Although many local people are aware of Tom Coulthwaites contribution to the racing world, many do not know that another famous name in the horse racing world was in fact born in Rugeley.

His name was John Porter and many racing historians describe him as the most successful of all the great Victorian trainers, his training record certainly endorses this.

Porter was born in Rugeley on the 2nd March 1838, to John (a tailor) and Alice. In the 1851 Census they are shown as residing in Albion Street. He was introduced to racing at an early age by his school friend, Thomas Ashmall, whose uncle was Tom Carr, the Hednesford trainer. Ashmall, who was born at Fairwell Hall, later became a successful jockey.

Although Hednesford had many trainers at that time young John moved out of the area to take up a post of lightweight jockey to 'Honest John Day' in Sussex. It took him only a short time to realise a jockeys life was not for him and in the 1861 Census his occupation was that of 'Clerk to Racing Establishment' at Findon, also in Sussex.

Ten years later he was listed in the census at Kingsclere, Berkshire, training in his own right, from then on it was onward and upward for John Porter. One of his many owners, Sir John Hawley, was one of the most influential owners on the turf at that time and the pair enjoyed a great deal of success in many races, including the Classic flat races. The third member of trio was the jockey John Wells from Sutton Coldfield, who began his career as an apprentice jockey with Thomas Flintoff at Prospect House, Hednesford. In Porter's autobiograpy titled 'Kingsclere' published in 1896, he mentions knowing Flintoff, so this is possibly where the two first met.

Porter's house at Kingsclere, known as Park House, was magnificent, as were his stables which were called by authors of day, 'The Model Racing Establishment'. Like Tom Coulthwaite, Porter's only interest outside racing was to tend to his beloved garden.

Porter trained 23 Classic winners, including 7 Derby winners and 3 Triple Crown winners (the 2000 Guineas, The Derby and the St. Leger by the same horse).

Our thanks to John Griffiths of Hednesford, for contributing the information above.