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Fred ArcherEnglish jockey who competed in straight horse racing
Date of Birth: 11.01.1857
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
Biography of Fred Archer
Fred Archer was an English jockey who competed in hurdles racing. He was the most successful professional racehorse rider during the Victorian era. The National Horseracing Museum named Archer the "greatest jockey of all types of races to ever grace the racecourse". However, his dominance was threatened when Steve Donoghue and Sir Gordon Richards emerged in the sport.
Early Life and Career
Frederick James "Fred" Archer was born on January 11, 1857, in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. At the age of 11, he became an apprentice to horse trainer Mathew Dawson. From 1874 to 1886, Archer assisted Dawson in the stable and won his first race over hurdles at the age of 12 in the small village of Bangor-on-Dee. Eventually, he became related to Dawson by marrying his niece, Helen Rose Dawson. Archer was known for his dedication to the sport and was notorious for his toughness. In 1882, he built stables now known as Pegasus Stables.
Champion Jockey
Archer held the title of champion jockey for 13 years, setting a record of 246 wins by 1885. This record stood until it was broken by Gordon Richards in the 1933 season. He also won the Epsom Derby, one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world, five times and a total of 21 classic races. However, due to his tall stature of 1.78 meters, he had to pay more attention to his diet than other riders. This took a toll on his health, and Archer fell into depression after the death of his wife, Helen Rose. Ultimately, at the age of 29, the jockey took his own life by shooting himself.
The Legend of Pegasus Stables
After Archer's death, numerous accounts emerged from witnesses claiming to have seen Archer riding a white ghostly horse at Pegasus Stables. These sightings added to the mystique surrounding Archer's legacy and the infamous stables that he had built.
