Martin Fry
Martin James Fry, of 27 Grange Avenue, Auckland Park, Bishop Auckland, was born on March 7, 1960, and began his racing career as an apprentice jockey with Captain Ryan Jarvis. He then rode for Brian Swift, Ben Beasley, Bill Stubbs and Denys Smith before turning freelance.
Martin James Fry, of 27 Grange Avenue, Auckland Park, Bishop Auckland, was born on March 7, 1960, and began his racing career as an apprentice jockey with Captain Ryan Jarvis. He then rode for Brian Swift, Ben Beasley, Bill Stubbs and Denys Smith before turning freelance.
His first winner was Chapeau Vert, trained by Toby Balding, at Wolverhampton on August 12, 1978. His best season was 1983 when he rode 31 winners.
His first winner was Chapeau Vert, trained by Toby Balding, at Wolverhampton on August 12, 1978. His best season was 1983 when he rode 31 winners.
He recorded his most important successes on Relatively Sharp in the 1984 Gosforth Park Cup and Try To Stop Me in the 1985 Thirsk Hunt Cup.
He recorded his most important successes on Relatively Sharp in the 1984 Gosforth Park Cup and Try To Stop Me in the 1985 Thirsk Hunt Cup.
He was often in trouble with the stewards for his excessive use of the whip and was suspended on a couple of occasions because of it.
He was often in trouble with the stewards for his excessive use of the whip and was suspended on a couple of occasions because of it.
In September 1983, Martin was put out of action after breaking a bone in his right foot at Edinburgh. He suffered a similar accident at Wolverhampton in June 1988 when his mount, Captain's Bid, collided with the aluminium running rail when leaving the paddock. Martin sustained a fractured ankle and, later, became one of the first jockeys to appeal for plastic rails.
In September 1983, Martin was put out of action after breaking a bone in his right foot at Edinburgh. He suffered a similar accident at Wolverhampton in June 1988 when his mount, Captain's Bid, collided with the aluminium running rail when leaving the paddock. Martin sustained a fractured ankle and, later, became one of the first jockeys to appeal for plastic rails.
He said at the time: “I’m going to have a word with John Lowe, our safety officer in the north, to try and prevent this happening to any other jockey.”
He said at the time: “I’m going to have a word with John Lowe, our safety officer in the north, to try and prevent this happening to any other jockey.”
He rode what was to be his last winner on London Standard in a Lingfield all-weather handicap on March 10, 1990. After a 14-year career, Martin was forced to give up riding in May 1990 when he began suffering from spondylitis, a spinal disease. He received no insurance money as doctors said that the condition was unrelated to his riding career.
He rode what was to be his last winner on London Standard in a Lingfield all-weather handicap on March 10, 1990. After a 14-year career, Martin was forced to give up riding in May 1990 when he began suffering from spondylitis, a spinal disease. He received no insurance money as doctors said that the condition was unrelated to his riding career.
His fellow northern jockeys immediately began holding fundraising events to help. A major dance, raffle and auction were held on the Friday evening of the Doncaster St Leger meeting at the racecourse.
His fellow northern jockeys immediately began holding fundraising events to help. A major dance, raffle and auction were held on the Friday evening of the Doncaster St Leger meeting at the racecourse.
With four children to support, Martin was grateful for the assistance of his weighing room colleagues. He was married on March 16, 1985, to Vivianne Rose.
With four children to support, Martin was grateful for the assistance of his weighing room colleagues. He was married on March 16, 1985, to Vivianne Rose.