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Herman Tratthen & Couvrefeu ll
1890-1918
1890-1918
Herman “Schnaps” Tratthen, although his name sounds German, was in fact English. He was born in Normanby, near Middlesbrough, in 1890, the third son of Josiah and Mary (nee Scott) Tratthen.
Herman “Schnaps” Tratthen, although his name sounds German, was in fact English. He was born in Normanby, near Middlesbrough, in 1890, the third son of Josiah and Mary (nee Scott) Tratthen.
A professional pre-war jockey based in Newmarket, he achieved little on the Flat but rode 15 winners under National Hunt rules between 1907 and 1914 including the 1911 Scottish Grand National on Couvrefeu II.
A professional pre-war jockey based in Newmarket, he achieved little on the Flat but rode 15 winners under National Hunt rules between 1907 and 1914 including the 1911 Scottish Grand National on Couvrefeu II.
His first ride over jumps was a winning one, for at Sandown Park on October 26, 1907, Blue Sand, owned and trained by Richard Wootton, came with a strong run from the last flight to beat 21 rivals in the Three-Year-Old Hurdle. Herman ended the year in good form with a New Year’s Eve double at Hurst Park.
His first ride over jumps was a winning one, for at Sandown Park on October 26, 1907, Blue Sand, owned and trained by Richard Wootton, came with a strong run from the last flight to beat 21 rivals in the Three-Year-Old Hurdle. Herman ended the year in good form with a New Year’s Eve double at Hurst Park.
Then came a career-best score of seven in 1908, followed by two blank years, although he appears to have only ridden at one meeting in 1910.
Then came a career-best score of seven in 1908, followed by two blank years, although he appears to have only ridden at one meeting in 1910.
However, at Bogside on April 6, 1911, came his greatest victory in the Scottish Grand National on Couvrefeu II. He may have been slightly fortunate as Henry Prince fell when leading, and in the opinion of the sporting papers Bob Chadwick left himself too much to do on the favourite Shaun Ore, who was beaten into second place by half a length. It was the only time that Herman rode the seven-year-old but he had taken his chance.
However, at Bogside on April 6, 1911, came his greatest victory in the Scottish Grand National on Couvrefeu II. He may have been slightly fortunate as Henry Prince fell when leading, and in the opinion of the sporting papers Bob Chadwick left himself too much to do on the favourite Shaun Ore, who was beaten into second place by half a length. It was the only time that Herman rode the seven-year-old but he had taken his chance.
There were only two more victories after his Bogside success, the last coming on Miss Edgar in the Caterham Selling Handicap Hurdle at Gatwick on January 7, 1914. His last ride over jumps was on Lanky Lady, unplaced in the Dudley Maiden Selling Hurdle at Wolverhampton on March 15, 1915, but he had taken the occasional ride on the Flat for some years without success, and that was where he finished when Griselle was well beaten in the Betchworth Selling Plate at Epsom on April 21, 1915.
There were only two more victories after his Bogside success, the last coming on Miss Edgar in the Caterham Selling Handicap Hurdle at Gatwick on January 7, 1914. His last ride over jumps was on Lanky Lady, unplaced in the Dudley Maiden Selling Hurdle at Wolverhampton on March 15, 1915, but he had taken the occasional ride on the Flat for some years without success, and that was where he finished when Griselle was well beaten in the Betchworth Selling Plate at Epsom on April 21, 1915.
During World War One he served as Sgt 9114 Tratthen in the AVC (Army Veterinary Corps) A battery 124 Brigade RFA.
During World War One he served as Sgt 9114 Tratthen in the AVC (Army Veterinary Corps) A battery 124 Brigade RFA.
Herman got through the war only to succumb to illness eight days after hostilities ended on November 19, 1918.
Herman got through the war only to succumb to illness eight days after hostilities ended on November 19, 1918.
The AVC was based at Rouen Hospital (which had, in fact, about eight hospitals). Many housed soldiers suffering from the flu pandemic then sweeping through Europe.
The AVC was based at Rouen Hospital (which had, in fact, about eight hospitals). Many housed soldiers suffering from the flu pandemic then sweeping through Europe.
Herman fell victim to the illness and died aged 27. He is buried at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.
Herman fell victim to the illness and died aged 27. He is buried at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.
Herman Tratthen’s winners were, in chronological order:
Herman Tratthen’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Blue Sand, Sandown Park, October 26, 1907
1. Blue Sand, Sandown Park, October 26, 1907
2. Happy Hampton, Hurst Park, December 31, 1907
2. Happy Hampton, Hurst Park, December 31, 1907
3. Collarmaker, Hurst Park, December 31, 1907
3. Collarmaker, Hurst Park, December 31, 1907
4. Collarmaker, Windsor, January 10, 1908
4. Collarmaker, Windsor, January 10, 1908
5. El Oro, Hurst Park, February 14, 1908
5. El Oro, Hurst Park, February 14, 1908
6. Reality, Lingfield Park, February 22, 1908
6. Reality, Lingfield Park, February 22, 1908
7. Reality, Sandown Park, March 5, 1908
7. Reality, Sandown Park, March 5, 1908
8. The Whelp, Plumpton, April 18, 1908
8. The Whelp, Plumpton, April 18, 1908
9. Jack, Southwell, May 18, 1908
9. Jack, Southwell, May 18, 1908
10. Jack, Nottingham, May 25, 1908
10. Jack, Nottingham, May 25, 1908
11. Robin, Doncaster, February 21, 1911
11. Robin, Doncaster, February 21, 1911
12. Robin, Kempton Park, March 11, 1911
12. Robin, Kempton Park, March 11, 1911
13. Couvrefeu II, Bogside, April 6, 1911
13. Couvrefeu II, Bogside, April 6, 1911
14. Rathduff, Nottingham, December 10, 1912
14. Rathduff, Nottingham, December 10, 1912
13. Miss Edgar, Gatwick, January 7, 1914
13. Miss Edgar, Gatwick, January 7, 1914
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