Fred Leader
1881 -1933
1881 -1933
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Like many other members of his family, Fred Leader was a successful trainer for the first part of the 20th century. However, before that he had ridden two dozen winners on the Flat between 1896 and 1900.
Like many other members of his family, Fred Leader was a successful trainer for the first part of the 20th century. However, before that he had ridden two dozen winners on the Flat between 1896 and 1900.
George Frederick Leader – always known as Fred – was born on April 18, 1881 and was apprenticed to his father Tom, who had trained the ill-tempered equine George Frederick to win the 1874 Derby.
George Frederick Leader – always known as Fred – was born on April 18, 1881 and was apprenticed to his father Tom, who had trained the ill-tempered equine George Frederick to win the 1874 Derby.
Fred had his first rude in public when unplaced on Alpha in the Selling Plate at Hurst Park on July 5, 1895. He had to wait for his first win until Bush Chat scored by five lengths in the Bestwood Park Plate at Nottingham on March 31, 1896. Nine more wins followed during that season including a double at Manchester in September.
Fred had his first rude in public when unplaced on Alpha in the Selling Plate at Hurst Park on July 5, 1895. He had to wait for his first win until Bush Chat scored by five lengths in the Bestwood Park Plate at Nottingham on March 31, 1896. Nine more wins followed during that season including a double at Manchester in September.
There were three wins in 1897, six in 1898, but only two in 1899. Fred rode his third winner of the 1900 campaign – and his final one – when Pindar, trained by his father, won the Norfolk and Suffolk Handicap at Yarmouth on September 18, beating Lady Athel, the mount of Tommy Loates, by half a length. His final ride was on Little Fanny in the Shoreham Plate at Brighton on June 27, 1901, finishing unplaced.
There were three wins in 1897, six in 1898, but only two in 1899. Fred rode his third winner of the 1900 campaign – and his final one – when Pindar, trained by his father, won the Norfolk and Suffolk Handicap at Yarmouth on September 18, beating Lady Athel, the mount of Tommy Loates, by half a length. His final ride was on Little Fanny in the Shoreham Plate at Brighton on June 27, 1901, finishing unplaced.
Of those 24 wins, six had come on Flavus, including the Great Northern Handicap at York on May 16, 1899. Fred’s only ride in a Classic came in the 1898 2,000 Guineas when he rode M.D. on whom he had won two races as a two-year-old. Although prominent early, M.D. faded and finished last but one.
Of those 24 wins, six had come on Flavus, including the Great Northern Handicap at York on May 16, 1899. Fred’s only ride in a Classic came in the 1898 2,000 Guineas when he rode M.D. on whom he had won two races as a two-year-old. Although prominent early, M.D. faded and finished last but one.
Having retired from race-riding, Fred became a successful trainer but met a tragic end. On June 13, 1933, he trained the favourite Gainslaw to win the Ascot Gold Vase at Royal Ascot. After the meeting he and his wife were being driven back to Newmarket when their car ran into the back of a stationary lorry near Stevenage: both were killed instantly.
Having retired from race-riding, Fred became a successful trainer but met a tragic end. On June 13, 1933, he trained the favourite Gainslaw to win the Ascot Gold Vase at Royal Ascot. After the meeting he and his wife were being driven back to Newmarket when their car ran into the back of a stationary lorry near Stevenage: both were killed instantly.
Fred Leader’s wins were, in chronological order:
Fred Leader’s wins were, in chronological order:
1. Bush Chat, Nottingham, March 31, 1896
1. Bush Chat, Nottingham, March 31, 1896
2. Full of Fashion, Huntingdon, July 22, 1896
2. Full of Fashion, Huntingdon, July 22, 1896
3. Alpha, Manchester, September 25, 1896
3. Alpha, Manchester, September 25, 1896
4. Conifer, Manchester, September 25, 1896
4. Conifer, Manchester, September 25, 1896
5. Palm Oil, Manchester, September 26, 1896
5. Palm Oil, Manchester, September 26, 1896
6. b.c. by Despair out of St Frida, Kempton Park, October 9, 1896
6. b.c. by Despair out of St Frida, Kempton Park, October 9, 1896
7. Silver Maze, Gatwick, October 20, 1896
7. Silver Maze, Gatwick, October 20, 1896
8. Soliman, Gatwick, October 21, 1896
8. Soliman, Gatwick, October 21, 1896
9. Zina, Newmarket, October 29, 1896
9. Zina, Newmarket, October 29, 1896
10. Full of Fashion, Manchester, November 27, 1896
10. Full of Fashion, Manchester, November 27, 1896
11. M.D., Nottingham, April 13, 1897
11. M.D., Nottingham, April 13, 1897
12. N.D., Manchester, June 12, 1897
12. N.D., Manchester, June 12, 1897
13. Record Reign, Derby, September 2, 1897
13. Record Reign, Derby, September 2, 1897
14. Lowland Beauty, Manchester, June 4, 1898
14. Lowland Beauty, Manchester, June 4, 1898
15. Flavus, Pontefract, July 7, 1898
15. Flavus, Pontefract, July 7, 1898
16. Flavus, Leicester, July 18, 1898 (dead-heat)
16. Flavus, Leicester, July 18, 1898 (dead-heat)
17. Flavus, Leicester July 19, 1898
17. Flavus, Leicester July 19, 1898
18. Made of Money, Liverpool, July 21, 1898
18. Made of Money, Liverpool, July 21, 1898
19. Bob Stay, Derby, September 1, 1898
19. Bob Stay, Derby, September 1, 1898
20. Flavus, Warwick, April 6, 1899
20. Flavus, Warwick, April 6, 1899
21. Flavus, York, May 16, 1899
21. Flavus, York, May 16, 1899
22. Flavus, Chester, May 8, 1900
22. Flavus, Chester, May 8, 1900
23. Capstan, Worcester, July 6, 1900
23. Capstan, Worcester, July 6, 1900
24. Pindar, Yarmouth, September 18, 1900.
24. Pindar, Yarmouth, September 18, 1900.
