Fred Herbert
1886 - 1955
1886 - 1955
Canadian Fred ‘Brusher’ Herbert rode in Britain for 35 years before retiring at the advanced age of 61. His major successes included three of Britain’s most prestigious and competitive handicaps, the Cesarewitch, the Wokingham and the Royal Hunt Cup.
Canadian Fred ‘Brusher’ Herbert rode in Britain for 35 years before retiring at the advanced age of 61. His major successes included three of Britain’s most prestigious and competitive handicaps, the Cesarewitch, the Wokingham and the Royal Hunt Cup.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario on November 1, 1886, Frederick George Hebert was at one time a member of a troupe of acrobats before becoming a jockey. He rode his first winner on a horse named Bananas and Cream at Louisville, Kentucky, in May 1899, and rode another winner on the same afternoon’s card for good measure.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario on November 1, 1886, Frederick George Hebert was at one time a member of a troupe of acrobats before becoming a jockey. He rode his first winner on a horse named Bananas and Cream at Louisville, Kentucky, in May 1899, and rode another winner on the same afternoon’s card for good measure.
In 1909 he rode the winners of both the Canadian Derby and America’s most famous race, the Kentucky Derby, the latter triumph being on Donau.
In 1909 he rode the winners of both the Canadian Derby and America’s most famous race, the Kentucky Derby, the latter triumph being on Donau.
Although born in Canada, his father hailed from Manchester, and Fred duly came to Britain in 1912. It didn’t take him long to ride his first winner, scoring on Saucy Vixen in the May Maiden Plate at Leicester on May 13, 1912.
Although born in Canada, his father hailed from Manchester, and Fred duly came to Britain in 1912. It didn’t take him long to ride his first winner, scoring on Saucy Vixen in the May Maiden Plate at Leicester on May 13, 1912.
‘Brusher’ soon made his mark on the English racing scene, for in 1913 he won the Wokingham on Braxted, the Norfolk Stakes on Hapsburg and the Cesarewitch on 50/1 outsider Fiz-Yama. He also rode Fiz-Yama to victory in the 1915 Great Metropolitan at Epsom.
‘Brusher’ soon made his mark on the English racing scene, for in 1913 he won the Wokingham on Braxted, the Norfolk Stakes on Hapsburg and the Cesarewitch on 50/1 outsider Fiz-Yama. He also rode Fiz-Yama to victory in the 1915 Great Metropolitan at Epsom.
He rode for the Whitney family for over 40 years and, between 1920 and 1930, spending the winters in India. When in England he stayed at Hollycroft, Ashford Hill, Newbury. It is believed that Fred also rode winners in 18 countries, including Mexico, U.S.A., Australia, Germany, Russia, Egypt, Belgium. France, Austria, Rumania, Holland, Ireland and Cuba.
He rode for the Whitney family for over 40 years and, between 1920 and 1930, spending the winters in India. When in England he stayed at Hollycroft, Ashford Hill, Newbury. It is believed that Fred also rode winners in 18 countries, including Mexico, U.S.A., Australia, Germany, Russia, Egypt, Belgium. France, Austria, Rumania, Holland, Ireland and Cuba.
During the War, he was a Sergeant in the Home Guard, but managed to take time out from his duties to win the 1941 Royal Hunt Cup (run that year at Newbury) on Time Step.
During the War, he was a Sergeant in the Home Guard, but managed to take time out from his duties to win the 1941 Royal Hunt Cup (run that year at Newbury) on Time Step.
Fred had his final ride on his 61st birthday, aboard a two-year-old filly named Turkhan Lass in the Boswell Stakes at Hurst Park on November 1, 1947, finishing tenth of the 16 runners. He was by then a grandfather and his retirement brought to an end a career that had lasted for 49 years.
Fred had his final ride on his 61st birthday, aboard a two-year-old filly named Turkhan Lass in the Boswell Stakes at Hurst Park on November 1, 1947, finishing tenth of the 16 runners. He was by then a grandfather and his retirement brought to an end a career that had lasted for 49 years.
Fred Herbert died at his home in Maidenhead on Wednesday 8 June 1955, aged 68.
Fred Herbert died at his home in Maidenhead on Wednesday 8 June 1955, aged 68.
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