Fred Stokes
Article written by John Turley, to whom I am greatly indebted
Article written by John Turley, to whom I am greatly indebted
Frederick Gordon Stokes had his first ride under National Hunt rules on Craignell, a faller in the Open Chase at Ludlow on October 11, 1923. Prior to that he had had at least one ride on the Flat, when unplaced on Corrie Lass, carrying 3lb overweight at 9 stone, in the Spinners’ Plate at Manchester on September 7 of that year.
Frederick Gordon Stokes had his first ride under National Hunt rules on Craignell, a faller in the Open Chase at Ludlow on October 11, 1923. Prior to that he had had at least one ride on the Flat, when unplaced on Corrie Lass, carrying 3lb overweight at 9 stone, in the Spinners’ Plate at Manchester on September 7 of that year.
It was on Corrie Lass that he rode his first winner, on Easter Monday, April 5, 1926. The race was the Grand Stand Selling Hurdle at Hereford and thereafter Fred carried a cigarette case with an inscription marking the event.
It was on Corrie Lass that he rode his first winner, on Easter Monday, April 5, 1926. The race was the Grand Stand Selling Hurdle at Hereford and thereafter Fred carried a cigarette case with an inscription marking the event.
Three years later, on April 17, 1929, Fred was riding Arosa, the outsider of five in the Tewkesbury Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham. He was several lengths behind the others when the horse caught the top of the hurdle, turned a somersault and rolled over the stricken jockey. Fred’s skull was fractured and he died within a few minutes. An inquest held two days later returned a verdict of 'Accidental Death'.
Three years later, on April 17, 1929, Fred was riding Arosa, the outsider of five in the Tewkesbury Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham. He was several lengths behind the others when the horse caught the top of the hurdle, turned a somersault and rolled over the stricken jockey. Fred’s skull was fractured and he died within a few minutes. An inquest held two days later returned a verdict of 'Accidental Death'.
The race was won by leading jockey Billy Speck, who himself was killed at the same course six years later.
The race was won by leading jockey Billy Speck, who himself was killed at the same course six years later.
Fred was aged just 27 when he died. He had ridden a total of seven winners.
Fred was aged just 27 when he died. He had ridden a total of seven winners.
His family came from Tarporley, where his father, William, was a master carter. Fred had moved down to Compton in Berkshire where he was attached to private trainer R. C. Woods, who handled Arosa. Woods also trained Fred’s last winner, Flown Away, at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day 1928.
His family came from Tarporley, where his father, William, was a master carter. Fred had moved down to Compton in Berkshire where he was attached to private trainer R. C. Woods, who handled Arosa. Woods also trained Fred’s last winner, Flown Away, at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day 1928.
Fred Stokes’ winners were, in chronological order.
Fred Stokes’ winners were, in chronological order.
1. Corrie Lass, Hereford, April 5, 1926
1. Corrie Lass, Hereford, April 5, 1926
2. Corrie Lass, Monmouth, September 30, 1926
2. Corrie Lass, Monmouth, September 30, 1926
3. Flown Away, Worcester, April 28, 1927
3. Flown Away, Worcester, April 28, 1927
4. Flown Away, Pershore, May 3, 1927
4. Flown Away, Pershore, May 3, 1927
5. Arosa, Totnes & Bridgetown, September 8, 1927
5. Arosa, Totnes & Bridgetown, September 8, 1927
6. Arosa, Totnes & Bridgetown, September 12, 1928
6. Arosa, Totnes & Bridgetown, September 12, 1928
7. Flown Asway, Wolverhampton, December 26, 1928
7. Flown Asway, Wolverhampton, December 26, 1928
Full list of winners provided by Alan Trout.
Full list of winners provided by Alan Trout.
Fred Stokes' first winner