Andrea DART (nee Jousiffe) recounts the story of the famous horse owner and trainer in the family:
Charles Jousiffe was born in Herne Bay, Kent and was very keen to become a jockey from a young age. He became apprentice to James Thirkell at Epsom. After 18months he moved North to Mr Osborne of Ashgill (his indentures were in the name of 'Joseph') While at Ashgill, South Lancashire, he looked after and rode' Rapparee' The stable had many lightweights, Chaloner and Harry Grimshaw getting most rides but Jousiffe rode 'Paddy O'Rourke for the Portugal Plate, won by Queen of Trumps in 1862 and also had a mount on 'York Minster' in Harlington's Cesarewitch. At 6st 2 he went to Belgium and returned to the UK in 1864 and then took up an offer to go to India. He went to Madras, Bengal and Calcutta, training and riding winners but after 11years Jousiffe came home in 1875. He bought a couple of horses and a small stable in Lambourn.
He won several races with 'Chancellor' and in 1877 became Private trainer to Mr Bird and Lord Kesteven and took up his quarters at Seven Barrows.
Early winners included:
Woodquest Flame
Gwendoline
Ghost Jousiffe
He started training for Mr H Barclay in December 1881 and first success was with 'Condor II'
Other winners:
Kinbolton
Polariscope
Glasgow
Playful
Criterion
Playfair
'Bendigo' came to Seven Barrows in July 1881 and eventually won the first Eclipse Stakes at Sandown which was worth £10,000 the richest race run in 1886, the following year 'Bendigo' won the Champion Stakes at Newmarket.
Jousiffe won the 2000 Guineas with 'Surefoot' in 1890
In the year he died, Jousiffe had 61 horses in training.
His funeral was held at St Michael and All Angels, Lambourn and his body was interred in the Church Yard next to his sister, Charlotte, who died on 21 Nov 1885 age 47.
The Lych gate in Lambourn (picture) is unlikely to have been used for these purposes and serves as a beautifully decorated entrance to the churchyard from the market square as well as a memorial to Charles Jousiffe who trained so many winners in the valley of the racehorse.
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