Major Fred Herbert
Familiarly known as Tip, Major F. Herbert began his race-riding career in the 9th Lancers when quartered at Island Bridge Barracks, Dublin.
Familiarly known as Tip, Major F. Herbert began his race-riding career in the 9th Lancers when quartered at Island Bridge Barracks, Dublin.
From 1866 to 1870, nearly all of his riding was confined to Irish meetings, where he enjoyed great success.
From 1866 to 1870, nearly all of his riding was confined to Irish meetings, where he enjoyed great success.
Much to the disgust of its owner, Major Herbert bought a small grey mare, Little Wonder, out of a selling race at Cork, and proceeded to win on her many times.
Much to the disgust of its owner, Major Herbert bought a small grey mare, Little Wonder, out of a selling race at Cork, and proceeded to win on her many times.
He also owned the extremely bad-tempered Mephistopheles (called My-Fist-of-Fleas by the Irish bookmakers) which he had trained by Alan McDonough at the Curragh. In the Punchestown Grand Military racing against Wild Fox, Mephistopheles immediately stopped to nothing when the canny rider of Wild Fox, aware of his rival's dubious temperament, nosily cracked his whip alongside it.
He also owned the extremely bad-tempered Mephistopheles (called My-Fist-of-Fleas by the Irish bookmakers) which he had trained by Alan McDonough at the Curragh. In the Punchestown Grand Military racing against Wild Fox, Mephistopheles immediately stopped to nothing when the canny rider of Wild Fox, aware of his rival's dubious temperament, nosily cracked his whip alongside it.
In England, the Major won six races out of eight on Killeen in 1871 beginning with the Hunt Cup at Finchley: other good horses he owned and rode included Bacchus, Bluebeard and the selling plater Sir Robert, which he rode to many victories. Among Killeen's wins was Aldershot's Light-Weight Divisional Steeplechase: Killeen actually fell at the water, but the Major managed to scramble back into the saddle. In a steeplechase at Croydon, Bacchus seized a rider's leg with his teeth before going on to win.
In England, the Major won six races out of eight on Killeen in 1871 beginning with the Hunt Cup at Finchley: other good horses he owned and rode included Bacchus, Bluebeard and the selling plater Sir Robert, which he rode to many victories. Among Killeen's wins was Aldershot's Light-Weight Divisional Steeplechase: Killeen actually fell at the water, but the Major managed to scramble back into the saddle. In a steeplechase at Croydon, Bacchus seized a rider's leg with his teeth before going on to win.
In 1887, Major Herbert organised and started the National Pony and Galloway Racing Club which made pony racing a national sport.
In 1887, Major Herbert organised and started the National Pony and Galloway Racing Club which made pony racing a national sport.