Herbert Packham

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Herbert Charles Packham, the son of taxi driver, was born in London on March 4, 1909, brought up in Shepherd's Bush. 

In 1925, he went to Epsom to serve his apprenticeship with Herbert Smyth and was still

associated with the stable long after the expiry of his indentures. 

He won the Rosebery Stakes and the City and Suburban on Mr Arthur Sainsbury's William of Valence.

In 1949 he won the Stewards' Cup on The Bite, for trainer Jim Wood and, in 1952, landed the Northumberland Plate on Souepi for joint-owners George Digby and Mohammed Bey Sultan.

His last victory came at Leicester in July 1958 on Lady Fay for boxing promoter Jack Solomons.

Bert Packham retired at the end of that season and was 76 when he died after a long illness on November 10, 1985.

He was remembered as a sound, reliable rider whose opinions of a horse's ability were widely respected by many leading trainers.

Big winners:

1937:  Rosebery Stakes - William Of Valence

1937: City and Suburban Handicap – William Of Valence 

1949: Stewards Cup – The Bite 

1952: Northumberland Plate – Souepi 

1953: Queen Elizabeth Cup – Peter-So-Gay