Memnon, a bay racehorse with William Scott up in the colours of Richard Watt, on Doncaster racecourse

Memnon, a bay colt, by Whisker out of Manuella by Dick Andrews, was bred by Richard Watt of Bishop Burton, near Beverley, Yorkshire in 1822. In 1824 he won the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster and in 1825 the St. Legers at York and Doncaster. The 1825 St. Leger brought out a record field of thirty horses and due to popular interest the result was the first ever to be carried by pigeon. While a bird took the message to London, specially trained dogs conveyed it to Manchester. About two months before the St. Leger Watt was offered 4,000 guineas for Memnon. The offer was declined, the owner observing that until after the St. Leger Memnon was the property of the public and that no amount of money would purchase him till after the race was run. In 1825 Memnon was sold to Lord Darlington for £3,500 for whom he beat Lord Exeter's Enamel in a match for 1,000 guineas at Newmarket, and also won the Ascot Gold Cup with Sam Chifney up, before being retired to stud.

William Scott was one of the foremost jockeys of his generation. He won the St. Leger nine times, which included a run of four wins from 1838 to 1841. He also won the Derby four times, and the Oaks on three occasions.