Fred Gwyther

Fred Gwyther

Article by Alan Trout

Born in 1877, Welsh jump jockey Frederick Gwyther, known as Fred, rode five winners in the early years of the 20th century.

He had his first success at the Pembroke Hunt meeting on April 17, 1901, when Rebecca won the Farmers’ Chase by two lengths. This was the mare’s second race of the day, for she had earlier won the Garrison Plate Chase, ridden by Fred Davies. She had fallen during that race, as had her two rivals, but was remounted to take first place. Later that afternoon she carried top-weight of 12st 5lb and beat seven rivals to provide Fred Gwyther with the first win of his career. 

Nearly a year later, Fred had his second winner, albeit courtesy of the stewards, when Captain Laurie finished second in the Maiden Chase at the Tivyside Huint meeting on April 3, 1902. Having survived an objection by the rider of the third horse to the first two for taking the wrong course, Captain Laurie’s owner objected to the winner on the grounds that his name had not been properly registered. This objection was sustained and Captain Laurie was awarded the race. 

Five-year-old Captain Laurie finished third next time out with Fred aboard at the Pembroke Hunt meeting on April 9. Later that afternoon, Fred finished second on Speciality in the Alleston Selling Hurdle, then won the Farmers’ Chase again on Rebecca, only this time the mare ran under the name of Rebecca III to distinguish her from two other mares of the same name who were running concurrently. Seven-year-old Rebecca III was a brown mare by Ivanhoe, whereas five-year-old Rebecca II was a bay mare by Retreat, and four-year-old Rebecca was a chestnut filly by Ballintree.

Returning to Pembroke’s Hunt fixture the following year, April 1, 1903, Fred won the Garrison Plate Chase on Miss Tavora, beating Rebecca III by five lengths. Miss Tavora was making her debut under National Hunt rules and was receiving 13lb from the runner-up. 

That was the only time Fred rode Miss Tavora and he had to wait until the Pembroke Hunt meeting to come round again for his final victory. There, on April 27, 1904, reunited with Rebecca III, he won the Garrison Plate Chase again, chased home by the Anthony brothers, Ivor in second place on Welsh Ivy, and Owen back in third on Combination II. The two other runners both fell. 

That was Rebecca III’s only race of the year and she never ran again. It was also Fred Gwyther’s last ride. He trained briefly over jumps between 1928 and 1931.  

Fred Gwyther’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Rebecca, Pembroke Hunt, April 17, 1901

2. Captain Laurie, Tivyside Hunt, April 3, 1902

3. Rebecca III, Pembroke Hunt, April 9, 1902

4. Miss Tavora, Pembroke Hunt, April 1, 1903

5. Rebecca III, Pembroke Hunt, April 27, 1904