Frank Calcraft Turner (1772-1846)

Trotting races developed as a popular betting event towards the end of the 18th century. Tom Thumb, was one of two trotters purchased by Squire Osbaldeston from an Englishman living in America as American bred trotters were thought to be superior. At this time, few horses could trot sixteen miles an hour in a harness, so Osbaldeston wagered a bet with his friend George Payne that Tom Thumb could trot at 16 miles an hour. A further bet was made on the same day that the same horse could trot 16 ½ miles within the hour. The match took place, before huge crowds, on the Cambridge to Royston Road on 30 August 1830 and Tom Thumb completed the distance with only eight minutes to spare, winning the Squire his bets worth about £2,500.