Nat Flatman
Encyclopedia
Elnathan "Nat" Flatman was a British
Champion flat racing
jockey
. He began his thirty-four-year racing career as an apprentice jockey at age fifteen. By 1840 he was dominating British racing, winning the Champion Jockey
title thirteen years in a row.
During his career, Nat Flatman won many important Thoroughbred horse race
s in England including ten Classics. Often recorded as "E. Flatman," in France he is listed as Edward Flatman who traveled there to compete in several major races. Included in his French successes were three wins in the then most prestigious horse race in France, the Prix du Jockey Club
, and two wins in the most prestigious race for filly
s, the Prix de Diane
.
Flatman had his portrait painted by equine artist Harry Hall (1814–1882) and by John Frederick Herring, Sr.
(1795–1865) and his son, John Herring, Jr.
(1820–1907).
Nat Flatman retired from racing in 1859 and died the following year. The epitaph
on his headstone
in All Saints Church, in the renowned English racing town of Newmarket states that he was "known to be honest, sober, discreet and plain living." The town later named a street in Nat Flatman's honour.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
Champion flat racing
Flat racing
Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...
jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
. He began his thirty-four-year racing career as an apprentice jockey at age fifteen. By 1840 he was dominating British racing, winning the Champion Jockey
British flat racing Champion Jockey
The Champion Jockey of flat racing in Great Britain is the jockey who has ridden the most winning horses during a season. The list below shows the Champion Jockey and the number of winners for each year since 1840...
title thirteen years in a row.
During his career, Nat Flatman won many important Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
s in England including ten Classics. Often recorded as "E. Flatman," in France he is listed as Edward Flatman who traveled there to compete in several major races. Included in his French successes were three wins in the then most prestigious horse race in France, the Prix du Jockey Club
Prix du Jockey Club
The Prix du Jockey Club, sometimes referred to as the French Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
, and two wins in the most prestigious race for filly
Filly
A filly is a young female horse too young to be called a mare. There are several specific definitions in use.*In most cases filly is a female horse under the age of four years old....
s, the Prix de Diane
Prix de Diane
The Prix de Diane, sometimes referred to as the French Oaks, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies...
.
Flatman had his portrait painted by equine artist Harry Hall (1814–1882) and by John Frederick Herring, Sr.
John Frederick Herring, Sr.
John Frederick Herring, Sr. , also known as John Frederick Herring I, was a painter, sign maker and coachman in Victorian England.John F. Herring, Sr. is the painter of the 1848 "Pharoah's Chariot Horses"...
(1795–1865) and his son, John Herring, Jr.
John Frederick Herring, Jr.
John Frederick Herring, Jr. was an English painter who is best known for his equine art.Born in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, he was a son of painter John Frederick Herring, Sr. .-Life and work:...
(1820–1907).
Nat Flatman retired from racing in 1859 and died the following year. The epitaph
Epitaph
An epitaph is a short text honoring a deceased person, strictly speaking that is inscribed on their tombstone or plaque, but also used figuratively. Some are specified by the dead person beforehand, others chosen by those responsible for the burial...
on his headstone
Headstone
A headstone, tombstone, or gravestone is a marker, usually stone, that is placed over a grave. In most cases they have the deceased's name, date of birth, and date of death inscribed on them, along with a personal message, or prayer.- Use :...
in All Saints Church, in the renowned English racing town of Newmarket states that he was "known to be honest, sober, discreet and plain living." The town later named a street in Nat Flatman's honour.