Sir Tatton Sykes, 4th Baronet facts for kids
Sir Tatton Sykes (born 1772, died 1863) was an important English landowner. He was also a famous breeder of farm animals and horses. Many people knew him for his love and support of horse racing. He held the title of the 4th Baronet.
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Early Life and Education
Sir Tatton Sykes was born in 1772. He was the younger brother of Sir Mark Masterman Sykes. From 1784, he went to Westminster School. Later, in 1788, he started studying at Brasenose College, Oxford. He spent several terms there.
After college, he worked for a law firm called Atkinson & Farrar. This firm was located in Lincoln's Inn Fields in London. He also spent some time working in a bank in Kingston upon Hull.
Breeding Sheep for Better Farms
In 1803, Sir Tatton Sykes started his journey into sheep farming. He bought ten special Bakewell sheep. These sheep came from Mr. William Sanday's farm. He kept these sheep at Barton, near Malton. Soon, he became well-known for renting out his rams for breeding.
He once paid a large sum for a sheep named Ajax. He continued to travel every June to attend important animal sales. He did this until he was almost 80 years old. In September 1861, he held his own 58th and final sheep sale.
Passion for Horse Racing and Breeding
Sir Tatton Sykes loved horse racing from a young age. While living in London, he once walked all the way to Epsom. He wanted to see the horse Eager win the Epsom Derby in 1791. The next year, he rode to see John Bull win the same race.
His name first appeared in the Racing Calendar in 1803. This was when his horse, Telemachus, raced in Yorkshire. In 1805, he rode his own horse, Hudibras, and won a race. In 1808, he won another race riding his mare, Theresa.
For 20 years, he kept horses for racing. He often rode them himself in races for gentlemen riders. His racing colors were orange and purple. The last time he won a race on his own horse was in 1829. He rode a horse named All Heart and No Peel.
Famous Horse Breeder
Sir Tatton Sykes became one of the biggest horse breeders in the country. He paid high prices for some of his horses. For example, he paid 1,300 guineas for Colsterdale. He also paid £3,000 for Fandango in 1860.
His horse farm had about 200 horses and mares. He bred many famous horses. These included Grey Momus, The Lawyer, St. Giles, and Lecturer. His yearly horse sales were very popular. His horses often sold for high prices.
Becoming a Baronet and Improving Land
In 1823, Sir Tatton Sykes's older brother passed away. Sir Tatton then became the 4th Baronet. This meant he inherited the title and the family home. He moved to Sledmere House, near Malton.
He spent his time on farming, breeding animals, and fox-hunting. He found a way to make the family's Wold estates much better. He used bones as fertilizer for the land. This allowed sheep to graze and corn to grow where it was not possible before.
Other Interests and Hobbies
For 40 years, Sir Tatton Sykes was a master of foxhounds. He led fox hunts across a large area. He also paid for all the costs of the dog kennels.
Besides hunting, he was also a skilled boxer. He even received training from famous boxers. These included Gentleman Jackson and Jem Belcher.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1846, when Sir Tatton Sykes was 74, he had a special moment. He led in a horse named after him, Sir Tatton Sykes. This horse, owned by William Scott, won the St. Leger Stakes.
His last visit to Doncaster was in 1862. He went to see his 74th St. Leger race. He passed away at Sledmere on March 21, 1863. He was buried on March 27, with about three thousand people attending.
Two famous artists painted portraits of him. Sir Thomas Lawrence painted him in 1805. Later, Sir Francis Grant painted him in 1848. A memorial was also built for him at Sledmere.
Family Life
Sir Tatton Sykes married Mary Anne Foulis on June 19, 1822. She was the second daughter of Sir William Foulis. Mary Anne passed away in 1861.
They had several children together. Their sons included Sir Tatton Sykes, 5th Baronet and Christopher Sykes. Christopher became a Member of Parliament. They also had six daughters. One of their daughters, Katherine Lucy Sykes, married Hon. Thomas Grenville Cholmondeley.
