He succeeded to the baronetcy in 1873 becoming the Third Baronet (the title became extinct in 1994)
In 1874 he became Conservative MP for North Lincolnshire, a position held until the general election of 1880, when he lost his seat. By the mid-1850s his racing interests had drawn him to Newmarket, where he became a familiar figure. In 1863 he had 7 horses in training at Newmarket

And from his memoirs written in 1894:

Let us turn for a moment to consider whence so many little lads are obtained, and how they are fixed when employed in racing - stables. I feel sure there is hardly any town in Great Britain where there are so many diminutive specimens of humanity employed as at Newmarket, and a wonderful intelligent lot they are. As most of these boys are far removed from their parents and relations, they have an especial claim on the sympathy and kind feeling of those they work for, or who are interested in the horses they look after ; and, though I am a firm believer in the merits of the ash plant, when applied with judgement and moderation, either to a stubborn, pig headed horse or to a lying or obstinate lad, yet, in both cases, in nine times out of ten, kind treatment does more good than rough and violent measures.

As I believe and hope that many of my readers are amongst those who subscribed so generously to the building of the Institute (now in full swing) intended for the benefit of the men and lads in charge of racehorses or studs in and around Newmarket, you won't mind my alluding to it here. I collected about £2500 out of the £3000 subscribed for the erection of that building, and was accorded a certain amount of kudos for the nippy way I was always alongside a rich owner so soon as his horse's number was up as the winner of a good stake. Nothing like tapping 'em when the first flush of victory warms their hearts ; nevertheless, it is expedient sometimes to suggest to the owner of a good favourite for a big race, before it comes off, that if his horse wins he should subscribe a certain percentage of his winnings to the good cause. This he is generally willing enough to do, just to bring him "luck like". At the same time I will own that there are many that have helped us who have not had any luck, and many more who have not a horse at all - the more credit to them.

Now, I hold it must be a good thing for the stable-lads to have a comfortable, well contrived building where they can enjoy various games , and a quiet room where those so disposed can read without interruption ; besides which, since the opening of the Institute (which ceremony was performed, with his well known kindness of heart, by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales last July) there have been concerts held in the large hall, which the lads much appreciate, and these we hope to continue. It is curious how some of the trainers crab this Institute. They try and make out that it brings the lads together to talk over the chances of the horses under their charge for some of the big races, just as if they could not, or did not, do that in many a tap-room or billiard-room in the town, before there was any Institute for them. At all events, the most prejudiced must acknowledge that it is better for the lads to talk in a building open only to themselves, and where they have no chance of meeting any of the numerous touts and horse watchers who constantly waylay and "treat" them, for the sake of getting information which they have no right to divulge. Of course, there are many lads still, who prefer a snug tap-room where a glass of beer or tawny port, and the present of a cigar (probably home-made) is at their disposal, if they will only enlighten the donor as to the likelihood of the horse they are in charge of standing a preparation or not, or whether their horse is off his feed, &c. &c. All I know is that there are hundreds of stable-lads who frequent the Institute now, who, before it was built, had no other place to go to, where they could enjoy any sort of game, except the "pubs" in the town, where the company, to put it mildly, was somewhat mixed.

If any of my readers feel inclined to help the Institute they will do so best by subscribing to the annual expense of keeping it up, or sending presents of books to better furnish the library. It is not generally known that there are some fifteen hundred men and lads employed in looking after horses in and around Newmarket; and as the great majority come from distant parts, and are mainly selected on account of their small stature and consequent aptitude for riding as light weights, they necessarily require some sort of protection and looking after. I have never seen a brighter or more intelligent, cleanly lot of faces than I have noticed amongst these Newmarket lads, when some hundreds of them have congregated together in the Institute on the occasion of a concert; and I feel sure that none will accuse me of exaggeration, if they will come and judge for themselves at any of the series of concerts we (the managers) intend to organise during the race weeks.

Here I ought to mention that the Institute is built on a plot of ground most kindly given for the purpose by Lady Wallace, widow of the late Sir Richard Wallace, who himself nobly presented the adjoining acre of land as the site of the Rous Memorial Hospital and Almshouses; so it is easy to find. All are welcome to come and see how the youths are catered for, as well as the sick and maimed, and the necessitous old trainers, jockeys, and their near relatives.
The Bentinck and Rous Memorial funds supply the necessary amount of money to defray the small yearly pensions of the men, as well as the expenses of the hospital and buildings ; but, as the Institute has no fixed fund to draw from, I must appeal to my readers to help, by voluntary contributions, the inadequate yearly subscription list for the "Stablemen's Institute," and if those who have good luck only send a small percentage of their winnings to Messrs. Hammond's Bank at Newmarket, it will be gratefully acknowledged, and I can vouch for its being well laid out for the benefit of those who, though exposed to sundry and manifold temptations, yet as a body are hard to beat as a trustworthy and hard working set of lads".

Just before his death he published some entertaining reminiscences under the title of "Fifty Years of My Life" from which the several passages are reproduced in italics in this article.

Sir John Astley

1907 postcard from the Roger Newman collection............................................photo from Peter Norman

Sir John laid the foundation stone on 13th February 1893 and incredibly the Institute was opened by HRH The Prince of Wales on Tuesday 11th July 1893. Built on the corner of Lisburn Road with Vicarage Road and designed to provide recreational facilities for the stable staff, it was originally alcohol free. Funding was always needed and one attempt to raise funds by means of a smoking evening was cancelled due to the death of Sir John. Moves were made in October 1894 to set up an endowment fund as a memorial to Sir John Astley, and that the Institute be named the Astley Institute in his memory. The premises were quite spacious, such that provision was made during World War I to install 100 beds if the existing war hospitals became full. There was seemingly no call for this however. For some time during the Great War the Institute was closed, but re-opened in April 1920. According to the memorial plaque still displayed in the Racing Centre, twenty seven members lost their lives in the Great War. There is apparently no similar record from World War Two. Amongst the many events organised by the Institute was the annual Stable Staff Sports Day, usually held at the Cricket Field Ground on Whit Monday

What is less well known is that the Astley Club had competitors in the past. Since neither was a licenced premises, it is beyond the scope of this site for now. The Racing Mission, located in the yard off Park Lane (almost opposite Park Avenue was was more religiosly minded and then there was the Catholic Stablelads Club by the old Catholic Church when it was next door to the Prince of Wales. That was of course religiously inspired but like the Mission, provided somewhere safe for stable staff to enjoy some leisure hours and perhaps add to their education. The Catholic Club was opened on 15th July 1935. When it cesed is not yet known, probably when the Church was re-located. In March 1974 new premises were opened in Fred Archer Way, and the name was changed to the New Astley Club. Until 1977 no one under the age of 18 years was allowed in the bar,but the magistrates permitted that rule to be deleted The result of this High Court decision has yet to be found, but the following appeared in the Newmarket Journal. Lady Wallace died on 16th February 1897. Her estate was left to Sir John Edward Arthur Murray Scott (died 1912), her Secretary and Advisor, and Frederick Lucas Capron (apparently died 1898). In May 1993 over thirty trainers pledged to pay £5 for every winner they trained that season, also many jockeys agreed to pay £2 for every winner they rode to the New Astley Club Centenary Appeal. H.M. The Queen visited the club on Monday 25th April 1994, celebrating the centenary of the Insitute The centenary of the opening of the Astley Institute had taken place the previous year. In 1995 the property of the Racing Stables Mission Fund ( at one time based in Park Lane) was transferred to the New Astley Club. On 15th September 2014, three times champion jockey Ryan Moore opened the re-named Racing Centre. The Astley connection is retained by naming the bar, the Astley Bar click here to go to the Racing Centre's own website KNOWN LICENSING HISTORY Year Licensee Owner source 1883 Opening alcohol free 1917 Alfred William Hawkins (Secretary) 1995 Jul 10 Joan Wallwork (Secretary) New Astley Bar Ltd Companies House 2012 Apr 27 Matthew Mancini(Secretary) - Companies House 2014 Aug 7 became Racing Centre - Companies House 2015 May 15 M.Mancini ceased to be Secretary - Companies House 2018 Jul 2 Miss Deborah Lee Grey (Secretary) - Companies House 2018 Aug 14 Mrs Helen Sarah McGaffin (Premises Supervisor) - Licensing Register New Astley Club 1974 New Astley Club 1990's -courtesy Ron Wallwork 2023

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