Fred Vivian
Fred Vivian
Fred Vivian
1890-1946
1890-1946
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Northern-based Flat jockey Fred Vivian rode 24 winners in both 1905 and 1906. He then rode overseas for many years before returning to the British racing scene without success in 1930.
Northern-based Flat jockey Fred Vivian rode 24 winners in both 1905 and 1906. He then rode overseas for many years before returning to the British racing scene without success in 1930.
Alfred Harry Vivian, known as Fred, was born in 1890. He was apprenticed to Bob Armstrong, who trained at Penrith, in Cumberland and sent out 33 winners in 1905.
Alfred Harry Vivian, known as Fred, was born in 1890. He was apprenticed to Bob Armstrong, who trained at Penrith, in Cumberland and sent out 33 winners in 1905.
Fred made an inauspicious start to his riding career, finishing last of five on Hartpury in the Apprentices’ Selling Plate at Warwick on April 3, 1905. He rode his first winner at York on May 24 when Pretty Dick, trained by Armstrong, won the Melrose Handicap by a length. (This was a relatively minor five-furlong contest, rather than today’s 1m 6f race of that name, widely regarded as the three-year-olds’ Ebor.)
Fred made an inauspicious start to his riding career, finishing last of five on Hartpury in the Apprentices’ Selling Plate at Warwick on April 3, 1905. He rode his first winner at York on May 24 when Pretty Dick, trained by Armstrong, won the Melrose Handicap by a length. (This was a relatively minor five-furlong contest, rather than today’s 1m 6f race of that name, widely regarded as the three-year-olds’ Ebor.)
Fred achieved two doubles that year, at Derby and Thirsk, and won two good prizes at Liverpool’s November meeting, capturing the Croxteth Handicap on Otherwise for Bob Armstrong, and the Grosvenor Cup on Peter’s Pride for Robert Sherwood. He also finished second in that year’s Ayr Gold Cup when his mount Bibiani was beaten three-quarters of a length by Kilglass, the mount of Jack Jarvis.
Fred achieved two doubles that year, at Derby and Thirsk, and won two good prizes at Liverpool’s November meeting, capturing the Croxteth Handicap on Otherwise for Bob Armstrong, and the Grosvenor Cup on Peter’s Pride for Robert Sherwood. He also finished second in that year’s Ayr Gold Cup when his mount Bibiani was beaten three-quarters of a length by Kilglass, the mount of Jack Jarvis.
The winners came in a steady flow in 1906, starting with Lingy Moor in the Canwick Maiden Stakes at Lincoln on March 26, the second day of the new season. There were doubles at Bogside, Hamilton Park, Redcar and Ripon but no big race victories.
The winners came in a steady flow in 1906, starting with Lingy Moor in the Canwick Maiden Stakes at Lincoln on March 26, the second day of the new season. There were doubles at Bogside, Hamilton Park, Redcar and Ripon but no big race victories.
Fred’s last win was on King Sapphire in the Flixton Welter Handicap at Haydock Park on October 6, 1906. His last mount, Wild Ride, was unplaced in the Manchester November Handicap on November 24, the final day of the season.
Fred’s last win was on King Sapphire in the Flixton Welter Handicap at Haydock Park on October 6, 1906. His last mount, Wild Ride, was unplaced in the Manchester November Handicap on November 24, the final day of the season.
From thereon he rode abroad, and it was not until September 1930 that he returned to the British racing scene. He had a few mounts but failed to ride a winner. He did not ride in 1931 but took out a licence the following year and briefly tried again. His last effort was at Sandown Park on April 21, 1932 when Treloma finished unplaced in the Cobham Maiden Plate.
From thereon he rode abroad, and it was not until September 1930 that he returned to the British racing scene. He had a few mounts but failed to ride a winner. He did not ride in 1931 but took out a licence the following year and briefly tried again. His last effort was at Sandown Park on April 21, 1932 when Treloma finished unplaced in the Cobham Maiden Plate.
Fred Vivian died in 1946.
Fred Vivian died in 1946.
Fred's first winner, Pretty Dick, came at York on May 24 1905.
Fred's first winner, Pretty Dick, came at York on May 24 1905.