Background
Clayton was born in a Sydney harbourside suburb on the north shore.
Clayton was born in a Sydney harbourside suburb on the north shore.
He was indentured to famous Randwick trainer Isaac Earnshaw and rode for him some of the best horses of the time. Before teaming up with Poseidon, Clayton went close to winning the Cups double with Acrasia in 1904. Another of Clayton"s major wins came in the 1908 Futurity Stakes on Antonio.
At 28 years of age, Clayton sustained a compound fracture of the pelvis, broken ribs and internal injuries when his mount "All Blue" was one of twelve horses to fall during the running of the Trial Stakes at Rosehill on 20 March 1909.
He died as a result of these injuries on 24 March 1909. The Acrasia whip was sold for $750 and the Poseidon whip was sold for $3,750 (figures in Australian dollars).