Jack Spigot

Jack Spigot as a foal with Faucet's mare in a painting by John Frederick Herring Sr. (c. 1818).

Jack Spigot was foaled on 4 May 1818[1] on Middleham Moor near Bolton Hall in Leyburn, the family seat of his breeder Thomas Orde-Powlett, who was a younger brother of the Baron Bolton.[2] Thomas Orde-Powlett was also a cousin of William Orde, Jr. the owner of Beeswing.

Jack Spigot's dam, a sister to the stallion Bourbon, was bred by two stallions in the year preceding Jack Spigot's birth. She was first bred to Marmion on 14 April and then by Ardrossan in June 1817. Given the timing of Jack Spigot's birth, Ardrossan is likely his sire.[1] Ardrossan was an unbeaten racehorse in three starts and stood at Rushyford near Durham.[3] Marmion was only defeated once in eight career starts and is an ancestor of the influential broodmare Pocahontas.[4]

Jack Spigot's dam had a fractious temperament[5] and had been blind and barren for four years before Jack Spigot's birth.[6] Her first foal died at a young age in 1814[7] and she was owned by H. Peirse until she was sold to Powlett for a small sum.[6] While owned by Peirse, the mare had killed other horses by kicking, notably Reveller's dam Rosette in 1816.[8] She kicked about so much in the foaling paddock after Jack Spigot's birth that in order to prevent the death of her second foal, he had to be raised by a surrogate. A dapple grey foster mare similar in colouring to his own dam was procured from one of Powlett's tenants, Jack Faucet, to raise the foal.[5] The sister to Bourbon mare also produced the grey colt Isaac in 1831 (sired by Figaro), who was considered to be the "best Cup horse of his day", running in flat and steeplechase races until he was 15 years old[9] winning 53 races out of 172 starts.[10]

Before the horse's racing career, Powlett suggested that the colt be named "Jack Faucet" in honour of John Faucet. Faucet objected to the choice on the grounds that the horse was a good candidate for winning that year's St. Leger. Powlett allegedly quipped, "Well John, a Faucet's nothing without a Spigot" and the colt was subsequently named "Jack Spigot."[5]

Jack Spigot was the first horse that John F. Herring painted from life[5] and the artist painted several portraits of the racehorse during and after his racing career.

Bill Scott rode Jack Spigot for many of his early races but was disliked by the horse (portrait by John Hayes).

Jack Spigot was trained at Middleham by Isaac Blades ("J. Blades") who worked exclusively for Powlett.[11] The colt was ridden in his early engagements by Bill Scott. After his St. Leger win, Jack Spigot developed an intense dislike of the jockey and would react violently if Scott attempted to approach the horse or even spoke in his presence.[12] Jack Spigot was not raced extensively, starting only six times and winning four races including the St Leger.

Jack Spigot was retired to stud duty at Bolton Hall in 1824. He is not considered to be a good sire. Jack Spigot died in June 1843 and was buried in Yew Tree Court at Bolton Hall,[18] his grave at one time surrounded by eight yew trees.[19] Some of his bones were exhumed when a water pipe was laid across his grave years after his death. A cannon bone was recovered, set in silver and used to make a letter weight for Lord Bolton.[19]