Jenison Shafto

Background

He was second son of Robert Shafto of Benwell Towers, Northumberland.

Career

He served in the army with the 1st Foot Guards, being commissioned as Ensign in 1745 and retiring as Lieutenant in 1755. The couple had no children and she died in 1766. He was a Member (Member of Parliament) of the Parliament of Great Britain for Leominster 1761 - 1768 and for Castle Rising from 1768 until his death.

He was reported to have rode 100 miles every day for 29 days to Newmarket Heath, and then for 50 miles for 2 hours, for bets.

He committed suicide, having shot himself, in May 1771, which many attributed to gambling losses on the turf and elsewhere.

Achievements

• His only recorded speech in the House of Commons was made on 18 March 1762, proposing the militia be sent to serve abroad, during the Seven Years" War, reputedly done to win a wager of £200 laid at his London club, Arthur"son As a horse owner, Shafto"s thoroughbred racers included: Snap, which he bought in 1752 and sold after it had won three 1000-guinea match races at Newmarket. Squirrel, another successful racer which was retired for stud in 1760 and lived until 1780. And Goldfinder, sired by Snap, which won two Newmarket Challenge Cups and Whips before being sold to studies In 1763, his reputation as a winning gambler at Newmarket was such that Horace Walpole wrote to Lord Hertford: "The beginning of October, one is certain everybody will be at Newmarket, and the Duke of Cumberland will lose, and Shafto win, two or three thousand pounds.".

Membership

12th Parliament of Great Britain. 13th Parliament of Great Britain.