Fothergill Rowlands
c1823 - 1878
c1823 - 1878
We have Fothergill 'Fogo' Rowlands to thank for The National Hunt Steeplechase at Cheltenham.
We have Fothergill 'Fogo' Rowlands to thank for The National Hunt Steeplechase at Cheltenham.
Fogo was the son of a Monmouthshire doctor. Initially he took over his father's medical practice but, as the lure of National Hunt racing grew, abandoned it to become an amateur jockey.
Fogo was the son of a Monmouthshire doctor. Initially he took over his father's medical practice but, as the lure of National Hunt racing grew, abandoned it to become an amateur jockey.
He asked the great Tom Oliver to train for him before becoming his own trainer.
He asked the great Tom Oliver to train for him before becoming his own trainer.
As an amateur jockey, he met with great success, usually on the horses of his great friend Lord Strathmore.
As an amateur jockey, he met with great success, usually on the horses of his great friend Lord Strathmore.
In 1859, Fogo came up with the idea of staging a new and properly organized steeplechase for the farmers and hunters of Market Harborough (which lies between Nuneaton and Peterborough).
In 1859, Fogo came up with the idea of staging a new and properly organized steeplechase for the farmers and hunters of Market Harborough (which lies between Nuneaton and Peterborough).
At first, the idea was slow to gather pace but, the next year, twelve local hunts responded, each contributing to the prize.
At first, the idea was slow to gather pace but, the next year, twelve local hunts responded, each contributing to the prize.
The race was to be run over four miles with a £10 entry fee for each runner. A further £500 would also go to the winner. Each horse would carry the same weight, 12 stone, and only amateurs jockeys would be eligible to ride.
The race was to be run over four miles with a £10 entry fee for each runner. A further £500 would also go to the winner. Each horse would carry the same weight, 12 stone, and only amateurs jockeys would be eligible to ride.
By being strictly controlled and properly organised, it established a new pattern and standard for jump racing and the rules under which it was run became known as 'the Harborough Act'.
By being strictly controlled and properly organised, it established a new pattern and standard for jump racing and the rules under which it was run became known as 'the Harborough Act'.
This was the birth of the National Hunt Chase.
This was the birth of the National Hunt Chase.
Six years on the race became firmly established when a 14-strong body took responsibility for officially regulating steeplechasing. Originally named the Grand National Hunt Steeplechase Committee, it was shortened eventually to the National Hunt Committee.
Six years on the race became firmly established when a 14-strong body took responsibility for officially regulating steeplechasing. Originally named the Grand National Hunt Steeplechase Committee, it was shortened eventually to the National Hunt Committee.
Fogo rode twice in the Grand National.
Fogo rode twice in the Grand National.
In 1861, he bought the mare Brunette and managed to bet £100 at 50/1 that he would ride her to victory. Brunette had to be pulled up on the first circuit.
In 1861, he bought the mare Brunette and managed to bet £100 at 50/1 that he would ride her to victory. Brunette had to be pulled up on the first circuit.
Fogo tried again in 1863, this time riding his own horse Medora on which he had already won significant races. Jumping clumsily throughout, Fogo once again had little option other than to pull up.
Fogo tried again in 1863, this time riding his own horse Medora on which he had already won significant races. Jumping clumsily throughout, Fogo once again had little option other than to pull up.
Fothergill Rowlands died on 21 April 1878.
Fothergill Rowlands died on 21 April 1878.
Biggest wins:
Biggest wins:
1861: Wynstay Cup Chase (Aintree) - Medora
1861: Wynstay Cup Chase (Aintree) - Medora
1862: Baden-Baden Hunt Chase - Medora
1862: Baden-Baden Hunt Chase - Medora
Dr Fothergill Rowlands on Tom Llewellyn Brewer's horse Bold Navy.