Fred Fearis
Fred Fearis
Fred Fearis
1878 -1904
1878 -1904
Article by Alan Trout and Chas Hammond
Article by Alan Trout and Chas Hammond
Frederick Fearis was born in Belgium on October 20, 1878. He was apprenticed to Robert Sherwood at Newmarket and had his first ride on Bellenetti, finishing unplaced in the Friary Selling Plate at Derby on September 3, 1895.
Frederick Fearis was born in Belgium on October 20, 1878. He was apprenticed to Robert Sherwood at Newmarket and had his first ride on Bellenetti, finishing unplaced in the Friary Selling Plate at Derby on September 3, 1895.
Two days later, Bellenetti provided Fred with his first win when scoring in Derby’s Quarndon Selling Nursery Handicap by a neck from The Weevil, ridden by Nat Robinson, who was at that time still seeking his first win (he would do so on The Weevil the following month).
Two days later, Bellenetti provided Fred with his first win when scoring in Derby’s Quarndon Selling Nursery Handicap by a neck from The Weevil, ridden by Nat Robinson, who was at that time still seeking his first win (he would do so on The Weevil the following month).
Fred rode seven more winners that season, then did even better in 1896 with 18, making a flying start to the year when riding Little Bob to win the Brocklesby Trial Stakes at Lincoln on March 24. His other major success that season was at Manchester on September 26 when Bellevin took the Prince Edward Handicap. He also finished second on Yorker in the Cambridgeshire, beaten three lengths by Winkfield’s Pride, ridden by the aforementioned Nat Robinson.
Fred rode seven more winners that season, then did even better in 1896 with 18, making a flying start to the year when riding Little Bob to win the Brocklesby Trial Stakes at Lincoln on March 24. His other major success that season was at Manchester on September 26 when Bellevin took the Prince Edward Handicap. He also finished second on Yorker in the Cambridgeshire, beaten three lengths by Winkfield’s Pride, ridden by the aforementioned Nat Robinson.
There were eight more wins for Fred in 1897, making 34 in all, the last one coming at Edinburgh on September 30, when Wolverine took the Sportsman Nursery Handicap. His final ride was on Chief Baron who finished unplaced in the Chaddesdon Stakes at Derby on November 20.
There were eight more wins for Fred in 1897, making 34 in all, the last one coming at Edinburgh on September 30, when Wolverine took the Sportsman Nursery Handicap. His final ride was on Chief Baron who finished unplaced in the Chaddesdon Stakes at Derby on November 20.
Although he was granted a licence for the 1898 season, he does not appear to have had any rides. As Fred did 7 stone 5 lbs on his last ride in 1897 it does not appear that he was defeated by weight problems.
Although he was granted a licence for the 1898 season, he does not appear to have had any rides. As Fred did 7 stone 5 lbs on his last ride in 1897 it does not appear that he was defeated by weight problems.
Indeed, it is far more likely that Fred Fearis rode abroad from thereon, as evidenced by the fact that he died in Warsaw, Poland in 1904.
Indeed, it is far more likely that Fred Fearis rode abroad from thereon, as evidenced by the fact that he died in Warsaw, Poland in 1904.
Taken from The People, Sunday, June 19, 1904
Taken from The People, Sunday, June 19, 1904
Taken from the Nottingham Evening Post, Tuesday, June 14, 1904
Taken from the Nottingham Evening Post, Tuesday, June 14, 1904
Fred's first win: Bellenetti at Derby, September 5 1895
Fred's first win: Bellenetti at Derby, September 5 1895
Fred wins the 1896 Brocklesby at Lincoln on Little Bob
Fred wins the 1896 Brocklesby at Lincoln on Little Bob
In this race, the favourite, Troon, collided with the rails, breaking his leg and spiking his chest with the broken timber. The horse died instantly and his jockey, Tommy Loates, rendered unconscious.
In this race, the favourite, Troon, collided with the rails, breaking his leg and spiking his chest with the broken timber. The horse died instantly and his jockey, Tommy Loates, rendered unconscious.
September 1895
September 1895