Fred Brookes

Born at Ross-on-Wye on February 20, 1889, Fred rode a good number of winners before retiring in 1932 following a fall at Wye.

He began training but this did not work out, and he became a rent collector on the Central Park Estate.

On January 25, 1939, aged just 49 and then living at 40, Balmoral Road, Gillingham, Fred gassed himself in the scullery. He left a note saying he was worried about his wife's health and also that he was short in the rent money collected and feared getting the sack. This proved not to be the case.

He twice won the Scottish Grand National; 1923 on Harrismith and 1927 on Estuna.

Article courtesy Chas Hammond