Fred Parker
Fred's first winner; Dean Swift, Chepstow, March 21, 1898.
Fred's first winner; Dean Swift, Chepstow, March 21, 1898.
Born in Cardiff, Frederick John Parker rode 61 winners over jumps between 1898 and 1909. He also rode a winner on the one and only day’s racing under National Hunt rules at Dawlish.
Born in Cardiff, Frederick John Parker rode 61 winners over jumps between 1898 and 1909. He also rode a winner on the one and only day’s racing under National Hunt rules at Dawlish.
Fred had his first ride in public on a horse named Felpham in the February Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield Park on February 2, 1897, finishing unplaced. Just over a year elapsed before he rode his first winner, Dean Swift in the St Pierre Selling Chase at Chepstow on March 21, 1898.
Fred had his first ride in public on a horse named Felpham in the February Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield Park on February 2, 1897, finishing unplaced. Just over a year elapsed before he rode his first winner, Dean Swift in the St Pierre Selling Chase at Chepstow on March 21, 1898.
On September 20, 1900, the Devon seaside town of Dawlish celebrated the arrival of the 20th century with its inaugural National Hunt meeting. Though racing had taken place at Dawlish before, this was the first officially recognised fixture held there.
On September 20, 1900, the Devon seaside town of Dawlish celebrated the arrival of the 20th century with its inaugural National Hunt meeting. Though racing had taken place at Dawlish before, this was the first officially recognised fixture held there.
That night’s Exeter Evening Post waxed lyrical about the meeting, noting that it had taken place “in delightfully fine weather”. It continued: “This is the first time that these races have been held under these (National Hunt) Rules and it is hoped that the inauguration, at once received with abundant pleasure by the real sportsmen, will meet with every success.”
That night’s Exeter Evening Post waxed lyrical about the meeting, noting that it had taken place “in delightfully fine weather”. It continued: “This is the first time that these races have been held under these (National Hunt) Rules and it is hoped that the inauguration, at once received with abundant pleasure by the real sportsmen, will meet with every success.”
Although 33 horses had been entered for the five-race card, only 14 faced the starter, resulting in three matches and two four-horse races, hardly an auspicious start. The first race, the South Devon Hurdle, attracted only two runners but produced a stirring finish which ended in a dead-heat, after the two rivals had raced neck and neck along the straight. At the winning post the judge could not separate Fred Parker on Chrism and leading amateur rider Walter Bulteel on Tenebrosa. The stakes were divided.
Although 33 horses had been entered for the five-race card, only 14 faced the starter, resulting in three matches and two four-horse races, hardly an auspicious start. The first race, the South Devon Hurdle, attracted only two runners but produced a stirring finish which ended in a dead-heat, after the two rivals had raced neck and neck along the straight. At the winning post the judge could not separate Fred Parker on Chrism and leading amateur rider Walter Bulteel on Tenebrosa. The stakes were divided.
Mr Bulteel went on to win the last race on the card on Sailaway, who beat his sole rival by three lengths in the three-mile Stewards’ Steeplechase.
Mr Bulteel went on to win the last race on the card on Sailaway, who beat his sole rival by three lengths in the three-mile Stewards’ Steeplechase.
The following day’s Exeter Evening Post reported further on the races, observing that “some excitement was caused by the arrest of a pair of illegal card sharpers.”
The following day’s Exeter Evening Post reported further on the races, observing that “some excitement was caused by the arrest of a pair of illegal card sharpers.”
Despite the apparent enthusiasm with which the event was received, and perhaps because of the unsavoury elements attracted to the town, the venture was not repeated and Dawlish races disappeared from the National Hunt fixture after just one official meeting.
Despite the apparent enthusiasm with which the event was received, and perhaps because of the unsavoury elements attracted to the town, the venture was not repeated and Dawlish races disappeared from the National Hunt fixture after just one official meeting.
Fred enjoyed his most successful year in 1903 with 17 winners, three of which were gained on the chaser Gardaloo, at Hereford on Easter Monday and at Cheltenham in April and again in October. He also rode a double at that year’s Glamorgan Hunt meeting at Cowbridge on April 28, winning the Cowbridge Selling Hurdle on Felstead and the Penllyn Open Chase on Caviar.
Fred enjoyed his most successful year in 1903 with 17 winners, three of which were gained on the chaser Gardaloo, at Hereford on Easter Monday and at Cheltenham in April and again in October. He also rode a double at that year’s Glamorgan Hunt meeting at Cowbridge on April 28, winning the Cowbridge Selling Hurdle on Felstead and the Penllyn Open Chase on Caviar.
Fred was a good man to follow at the annual Cowbridge Steeplechases fixtures, notching ten winners there during his career. He won the Glamorgan Hunt Cup three times, on Amulet in 1904, Domb Nut in 1905, and Bella III in 1907.
Fred was a good man to follow at the annual Cowbridge Steeplechases fixtures, notching ten winners there during his career. He won the Glamorgan Hunt Cup three times, on Amulet in 1904, Domb Nut in 1905, and Bella III in 1907.
He came close to winning the 1906 Welsh Grand National, finishing second, beaten three lengths, on Chilumchee, trained by the Hon. Aubrey Hastings. Only four ran that year and Chilumchee was sent off the 10-1 rank outsider of the quartet. The winner, Shoeblack, had virtually refused to race initially, giving the other runners “a field’s length start” before consenting to take part, but thereafter he chased his rivals with such gusto that he had caught them up by the second circuit, although he never looked like winning until the closing stages. To win a Welsh Grand National at his home course, Cardiff, would have been a dish of rare savour for Fred Parker. Alas, it was not to be.
He came close to winning the 1906 Welsh Grand National, finishing second, beaten three lengths, on Chilumchee, trained by the Hon. Aubrey Hastings. Only four ran that year and Chilumchee was sent off the 10-1 rank outsider of the quartet. The winner, Shoeblack, had virtually refused to race initially, giving the other runners “a field’s length start” before consenting to take part, but thereafter he chased his rivals with such gusto that he had caught them up by the second circuit, although he never looked like winning until the closing stages. To win a Welsh Grand National at his home course, Cardiff, would have been a dish of rare savour for Fred Parker. Alas, it was not to be.
He rode his last winner at Newport on November 12, 1909, guiding 6-1 chance Apex to a 30-length success in the Newport Open Hunters’ Hurdle. He had his final mount at Cardiff on Easter Monday, March 28, 1910, finishing unplaced on Mataline in the Windsor Selling Hurdle.
He rode his last winner at Newport on November 12, 1909, guiding 6-1 chance Apex to a 30-length success in the Newport Open Hunters’ Hurdle. He had his final mount at Cardiff on Easter Monday, March 28, 1910, finishing unplaced on Mataline in the Windsor Selling Hurdle.