Jenison Shafto (c. 1728 – 13 May 1771), of West Wratting Park, Cambridgeshire, was an English politician, race-horse owner, and gambler.
His only recorded speech in the House of Commons was made on 18 March 1762, proposing the militia be sent to serve abroad, during the Seven Years' War, reputedly done to win a wager of £200 laid at his London club, Arthur's.
[1] As a horse owner, Shafto's thoroughbred racers included: Snap, which he bought in 1752 [2] and sold after it had won three 1000-guinea match races at Newmarket; Squirrel,[3] another successful racer which was retired for stud in 1760 and lived until 1780; and Goldfinder, sired by Snap, which won two Newmarket Challenge Cups and Whips before being sold to stud.
[1] He committed suicide, having shot himself, in May 1771, which many attributed to gambling losses on the turf and elsewhere[1] He had married on 24 November 1750 Margaret, daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Allen who was one of the main coal-owners of County Durham.
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