Victor Tabor
1873 -1951
1873 -1951
Born on May 24, 1873, the son of an Essex farmer, Charles Victor Tabor was a successful amateur rider around the southern and East Anglian courses during the first decade of the 20th century, amassing 79 winners under National Hunt rules.
Born on May 24, 1873, the son of an Essex farmer, Charles Victor Tabor was a successful amateur rider around the southern and East Anglian courses during the first decade of the 20th century, amassing 79 winners under National Hunt rules.
He had his first ride in the Corporation Chase at Chelmsford on November 13, 1894, finishing unplaced on Topthorne, the 10-1 outsider of six. He rode his first winner on 5-1 chance Uncle Edward in the two-mile Farm Selling Chase at Hawthorn Hill on March 23, 1896.
He had his first ride in the Corporation Chase at Chelmsford on November 13, 1894, finishing unplaced on Topthorne, the 10-1 outsider of six. He rode his first winner on 5-1 chance Uncle Edward in the two-mile Farm Selling Chase at Hawthorn Hill on March 23, 1896.
He enjoyed his most successful year in 1907 with 20 wins, a total which saw him crowned champion amateur rider. They included a treble at the United Hunts meeting at Lingfield Park on May 1, aboard Rough Chance, who obliged twice in the Lingfield Hunters’ Chase and the United Hunts’ Chase, and Sugar Baby in the Lingfield Hunters’ Hurdle.
He enjoyed his most successful year in 1907 with 20 wins, a total which saw him crowned champion amateur rider. They included a treble at the United Hunts meeting at Lingfield Park on May 1, aboard Rough Chance, who obliged twice in the Lingfield Hunters’ Chase and the United Hunts’ Chase, and Sugar Baby in the Lingfield Hunters’ Hurdle.
Also that year, he notched a double at Hawthorn Hill on April 29, winning the Open Hunts’ Chase on Main Top and the Open Handicap Chase on West Ewell. West Ewell was the main contributor to Victor’s tally, winning six handicap chases in all that year, at Southdown Hunt and Hawthorn Hill in April, Folkestone and Hooton Park in May, Southwell in September and Hooton Park again in November.
Also that year, he notched a double at Hawthorn Hill on April 29, winning the Open Hunts’ Chase on Main Top and the Open Handicap Chase on West Ewell. West Ewell was the main contributor to Victor’s tally, winning six handicap chases in all that year, at Southdown Hunt and Hawthorn Hill in April, Folkestone and Hooton Park in May, Southwell in September and Hooton Park again in November.
It was during that same year, 1907, that Victor commenced training, originally based at Epsom Downs near the Derby Arms. He continued to take the occasional ride, recording a double at Hawthorn Hill on May 4, 1908 on Scafe Sole in the Subscribers’ Light-Weight Chase and Borough in the Farmers’ Cup Chase. They turned out to be his last two winners. He had his final mount when finishing last of three on World’s Desire in the National Hunt Flat Race at Harpenden on May 6, 1909.
It was during that same year, 1907, that Victor commenced training, originally based at Epsom Downs near the Derby Arms. He continued to take the occasional ride, recording a double at Hawthorn Hill on May 4, 1908 on Scafe Sole in the Subscribers’ Light-Weight Chase and Borough in the Farmers’ Cup Chase. They turned out to be his last two winners. He had his final mount when finishing last of three on World’s Desire in the National Hunt Flat Race at Harpenden on May 6, 1909.
In 1911 he relocated to Holly Lodge Stables at Kingswood, Epsom. In 1916 he trained Furore to win the Irish Derby. The following year Furore won the Cesarewitch, the first of Victor’s three winners in that race, the others being Arctic Star in 1928 and Punch in 1937.
In 1911 he relocated to Holly Lodge Stables at Kingswood, Epsom. In 1916 he trained Furore to win the Irish Derby. The following year Furore won the Cesarewitch, the first of Victor’s three winners in that race, the others being Arctic Star in 1928 and Punch in 1937.
The best hurdler he trained was Insurance. Victor saddled him to win three Flat races in 1930 including the Welsh St Leger, followed by a pair of novice hurdles in January and February 1931. However, Insurance’s owner, Dorothy Paget, then transferred him to Basil Briscoe at Longstowe, near Cambridge, and it was for Briscoe that Insurance won back-to-back Champion Hurdles in 1932 and 1933.
The best hurdler he trained was Insurance. Victor saddled him to win three Flat races in 1930 including the Welsh St Leger, followed by a pair of novice hurdles in January and February 1931. However, Insurance’s owner, Dorothy Paget, then transferred him to Basil Briscoe at Longstowe, near Cambridge, and it was for Briscoe that Insurance won back-to-back Champion Hurdles in 1932 and 1933.
Victor’s best chaser was Airgead Sios who landed three valuable chases in 1936 culminating with the Champion Chase at Liverpool, and in 1938 won the King George VI Chase.
Victor’s best chaser was Airgead Sios who landed three valuable chases in 1936 culminating with the Champion Chase at Liverpool, and in 1938 won the King George VI Chase.
His wife was the sister of National Hunt stalwart Percy Woodland and was a fine horsewoman in her own right, assisting her husband throughout his training career.
His wife was the sister of National Hunt stalwart Percy Woodland and was a fine horsewoman in her own right, assisting her husband throughout his training career.
Victor Tabor gave up training in 1943. He died on February 20, 1951, aged 77.
Victor Tabor gave up training in 1943. He died on February 20, 1951, aged 77.
1933
1933