BABY SYBIL PRIMROSE COVEY

A racehorse named Hermit was in training at Findon under William Goater in 1866. I have discovered that the horse ran half a dozen times as a two-year old and won four races. Then at a Bath meeting he showed some reluctance at the start. Harvey Covey, a lad of little experience, rode him at the time. When the horses came under starter's orders, Hermit became impatient to be off. This was misconstrued as being difficult and some misinterpreted his behaviour. It was the start of the racehorse being transferred to another trainer where he went on to win the 1867 Derby.

Harvey Covey had a son, Harvey junior, who was born in Newmarket in 1875. The family had moved to Findon by 1891 and settled down at North End Row. By the time Harvey Junior had reached the age of 16 he had followed in his father’s footsteps as a stable lad and jockey and was employed at the training stables in the village.

I have found out that by the age of 32 he was married and living up the road from his work at the Mill Cottages close to the old Findon Windmill. One of the racehorses under his care at Bob Gore's stables at Downs House had the delightful name of Sybil Primrose and was entered to run in a race in 1907. Mrs. Covey was pregnant and went into labour at the Mill Cottages on the evening before the race. The baby was born at 1.30 a.m. Harvey was ecstatic at the addition to his family to say the least.

The race was at 1.30 p.m. and Sybil Primrose went to the starting post and lined up with the runners. This spirited well-bred mare ran true to form. She gamely galloped past the finishing post to win her race on the very day that Harvey’s little daughter had come into the world at the Mill Cottages. The birth had been at 1.30 a.m. and the race at 1.30 p.m. and Harvey appears to have been enraptured and overwhelmed both by the win and the birth.

It was not long before a happy Covey family gathered around the font at St. John the Baptist Church in Findon for the baptism ceremony. Much to everyone’s amusement and surprise, Harvey solemnly honoured his little daughter with the symbolic name of Sybil Primrose Covey. The Worthing Gazette dated 14th August 1907 reported the whole affair.

The only other thing I have managed to discover about Baby Sybil Primrose, is.... her marriage which took place in 1929 in St. John the Baptist Church in Findon.

Continue if you would like to read about the Grand National winner named Jerry M.

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