Sir Tatton Sykes (horse)

Tibthorpe did not run as a two-year-old but showed a great deal of promise in training: according to one story Bill Scott dismounted after an early gallop and dropped to his knees to thank God "that he has sent me a bloody clinker at last".[5] In early 1846 the name of Tibthorpe began to appear in the betting lists for The Derby: after being quoted at odds of 100/1[6] in late January, he was backed down to 25/1 over the next month.[7] Tibthorpe made his first racecourse appearance in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on 28 April, starting at odds of 5/1 in a field of six runners. Bill Scott produced a "perfect"[8] display of jockeyship to win a slowly run race on his own horse, foiling a major gamble on a horse named Tom Tulloch. Tibthorpe's appearance and performance led to suspicions of foul play. During this period there were several cases of four-year-old horses having their identities faked and running in races, notably the British Classics, which were confined to three-year-olds. Tibthorpe's win at Newmarket was only confirmed after an examination of his teeth, demanded by Tom Tulloch's owner Lord Maidstone, which established that he was indeed a three-year-old colt.[8] The Yorkshire-trained horse was promoted to second favourite for the Derby, and Scott renamed him after Sir Tatton Sykes, 4th Baronet a notable breeder of Thoroughbreds based at Sledmere.[9]

Sir Tatton Sykes is led in by his human namesake after the 1846 St Leger

At Epsom on 27 May, Sir Tatton Sykes started at odds of 10/1 for the Derby in a field of twenty-seven runners. Bill Scott had reportedly been drinking heavily on the morning of the race and had a long and noisy argument with the racecourse starter, which resulted in him missing the start and being left behind by the other runners.[4] Scott made up the lost ground and was able to bring Sir Tatton Sykes through the field to challenge for the lead in the straight. In the closing stages, however, it became clear that Scott was in no condition to ride a strong finish and despite briefly taking the lead his colt was caught and beaten by Pyrrhus The First.[10] After the race Scott was reported to the racecourse stewards and fined £5 for "disobeying orders" and "using improper language".[11] While many blamed Scott for his horse's defeat, others pointed out that Sir Tatton Sykes was a difficult horse to ride and may well have been beaten on merit by the winner.[12] On his first start after his Epsom defeat, Sir Tatton Sykes started 4/7 favourite but failed to finish the course in the North Derby Stakes at Newcastle Racecourse on 23 June after slipping on the turn and throwing his jockey.[13] At York in August, Sir Tatton Sykes won the Knavesmire Stakes, beating Wrestler "in a canter".[14]

At Doncaster in September, twelve horses ran in the St. Leger Stakes, with Sir Tatton Sykes being made joint favourite with Brocardo at odds of 3/1. Bill Scott's condition was closely monitored, with William Oates prepared to take the ride in case of drunkenness, but he arrived at the start completely sober.[15] Scott tracked the leaders on Sir Tatton Sykes, then moved forward in the straight to dispute the lead with Iago, a colt from the stable of his brother John Scott. The two Scott horses drew clear of the other runners, with Sir Tatton Sykes prevailing by half a length after making a "tremendous rush" in the closing stages. The win was well-received, with Scott being loudly cheered by the Yorkshire crowd.[16] The original Sir Tatton Sykes, who was then seventy-five years old and a popular racecourse figure, led his equine namesake into the winner's enclosure.[17] On his final start of the season, Sir Tatton Sykes was beaten by Iago in the Grand Duke Michael Stakes at Newmarket after he had "swerved at the finish".[14]

Sir Tatton Sykes stayed in training as a four-year-old but failed to reproduce his best form. In April he ran in the Port Stakes over two miles at Newmarket's Craven meeting, but was easily beaten by Sting, after which he was sold by Scott to Captain O'Kelly.[5] At Ascot in June he contested the Emperor's Plate in which he finished unplaced behind The Hero over two and a half miles.[18] Later that summer he won a £500 match race against The Traverser over one mile at York.

1848 saw further deterioration in the form of the double Classic winner. At Ascot he finished unplaced in the Royal Hunt Cup carrying a weight of 125 pounds.[19] Later that year he ran in a race at Hampton in which he finished second to an unnamed three-year-old filly over one mile. He was then retired to stud.[14]