Thomas Fitton
1861 - 1954
1861 - 1954
Born circa 1861, National Hunt jockey Thomas Fitton rode a total of 256 winners over jumps in Britain between 1886 and 1908. His brother Frederick (c1866-1934) also became a jockey.
Born circa 1861, National Hunt jockey Thomas Fitton rode a total of 256 winners over jumps in Britain between 1886 and 1908. His brother Frederick (c1866-1934) also became a jockey.
Before graduating to riding over jumps, Tommy had been apprenticed to Charles Jousiffe and won the 1887 Brighton Stakes on Aby Klea.
Before graduating to riding over jumps, Tommy had been apprenticed to Charles Jousiffe and won the 1887 Brighton Stakes on Aby Klea.
Having grown too heavy to ride on the Flat, he switched to jumping and had his first ride over hurdles on Pelerine, who finished unplaced in the Hanworth Park Handicap Hurdle at Kempton Park on February 4, 1885. He had to wait a year for his first win under NH rules, that finally coming on Romance in the Selling Hunters’ Hurdle at Doncaster on February 11, 1886.
Having grown too heavy to ride on the Flat, he switched to jumping and had his first ride over hurdles on Pelerine, who finished unplaced in the Hanworth Park Handicap Hurdle at Kempton Park on February 4, 1885. He had to wait a year for his first win under NH rules, that finally coming on Romance in the Selling Hunters’ Hurdle at Doncaster on February 11, 1886.
He had the first of his two Grand National mounts in 1887 on 66-1 shot Goldfish, who was among the fallers. He finished second in the 1891 Aintree Hunt Chase on Lord Of The Sun.
He had the first of his two Grand National mounts in 1887 on 66-1 shot Goldfish, who was among the fallers. He finished second in the 1891 Aintree Hunt Chase on Lord Of The Sun.
In 1897 he rode 29 winners, placing him fourth in that year’s National Hunt jockey’s table.
In 1897 he rode 29 winners, placing him fourth in that year’s National Hunt jockey’s table.
Tommy gained his most important success on Raveno, a 6-1 chance, in the Grand International Hurdle at Gatwick in 1903, winning by half a length from Arthur Birch’s mount Hoya.
Tommy gained his most important success on Raveno, a 6-1 chance, in the Grand International Hurdle at Gatwick in 1903, winning by half a length from Arthur Birch’s mount Hoya.
Numerically, his most successful year was in 1905 with 33 wins, which saw him finish fifth in the jockeys’ championship.
Numerically, his most successful year was in 1905 with 33 wins, which saw him finish fifth in the jockeys’ championship.
The best horse he rode over fences was Wolf’s Folly, on whom he twice came second in the Lancashire Chase (1905, 1906) and finished fifth behind Ascetic’s Silver in the 1906 Grand National.
The best horse he rode over fences was Wolf’s Folly, on whom he twice came second in the Lancashire Chase (1905, 1906) and finished fifth behind Ascetic’s Silver in the 1906 Grand National.
On Saturday, October 20, 1906, Tommy was involved in a minor piece of racing history when winning the Pirbright Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on Arizona II. This was the first race under National Hunt rules following the introduction of allowances for jockeys. Those who had not ridden 15 winners were allowed to claim 5lb, whereas previously they had had to compete on equal terms.
On Saturday, October 20, 1906, Tommy was involved in a minor piece of racing history when winning the Pirbright Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on Arizona II. This was the first race under National Hunt rules following the introduction of allowances for jockeys. Those who had not ridden 15 winners were allowed to claim 5lb, whereas previously they had had to compete on equal terms.
Tommy rode his last winner on Butter Ball in the Timberham Hurdle at Gatwick on December 9, 1908. He was in his fiftieth year when he rode for the final time, finishing unplaced on Kilroe in the Lammas Selling Hurdle at Sandown on March 2, 1911.
Tommy rode his last winner on Butter Ball in the Timberham Hurdle at Gatwick on December 9, 1908. He was in his fiftieth year when he rode for the final time, finishing unplaced on Kilroe in the Lammas Selling Hurdle at Sandown on March 2, 1911.
Having retired from the saddle, Tommy turned his attention to training, based in Lewes.
Having retired from the saddle, Tommy turned his attention to training, based in Lewes.
He died in Lambourn in June 1954, aged 93.
He died in Lambourn in June 1954, aged 93.