Tommy Farmer
Tommy Farmer
Tommy Farmer
Thomas Edward Farmer was born in Wimbledon and became apprenticed to William Pratt in France in 1927. Having returned to Britain, he rode a total of 11 winners under National Hunt rules between 1937 and 1946, his career having been greatly compromised by World War Two.
Thomas Edward Farmer was born in Wimbledon and became apprenticed to William Pratt in France in 1927. Having returned to Britain, he rode a total of 11 winners under National Hunt rules between 1937 and 1946, his career having been greatly compromised by World War Two.
He came to the racing public’s attention when winning on his first ride in Britain, Dutch Gold, in the three-runner Royston Selling Handicap Chase at Newbury on Friday, January 29, 1937, finishing alone after both his rivals had fallen. They won again at Huntingdon on Easter Monday, this time scraping home by a neck.
He came to the racing public’s attention when winning on his first ride in Britain, Dutch Gold, in the three-runner Royston Selling Handicap Chase at Newbury on Friday, January 29, 1937, finishing alone after both his rivals had fallen. They won again at Huntingdon on Easter Monday, this time scraping home by a neck.
He had one ride over the Grand National fences when his mount Khris Kringle was among the fallers in the Becher Chase on November 8, 1938.
He had one ride over the Grand National fences when his mount Khris Kringle was among the fallers in the Becher Chase on November 8, 1938.
Having ridden his seventh jumping winner on Old Gem at Plumpton on February 20, 1939, it was six years almost to the day before he rode another, the war having intervened and brought an end to National Hunt racing for part of that time.
Having ridden his seventh jumping winner on Old Gem at Plumpton on February 20, 1939, it was six years almost to the day before he rode another, the war having intervened and brought an end to National Hunt racing for part of that time.
After the war he rode for Epsom trainer Walter Nightingall and had his comeback winner for him aboard 5-4 favourite Triona in the Evesham Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Cheltenham on February 17, 1945. They followed up over the same course and distance a fortnight later.
After the war he rode for Epsom trainer Walter Nightingall and had his comeback winner for him aboard 5-4 favourite Triona in the Evesham Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Cheltenham on February 17, 1945. They followed up over the same course and distance a fortnight later.
The following season brought the last two wins of Tommy’s career, beginning with Triona at Windsor in November. His eleventh and final success came on The Ironfighter for another Epsom trainer, Sam Hanley, in division two of the Ardingley Novices’ Chase at Plumpton on February 20, 1946.
The following season brought the last two wins of Tommy’s career, beginning with Triona at Windsor in November. His eleventh and final success came on The Ironfighter for another Epsom trainer, Sam Hanley, in division two of the Ardingley Novices’ Chase at Plumpton on February 20, 1946.
In the 1946 Champion Hurdle Tommy rode Dorothy Paget’s five-year-old mare Odette, who was due to act as pacemaker for Miss Paget’s first string, the 5-4 on favourite Distel. All went to plan over the first hurdle but then Odette tried to run out passing the stands and lost touch with the field, eventually trailing home last of eight as Distel romped to a four-length victory.
In the 1946 Champion Hurdle Tommy rode Dorothy Paget’s five-year-old mare Odette, who was due to act as pacemaker for Miss Paget’s first string, the 5-4 on favourite Distel. All went to plan over the first hurdle but then Odette tried to run out passing the stands and lost touch with the field, eventually trailing home last of eight as Distel romped to a four-length victory.
Having retired from race-riding, Tommy later set up as a trainer, based at Ascot.
Having retired from race-riding, Tommy later set up as a trainer, based at Ascot.
Tommy Farmer’s winners were, in chronological order:
Tommy Farmer’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Dutch Gold, Newbury, January 29, 1937
1. Dutch Gold, Newbury, January 29, 1937
2. Dutch Gold, Huntingdon, March 29, 1937
2. Dutch Gold, Huntingdon, March 29, 1937
3. Laytown, Stratford-on-Avon, October 2, 1937
3. Laytown, Stratford-on-Avon, October 2, 1937
4. Woodan, Windsor, January 22, 1938
4. Woodan, Windsor, January 22, 1938
5. Diabutsu, Gatwick, December 8, 1938
5. Diabutsu, Gatwick, December 8, 1938
6. Diabutsu, Gatwick, January 7, 1939
6. Diabutsu, Gatwick, January 7, 1939
7. Old Gem, Plumpton, February 20, 1939
7. Old Gem, Plumpton, February 20, 1939
8. Triano, Cheltenham, February 17, 1945
8. Triano, Cheltenham, February 17, 1945
9. Triano, Cheltenham, March 3, 1945
9. Triano, Cheltenham, March 3, 1945
10. Triona, Windsor, November 17, 1945
10. Triona, Windsor, November 17, 1945
11. The Ironfighter, Plumpton, February 20, 1946
11. The Ironfighter, Plumpton, February 20, 1946