Ralph Fisher-Childe (Col.)
1854 - 1936
1854 - 1936
Born in 1854, Colonel Ralph Bromfield Willington Fisher-Childe served with the 10th Hussars, having joined as a sub-lieutenant in June 1874. He rode his first winners, on the Flat and over fences, when serving in India in 1877, including the prestigious Kadir Cup.
Born in 1854, Colonel Ralph Bromfield Willington Fisher-Childe served with the 10th Hussars, having joined as a sub-lieutenant in June 1874. He rode his first winners, on the Flat and over fences, when serving in India in 1877, including the prestigious Kadir Cup.
On returning with his regiment to England in April 882, Captain Fisher (as he was then) spent most of his leave time learning the art of race-riding with Arthur Yates on his private course at Bishops Sutton. His racing colours were Zingari (a shade of ruby red) with a black cap.
On returning with his regiment to England in April 882, Captain Fisher (as he was then) spent most of his leave time learning the art of race-riding with Arthur Yates on his private course at Bishops Sutton. His racing colours were Zingari (a shade of ruby red) with a black cap.
The best horse he owned was Roquefort, who finished third in the 1884 Grand National when ridden by a professional jockey. Captain Fisher was all set to tide him the following year but broke a leg while riding in a trial over fences at Bishop Sutton. As he could not take the mount, the horse was put up for sale and was knocked down to Arthur Cooper, in whose colours he went on to win the great race in the hands of Ted Wilson.
The best horse he owned was Roquefort, who finished third in the 1884 Grand National when ridden by a professional jockey. Captain Fisher was all set to tide him the following year but broke a leg while riding in a trial over fences at Bishop Sutton. As he could not take the mount, the horse was put up for sale and was knocked down to Arthur Cooper, in whose colours he went on to win the great race in the hands of Ted Wilson.
Captain Fisher achieved a measure of consolation when winning the 1887 Grand Military Gold Cup on his own horse Dalesman, beating eight rivals. In addition, he won the Irish Grand Military Chase on Downey, bred by Lord Downe.
Captain Fisher achieved a measure of consolation when winning the 1887 Grand Military Gold Cup on his own horse Dalesman, beating eight rivals. In addition, he won the Irish Grand Military Chase on Downey, bred by Lord Downe.
But for being unable to do the weight, he would have ridden his wife’s horse Skedaddle to win the 1893 Grand Steeplechase de Paris. Instead, fellow amateur rider Gerald Brooks Milne was the successful substitute.
But for being unable to do the weight, he would have ridden his wife’s horse Skedaddle to win the 1893 Grand Steeplechase de Paris. Instead, fellow amateur rider Gerald Brooks Milne was the successful substitute.
During his military career he served in most of the conflicts that involved his regiment’s active service, such as in Afghanistan from 1878-80 including the march from Kabul to Kandahar, and Waziristan in 1881. Having attained the rank of Colonel, he commanded the regiment from 1896 to 1900.
During his military career he served in most of the conflicts that involved his regiment’s active service, such as in Afghanistan from 1878-80 including the march from Kabul to Kandahar, and Waziristan in 1881. Having attained the rank of Colonel, he commanded the regiment from 1896 to 1900.
He continued to ride in races, winning steeplechases on Chancery at Liverpool, Manchester and Kempton. He won no less than 14 races on the hard-pulling Meerschaum, a fine jumper who only ever gave him one fall, that being at Sandown.
He continued to ride in races, winning steeplechases on Chancery at Liverpool, Manchester and Kempton. He won no less than 14 races on the hard-pulling Meerschaum, a fine jumper who only ever gave him one fall, that being at Sandown.
Colonel Fisher-Childe won the 10th Hussars Challenge Cup at Hawthorn Hill’s Household Brigade meeting four times on Slane, the last two when being in command of the regiment. Slane accompanied his owner to South Africa, carrying him through the Boer War, from which they both returned safely.
Colonel Fisher-Childe won the 10th Hussars Challenge Cup at Hawthorn Hill’s Household Brigade meeting four times on Slane, the last two when being in command of the regiment. Slane accompanied his owner to South Africa, carrying him through the Boer War, from which they both returned safely.
When the Boer War had broken out in 1899 Colonel Fisher-Childe was nearing the end of his command, but he led the regiment in the dash to Kimberley, the chasing of Cronje to the Modder, Poplar Grove, Driefontein, the march to Ladybrand and the disaster at Koorn Spruit.
When the Boer War had broken out in 1899 Colonel Fisher-Childe was nearing the end of his command, but he led the regiment in the dash to Kimberley, the chasing of Cronje to the Modder, Poplar Grove, Driefontein, the march to Ladybrand and the disaster at Koorn Spruit.
When he retired from military service in November 1900 he was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).
When he retired from military service in November 1900 he was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).
He suffered his share of falls during his years of riding in races, his injuries including both legs, both arms, both collarbones, several ribs, dislocated both shoulders and had seven instances of concussion. “And yet,” he observed on retiring from race-riding, “I loved the game as much as ever when old age made me give up.”
He suffered his share of falls during his years of riding in races, his injuries including both legs, both arms, both collarbones, several ribs, dislocated both shoulders and had seven instances of concussion. “And yet,” he observed on retiring from race-riding, “I loved the game as much as ever when old age made me give up.”
Colonel Fisher-Childe died in October 1936, aged 82.
Colonel Fisher-Childe died in October 1936, aged 82.