Fred Osborne

Fred Osborne

1872-1944

Article by Alan Trout

Fred Osborne’s father, John Osborne (1833-1922), was one of the great jockeys of the second half of the 19th century. Whatever Fred achieved inevitably pales in comparison. Nevertheless, he managed to ride 22 winners in a career that lasted over 20 years.

Frederick William Osborne was born in 1872. He appears to have had his first ride when finishing unplaced on Medley in the Hornby Castle Handicap Plate at Catterick Bridge on April 5, 1888. John Osborne won the race on Horton.

Fred had to wait more than a year for his first victory, when Miss Stanley, owned by his father, took the Eston Welter Handicap Plate at Redcar on June 10, 1889. Thereafter, it was a case of regular rides but few winners. It was three years after his Redcar success before he gained his second, Tertian at Beverley on July 14, 1892.

He best seasonal tally was four, achieved in 1895, 1896 and 1897. His last win was on Birk Gill, owned and trained by his father, in the Holm Hill Plate at Carlisle on July 2, 1907. He had his final ride on September 28, 1912 when finishing unplaced on The Guller in the Newbuildings Welter Handicap at Thirsk.

Following the death of his father in 1922, Fred, who had studied as an architect after quitting the saddle, took over the running of the stables at Brecongill, in Yorkshire.

Fred Osborne died at Richmond, Yorkshire, in July 1944.

His wins were, in chronological order:

1. Miss Stanley, Redcar, June 10, 1889

2. Tertian, Beverley, July 14, 1892

3. Complines, Carlisle, April 19, 1894

4. Complines, York, May 21, 1895

5. Languid, Beverley, June 13, 1895

6. Idleband, Carlisle, July 2, 1895

7. Napkin, Thirsk, October 18, 1895

8. Morpeth, York, May 20, 1896

9. First Foot, Redcar, May 26, 1896

10. First Foot, Newcastle, June 26, 1896

11. First Foot, Redcar, August 12, 1896

12. Hazlebun, Catterick Bridge, April 22, 1897

13. Laughing Girl, Pontefract, April 29, 1897

14. Reed Bird, Pontefract, April 30, 1897

15. Laughing Girl, Newcastle, June 24, 1897

16. Rummage, Pontefract, September 19, 1899

17. Thorney, Manchester, September 23, 1899

18. Eddisbury, Haydock Park, May 19, 1900

19. Lauriston, Redcar, June 4, 1900

20. Overstrand, Manchester, November 23, 1905

21. Tar Boy, Catterick Bridge, October 24, 1896

22. Birk Gill, Carlisle, July 2, 1907