond pendant and racing curios were also auctioned.
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Downs House following the death of Bob Gore, 1949. |
A few older inhabitants were left in Findon with memories of the Court Case at the beginning of the century when the hurdles on the Gallops were torn down in anger. The story was truly concluded. It is now recounted almost a hundred years after the newspapers ran articles on "Training Ground Dispute at Findon" and "Injunction Granted Against Mr. Gully".
Continue if you would like to read about Baby Sybil Primrose Covey in 1907.
Back to Racing Stables in Findon Index
THIS IS FINDON —
www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created exclusively for documenting life in Findon.
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E-mail: valeriemartin@findonvillage.com |
