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| Fred Archer |
The British Empire was being rocked to its very foundations when the Indian Mutiny erupted in 1857. But in that year, back at home in Cheltenham a boy was born. He was the son of the Grand National Winner William Archer. He was “quick and retentive”, was named Frederick, and was to become one of the most celebrated all-round jockeys in the history of racing.
Fred Archer entered his apprenticeship when he was eleven years old and began winning a remarkable series of important races soon afterwards. Some of these were the Champion Stakes, Epson Oaks, St Leger, Prix du Jockey Club; he had 2748 career wins and was Champion Jockey for 13 years until 1886 when he committed suicide, aged 29.
The circumstances were very sad. Fred was unusually tall for his job and was on a constant weight loss diet. In addition, in spite of his success he suffered from depression and was finally pushed over the edge when his young wife died in childbirth. The combination of physical strain through constant dieting and the emotional stress from his loss resulted in him shooting himself.
But before this personal tragedy he was involved in building his own large stable complex in Newmarket which was called Falmouth Lodge out of deference to his main sponsor. This has now become the Pegasus Stables and is where Fred and his favourite grey mare called Scotch Pearl still return to. The two of them have been seen by many people in recent times riding in and around the local area.
So next time you go to the races, especially on the flat, just spare a thought for one of history’s most famous jockeys.
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