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Fred Pike
Fred Pike
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Frederick Pike was apprenticed to Tom Wadlow and initially rode on the Flat before turning to the jumps. He made a good start in his first full year as a National Hunt jockey with eight wins in 1910. He added five more over the next two years before leaving to continue his career in Ireland.
Frederick Pike was apprenticed to Tom Wadlow and initially rode on the Flat before turning to the jumps. He made a good start in his first full year as a National Hunt jockey with eight wins in 1910. He added five more over the next two years before leaving to continue his career in Ireland.
Born in 1888, his first ride, Gun Barrel, finished sixth of nine runners in the Selling Handicap Hurdle at Worcester on October 29, 1909, the only jumps race on an otherwise all Flat card.
Born in 1888, his first ride, Gun Barrel, finished sixth of nine runners in the Selling Handicap Hurdle at Worcester on October 29, 1909, the only jumps race on an otherwise all Flat card.
It was not until Easter Monday, March 28, 1910 that he opened his account when Virginius won the Portsea Selling Handicap Hurdle at Portsmouth Park, scoring by a length. He had only ridden one more winner before October but then things began to improve with six wins in as many weeks, including four on the selling hurdler Cyrus and a double at Newport.
It was not until Easter Monday, March 28, 1910 that he opened his account when Virginius won the Portsea Selling Handicap Hurdle at Portsmouth Park, scoring by a length. He had only ridden one more winner before October but then things began to improve with six wins in as many weeks, including four on the selling hurdler Cyrus and a double at Newport.
Sadly, a major breakthrough did not happen. He won three times on the hurdler L.O. and had his final win in England on May 15, 1912, when steering the 10-year-old Amersham to a 15-length victory in the Prestbury Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham. He bowed out of British racing on February 26, 1913, when Self Defence refused in the Weir Maiden Chase at Windsor.
Sadly, a major breakthrough did not happen. He won three times on the hurdler L.O. and had his final win in England on May 15, 1912, when steering the 10-year-old Amersham to a 15-length victory in the Prestbury Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham. He bowed out of British racing on February 26, 1913, when Self Defence refused in the Weir Maiden Chase at Windsor.
However, that was not the end of the story, for less than three months later he rode his first winner in Ireland when Solid Oak obliged in the Masonbrook Plate, a steeplechase, at Loughrea, on May 17, 1913.
However, that was not the end of the story, for less than three months later he rode his first winner in Ireland when Solid Oak obliged in the Masonbrook Plate, a steeplechase, at Loughrea, on May 17, 1913.
Over the next four years he rode at least 22 winners, including 12 in 1914. He also finished third on Micmac in the 1915 Irish Grand National.
Over the next four years he rode at least 22 winners, including 12 in 1914. He also finished third on Micmac in the 1915 Irish Grand National.
Fred’s last win was at Leopardstown on June 9, 1916, when Tumbril beat 18 rivals to claim the Bray Plate, a selling handicap hurdle. In 1919 he went to India and began training there.
Fred’s last win was at Leopardstown on June 9, 1916, when Tumbril beat 18 rivals to claim the Bray Plate, a selling handicap hurdle. In 1919 he went to India and began training there.
Fred Pike’s British winners were, in chronological order.
Fred Pike’s British winners were, in chronological order.
1. Virginius, Portsmouth Park, March 28, 1910
1. Virginius, Portsmouth Park, March 28, 1910
2. Pooklet, Birmingham, April 13, 1910
2. Pooklet, Birmingham, April 13, 1910
3. Cyrus, Pershore, October 3, 1910
3. Cyrus, Pershore, October 3, 1910
4. Cyrus, Uttoxeter, October 18, 1910
4. Cyrus, Uttoxeter, October 18, 1910
5. Sungauge, Colwall Park, November 7, 1910
5. Sungauge, Colwall Park, November 7, 1910
6. Cyrus, Wye, November 8, 1910
6. Cyrus, Wye, November 8, 1910
7. Cyrus, Newport, November 11, 1910
7. Cyrus, Newport, November 11, 1910
8. Tyrconnel, Newport, November 11, 1910
8. Tyrconnel, Newport, November 11, 1910
9. Chitana, Ipswich, March 29, 1911
9. Chitana, Ipswich, March 29, 1911
10., L.O., Wye, October 2, 1911
10., L.O., Wye, October 2, 1911
11. L.O., Portsmouth Park, April 8, 1912
11. L.O., Portsmouth Park, April 8, 1912
12. L.O., Hambledon Hunt, May 2, 1912
12. L.O., Hambledon Hunt, May 2, 1912
13. Amersham, Cheltenham, May 15, 1912
13. Amersham, Cheltenham, May 15, 1912
Additional information sourced from ‘A Biographical Dictionary of Racehorse Trainers in Berkshire 1850-1939’ by David Boyd, published in 1998.
Additional information sourced from ‘A Biographical Dictionary of Racehorse Trainers in Berkshire 1850-1939’ by David Boyd, published in 1998.
Fred Pike's Newport double
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