By the 1840s, Flatman was firmly established as the top rider of his generation.
 Prominent jockeys of earlier times such as Arthur Pavis, Patrick Conolly and John Chapple were no longer around to compete, the former two having met with early deaths.

His profile was such that he began to be in demand at northern racecourses like Manchester and Newcastle, riding for Malton-based trainer John Scott.
 In a manner more akin to his modern day counterparts than some of his contemporaries, he would regularly travel up and down the country to take rides.
 On one occasion in 1840 he won the Chester Cup one day and rode at Newmarket next, a remarkable logistical achievement given the transportation of the time.
 This strategy bore fruit in the number of winners he was riding.
 In 1840, he rode 50 winners; in the period 1846-1848 he was creating new records year-on-year, peaking at 104 wins in 1848, the sport's first century of winners.

He missed a possible winning chance in the 1841 Derby when he was knocked off Alarm amongst a scuffle at the starting post.
 Then, in 1844, he was involved in one of the most controversial races in turf history.
 In the Derby of that year, he was beaten by Running Rein, on his mount Orlando.
 Subsequently, Running Rein was found to be a ringer and Orlando was awarded the race by stewards.
 By the end of the decade, he had also added a second 1,000 Guineas (Clementina in 1847), 2,000 Guineas (Idas in 1845) and a St. Leger (Surplice in 1848).

The first seasonal record of jockeys' winners was published in 1846 and from that first publication until 1852, Flatman was always at the top of the list.
 Records for the years before that show he also accumulated the most wins in the period from 1840–45, equating to 13 jockeys' championships.
By the 1840s, Flatman was firmly established as the top rider of his generation.  Prominent jockeys of earlier times such as Arthur Pavis, Patrick Conolly and John Chapple were no longer around to compete, the former two having met with early deaths. 
His profile was such that he began to be in demand at northern racecourses like Manchester and Newcastle, riding for Malton-based trainer John Scott.  In a manner more akin to his modern day counterparts than some of his contemporaries, he would regularly travel up and down the country to take rides.  On one occasion in 1840 he won the Chester Cup one day and rode at Newmarket next, a remarkable logistical achievement given the transportation of the time.  This strategy bore fruit in the number of winners he was riding.  In 1840, he rode 50 winners; in the period 1846-1848 he was creating new records year-on-year, peaking at 104 wins in 1848, the sport's first century of winners.
He missed a possible winning chance in the 1841 Derby when he was knocked off Alarm amongst a scuffle at the starting post.  Then, in 1844, he was involved in one of the most controversial races in turf history.  In the Derby of that year, he was beaten by Running Rein, on his mount Orlando.  Subsequently, Running Rein was found to be a ringer and Orlando was awarded the race by stewards.  By the end of the decade, he had also added a second 1,000 Guineas (Clementina in 1847), 2,000 Guineas (Idas in 1845) and a St. Leger (Surplice in 1848).
The first seasonal record of jockeys' winners was published in 1846 and from that first publication until 1852, Flatman was always at the top of the list.  Records for the years before that show he also accumulated the most wins in the period from 1840–45, equating to 13 jockeys' championships.
Nat Flatman