By general agreement, the win of The Merry Monarch in the 1845 Epsom Derby was one of the biggest flukes of all time.
Starting at 40/1, the little-known Foster Bell drove the horse home by a length in a race full of incident.
This was the only win of the horse's career. The Merry Monarch was turned out again at Goodwood on July 30 that year and, with Foster Bell again in the saddle and starting at even money for the Gatwick Stakes, was soundly beaten.
Born in 1845, Foster Bell died in the Medway Union, Chatham, on October 5 after falling from his horse as a spectator at Chatham races on 28 September 1857.
He was 43.
His younger brother, Henry, was also a successful jockey.
