Frederick Stern
Frederick Stern
Frederick Stern
1884-1967
1884-1967
Born on April 8, 1884, amateur rider Frederick (Fred) Stern recorded a total of 27 winners over jumps during a relatively brief career that spanned between 1906 and 1911.
Born on April 8, 1884, amateur rider Frederick (Fred) Stern recorded a total of 27 winners over jumps during a relatively brief career that spanned between 1906 and 1911.
He made his debut under National Hunt rules at Pershore on May 7, 1906, finishing fifth of six runners on Downpatrick in the Birlingham National Hunt Flat race. He had to wait more than a year before tasting success for the first time, gaining a bloodless victory at Wye on September 30, 1907 when finishing alone aboard 2-1 on favourite Brantingham in a match for the Dover Chase, their sole rival Marcha Real having refused.
He made his debut under National Hunt rules at Pershore on May 7, 1906, finishing fifth of six runners on Downpatrick in the Birlingham National Hunt Flat race. He had to wait more than a year before tasting success for the first time, gaining a bloodless victory at Wye on September 30, 1907 when finishing alone aboard 2-1 on favourite Brantingham in a match for the Dover Chase, their sole rival Marcha Real having refused.
Fred did well at Torquay’s annual two-day Easter fixture. He recorded a double on the second day of the meeting in 1908, winning a match for the St Marychurch Hurdle on Pretty Patsey and the three-runner Torbay and South Devon Handicap Chase on Drumeen.
Fred did well at Torquay’s annual two-day Easter fixture. He recorded a double on the second day of the meeting in 1908, winning a match for the St Marychurch Hurdle on Pretty Patsey and the three-runner Torbay and South Devon Handicap Chase on Drumeen.
Twelve months later, he notched doubles on both days of the meeting. On Easter Monday, April 12, he won the Tor Abbey Maiden Chase on Greek Play and the Ladies’ Handicap Hurdle on Australasia. The following day he landed the Torbay and South Devon Handicap Chase on Spinning Coin and the Torre Handicap Hurdle on Greek Play. He rode 11 winners that year, placing him joint-seventh in the 1909 amateur riders’ table.
Twelve months later, he notched doubles on both days of the meeting. On Easter Monday, April 12, he won the Tor Abbey Maiden Chase on Greek Play and the Ladies’ Handicap Hurdle on Australasia. The following day he landed the Torbay and South Devon Handicap Chase on Spinning Coin and the Torre Handicap Hurdle on Greek Play. He rode 11 winners that year, placing him joint-seventh in the 1909 amateur riders’ table.
He equalled that score in 1910, including a double at Gatwick on February 25 aboard Springtime II in the Moderate Handicap Chase and Greek Play in the February Handicap Chase.
He equalled that score in 1910, including a double at Gatwick on February 25 aboard Springtime II in the Moderate Handicap Chase and Greek Play in the February Handicap Chase.
He had two rides in Cheltenham’s National Hunt Chase, finishing unplaced on Mainsail II in 1908 and falling on Worthy in 1910. He also rode in the 1910 Becher Chase over the Grand National fences, a race that ended being declared void after all four runners had either fallen or refused.
He had two rides in Cheltenham’s National Hunt Chase, finishing unplaced on Mainsail II in 1908 and falling on Worthy in 1910. He also rode in the 1910 Becher Chase over the Grand National fences, a race that ended being declared void after all four runners had either fallen or refused.
Shortly before that Aintree debacle, Fred had ridden what would prove to be his last winner, Spinning Coin, the 2-1 favourite, in the Ruddington Handicap Chase at Nottingham on October 24, 1910.
Shortly before that Aintree debacle, Fred had ridden what would prove to be his last winner, Spinning Coin, the 2-1 favourite, in the Ruddington Handicap Chase at Nottingham on October 24, 1910.
Three months later, it was Spinning Coin who provided him with his final ride. Having previously won over course and distance, they were again sent off favourites at Nottingham, this time for the Mansfield Handicap Chase on January 30, 1911. Sadly, their race ended in a fall. It is impossible to say for sure whether that fall was severe enough to have ended Fred’s career prematurely, but he did not ride again after that.
Three months later, it was Spinning Coin who provided him with his final ride. Having previously won over course and distance, they were again sent off favourites at Nottingham, this time for the Mansfield Handicap Chase on January 30, 1911. Sadly, their race ended in a fall. It is impossible to say for sure whether that fall was severe enough to have ended Fred’s career prematurely, but he did not ride again after that.
Frederick Stern, who had officiated as best man at the wedding of amateur rider and trainer Gwyn Saunders-Davies, died on July 10, 1967, aged 83.
Frederick Stern, who had officiated as best man at the wedding of amateur rider and trainer Gwyn Saunders-Davies, died on July 10, 1967, aged 83.
