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Fred Fitton Jr
Fred Fitton Jr
1893-1974
1893-1974
Born on March 23, 1893, National Hunt jockey Frederick Fitton Jr was the son of former jockey Fred Fitton (c1866-1934) and the nephew of Lewes trainer Thomas Fitton. He rode a total of 48 winners over jumps.
Born on March 23, 1893, National Hunt jockey Frederick Fitton Jr was the son of former jockey Fred Fitton (c1866-1934) and the nephew of Lewes trainer Thomas Fitton. He rode a total of 48 winners over jumps.
Before turning to jumps, Fred had 28 winners on the Flat between 1909 and 1912. He was apprenticed to his father and had his first ride when Custom House was unplaced in the Beacon Selling Handicap at Lewes on April 10, 1908.
Before turning to jumps, Fred had 28 winners on the Flat between 1909 and 1912. He was apprenticed to his father and had his first ride when Custom House was unplaced in the Beacon Selling Handicap at Lewes on April 10, 1908.
His career began to progress in 1909, starting with a hard-fought victory in the Ashdown Selling Handicap at Gatwick on May 14 when his mount Easton Roya beat Kissing Crust, ridden by Fred Templeman, by a head. There were seven winners altogether that year, and even better was to come in 1910 with a score of 14.
His career began to progress in 1909, starting with a hard-fought victory in the Ashdown Selling Handicap at Gatwick on May 14 when his mount Easton Roya beat Kissing Crust, ridden by Fred Templeman, by a head. There were seven winners altogether that year, and even better was to come in 1910 with a score of 14.
He managed six wins in 1911, including the only Flat double of his career when Loot and Hackler’s Girl scored at Harpenden on May 4. His final pre-war Flat success was on Oblizon in the Selling Nursery Handicap at Lewes on September 2, 1912, his only win that year.
He managed six wins in 1911, including the only Flat double of his career when Loot and Hackler’s Girl scored at Harpenden on May 4. His final pre-war Flat success was on Oblizon in the Selling Nursery Handicap at Lewes on September 2, 1912, his only win that year.
Turning to riding over jumps, he made the perfect start to his National Hunt career, winning on his first ride, the evens favourite Comment, in the three-runner Brampton Maiden Hurdle at Huntingdon on Easter Monday, March 24, 1913.
Turning to riding over jumps, he made the perfect start to his National Hunt career, winning on his first ride, the evens favourite Comment, in the three-runner Brampton Maiden Hurdle at Huntingdon on Easter Monday, March 24, 1913.
Having not ridden on the Flat for more than six years while he established himself as a jump jockey, he returned to that sphere in 1919 and had his first success when Eston Jetty won the Dee Stand Welter Handicap at Chester on May 14. There were four more winners that season, concluding with two successes at Folkestone when Saintly Maude walked over on September 5 for the Castle Selling Plate, and then beat three rivals the following day to win the Sandling Selling Plate.
Having not ridden on the Flat for more than six years while he established himself as a jump jockey, he returned to that sphere in 1919 and had his first success when Eston Jetty won the Dee Stand Welter Handicap at Chester on May 14. There were four more winners that season, concluding with two successes at Folkestone when Saintly Maude walked over on September 5 for the Castle Selling Plate, and then beat three rivals the following day to win the Sandling Selling Plate.
Fred took the occasional ride on the Flat for the next three years but there were no more winners. His career on the Flat ended when Altholhampton finished unplaced in the Town Selling Plate at Brighton on May 24, 1922.
Fred took the occasional ride on the Flat for the next three years but there were no more winners. His career on the Flat ended when Altholhampton finished unplaced in the Town Selling Plate at Brighton on May 24, 1922.
Meanwhile, he enjoyed a fair measure of success over jumps during the inter-war period. He registered a double at Plumpton on December 10, 1923 aboard selling chaser Irish Cheer and selling hurdler Panthias, both of whom were trained by his uncle.
Meanwhile, he enjoyed a fair measure of success over jumps during the inter-war period. He registered a double at Plumpton on December 10, 1923 aboard selling chaser Irish Cheer and selling hurdler Panthias, both of whom were trained by his uncle.
He achieved his best annual score in 1924 with 15 wins, the last of which was gained on Loyal Scot, the evens favourite, in the Tredegar Three-Year-Old Optional Selling Hurdle at Newport on November 5, 1924.
He achieved his best annual score in 1924 with 15 wins, the last of which was gained on Loyal Scot, the evens favourite, in the Tredegar Three-Year-Old Optional Selling Hurdle at Newport on November 5, 1924.
Surprisingly, having had his most successful year in 1924, he never rode another winner after that Newport victory on Loyal Scot. He finished unplaced on what proved to be his final ride, aboard Seacraft in a selling hurdle at Wye on March 16, 1925. Whether it was an injury that finished his career is hard to say but it does not appear to have been in a race fall.
Surprisingly, having had his most successful year in 1924, he never rode another winner after that Newport victory on Loyal Scot. He finished unplaced on what proved to be his final ride, aboard Seacraft in a selling hurdle at Wye on March 16, 1925. Whether it was an injury that finished his career is hard to say but it does not appear to have been in a race fall.
Fred Fitton Jr died in 1974, aged 81.
Fred Fitton Jr died in 1974, aged 81.
Additional information on Fred Fitton Jr’s Flat career provided by Alan Trout.
Additional information on Fred Fitton Jr’s Flat career provided by Alan Trout.
Fred Fitton's first winner. Gatwick May 14 1909
Fred Fitton's first winner. Gatwick May 14 1909
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