By the death of Mr. William George Craven, which occurred at his
residence, 63, Curzon Street, Mayfair, last month, the Jockey Club has
lost its oldest member, with the exception of the Earl of Coventry, who
was elected forty-six years ago, twelve months prior to the election of
the late Mr. Craven. The deceased gentleman was instrumental in
obtaining several reforms in the Jockey Club which were much needed at
the time. Born in 1835, the late Mr. Craven was the eldest son of the
late Hon. George Augustus Craven. He was educated at Eton, and served a
few years in the 1st Life Guards. He was elected a member of the Jockey
Club at the early age of twenty-six, and three years afterwards was
appointed a Steward. He was again appointed Steward in 1879, during
which period of office he was called upon to deal with the memorable
objection to Bend Or after the Derby of 1880. Mr. Craven owned many good
horses in his time, and among his winnings were the Gold Vase at Ascot
in 1864, and the Great Metropolitan Stakes at Epsom the following year.
Most of his horses were, however, sold in 1866, since which date his
colours have been seldom seen on the racecourse.