Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Waugh, James
WAUGH, JAMES (1831–1905), trainer of racehorses, born at Jedburgh on 13 Dec. 1831, was son of Richard Waugh, a farmer there. Brought up on his father's farm, he became in 1851 private trainer of steeplechasers at Cessford Moor to a banker named Grainger. He frequently rode the horses in races. In 1855 he went to Jedburgh to train for Sir David Baird and Sir J. Boswell, and four years later succeeded Matthew Dawson in the training establishment at Gullane. Thence he soon removed to Ilsley, in Berkshire, where he became private trainer to Mr. Robinson, an Australian, for whom he won the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot with Gratitude. In 1866, on Robinson's retirement from the turf, Waugh succeeded Matthew Dawson at Russley, on the Berks-Wilts border, where he was a successful private trainer for James Merry. He saddled Marksman, who ran second to Hermit in the Derby of 1867; Belladrum, second to Pretender in the Two Thousand Guineas in 1869; and Macgregor, who, in 1870, won the Two Thousand Guineas.
At the close of the season of 1870 Waugh left Russley for Kentford, Newmarket, whence he soon migrated to Naclo, on the Polish frontier, to train for Count Henckel. After two years at Naclo he spent seven years at Carlburg, in Hungary, where he trained winners of every big race in Austria-Hungary. In some of the events successes were scored several times. His horses also won many important prizes in Germany. Returning to Newmarket in 1880, he settled first at Middleton Cottage and then at Meynell House for the rest of his life. Several continental owners sent horses to be trained by him, among them Prince Tassilo Festetics, for whom he won the Grand Prize at Baden Baden, the German Derby, and other important races. From 1885 to 1890 he took charge of Mr. John Hammond's horses, including St. Gatien, who in 1884 dead-heated with Harvester in the Derby, and won the Cesarewitch, carrying 8st. 10lb., and Florence, winner of the Cambridgeshire (1884). For Mr. Hammond, Waugh won the Ascot Cup in 1885 with St. Gatien, the Ascot Stakes with Eurasian in 1887, and the Cambridgeshire with Laureate in 1889. Other patrons were the Chevalier Scheibler, Count Lehndorff, Count Kinsky, and Messrs. A. B. Carr, Deacon, J. S. Baird-Hay, Sir R. W. Jardine, Dobell, James Russel, D. J. Jardine, and Inglis, and Miss Graham. He trained The Rush to win the Chester Cup in 1896, and the Ascot Gold Vase in 1898; Piety the Manchester Cup in 1897; and Refractor the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot in 1899.
A skilful and conscientious trainer, Waugh achieved some success as a breeder of race horses, and when at Newmarket bought and sold thoroughbreds for continental patrons and foreign governments. He was an excellent judge of a horse. In all his dealings he was the soul of honour. He was noted for his geniality and hospitality, and took an interest in cross-country sport.
He died at Newmarket, after some years of failing health, on 23 Oct. 1905, and was buried in the cemetery there. He married in 1854 Isabella (d. 1881), daughter of William Scott of Tomshielhaugh, Southdean. Of his large family, six sons adopted the father's calling.
[Notes supplied by Waugh's daughter, Janet, wife of Joseph Butters, the trainer; Sportsman, 24 Oct. 1905; From Gladiateur to Persimmon (H. Sydenham Dixon), p. 47; Ruff's Guide to the Turf.]