The Sporting Chronicle, often referred to as 'The Chron', was established in 1871 by newspaper proprietor Edward Hulton (d.1904). The Manchester-based paper appeared daily and featured national coverage of horse racing. The Racing Chronicle pioneered the use of tipsters, including Hulton himself under the pseudonym 'Kettledrum'. Hulton established Athletic News and The Sunday Chronicle, which ultimately merged with the Racing Chronicle in 1931.

Hulton was succeeded by his son, Sir Edward Hulton (1869-1925), also a successful newspaper proprietor whose other titles included The Daily Sketch. Under Hulton junior circulation reached a peak of 120,000, enjoying particular popularity in the North of England, and offering fierce competition to the Southern-based Sporting Life.

Ill-health forced Sir Edward Hulton to retire and sell up in 1923. Lord Beaverbrook initially bought Hulton's newspapers, before swiftly selling them in 1924 to Lord Rothermere's Allied Newspapers.