Snowy Fawdon

1911 - 2002

Richard Fawdon, forever known as 'Snowy', was the son of a shipyard worker and the nephew of a South African trainer.

Born in Stockton 0n 17 July 1911, he became apprenticed to Fred Archer (nephew of the 19th-century jockey) at Newmarket and, aged 16, rode his first winner, Haputale, at Yarmouth on September 15, 1927, in the Sandringham Maiden Apprentice Plate.

His first ride in public was in the 5.00 at Newmarket on April 6, 1927, when he partnered Mr C. Schwartz's Viba in the Apprentice Handicap Plate.

In 1928, following Archer's death, Snowy's indentures were transferred to Harvey Leader. In 1932 he joined his Uncle Alf in South Africa and rode in that country, Denmark and India for several years.

Returning to England, he found it difficult to re-establish himself, so rode under Pony Turf Rules at Northolt Park until after the war when his career took off in earnest.

He achieved his most notable success on the Marcus Marsh-trained Norooz in the 1953 Ebor Handicap.

Other good horses he rode were Daniken, Oleandrin, True Cavalier (Craven Stakes and Lingfield Derby Trial) and Father Thames (Great Metropolitan).

Snowy, aged 48, had his best season in 1959 when riding 34 winners.

He rode for the last time on Saturday, June 28, 1969, partnering Henry Cecil's Mon Oncle at Newmarket, the course where he had had his first ride as a teenager.

He died aged 90, and, following a funeral on June 24 at St Agnes Church, Bury Road, Newmarket, was privately cremated.

Big winners

1952: City of Birmingham Cup – Norooz

1953: Great Metropolitan Handicap – Father Thames

1953: Ebor Handicap – Norooz

1955: Craven Stakes – True Cavalier

1955: Lingfield Derby Trial – True Cavalier

1958: Warwickshire Breeders’ Foal Plate – Marsh Meadow

1960: Royal Stakes – Marengo