Christopher Wakefield
c1800 - 1857
c1800 - 1857
Christopher, from Upwell, Norfolk, won the 1839 2,000 Guineas on Corsair. The year before he had won the Goodwood Cup on Harkaway and the Goodwood Stakes on Loutherbourg.
Christopher, from Upwell, Norfolk, won the 1839 2,000 Guineas on Corsair. The year before he had won the Goodwood Cup on Harkaway and the Goodwood Stakes on Loutherbourg.
On Friday 11 September 1857, two horses by the name of Sweet Briar made their way to the start for the final race of the day at the Weston Zoyland race meeting. The other runners were Blue Bell (the eventual winner), Brigliadore, Madam Landeau, Lunella, Bowstring, Catherine and Dwarf.
On Friday 11 September 1857, two horses by the name of Sweet Briar made their way to the start for the final race of the day at the Weston Zoyland race meeting. The other runners were Blue Bell (the eventual winner), Brigliadore, Madam Landeau, Lunella, Bowstring, Catherine and Dwarf.
Christopher Wakefield (known colloquially as The Old Vicar after the play The Vicar of Wakefield)) was aboard the three-year-old mare Sweet Briar: jockey Vivian rode the other horse of the same name and it was he who made the early running from Blue Bell and Catherine with the younger Sweet Briar several lengths behind.
Christopher Wakefield (known colloquially as The Old Vicar after the play The Vicar of Wakefield)) was aboard the three-year-old mare Sweet Briar: jockey Vivian rode the other horse of the same name and it was he who made the early running from Blue Bell and Catherine with the younger Sweet Briar several lengths behind.
Tragedy struck when Christopher made his move to join the leaders. Rounding a sharp turn, his right arm and leg came into contact with a solid post, sending the horse and its fifty-seven-year-old jockey crashing to the ground. Several people rushed to the spot and lifted him out of the way of the horses. One such helper failed to spot the aged Sweet Briar approaching which collided with him and fell. Jockey Vivian was thrown off to land virtually alongside Christopher.
Tragedy struck when Christopher made his move to join the leaders. Rounding a sharp turn, his right arm and leg came into contact with a solid post, sending the horse and its fifty-seven-year-old jockey crashing to the ground. Several people rushed to the spot and lifted him out of the way of the horses. One such helper failed to spot the aged Sweet Briar approaching which collided with him and fell. Jockey Vivian was thrown off to land virtually alongside Christopher.
'The Old Vicar' was taken to the Railway Hotel, Bridgwater, where he lingered until the early hours of Monday morning when he died from the effects of concussion of the brain, fracture of three ribs and his collarbone.
'The Old Vicar' was taken to the Railway Hotel, Bridgwater, where he lingered until the early hours of Monday morning when he died from the effects of concussion of the brain, fracture of three ribs and his collarbone.
A coroner's jury returned a verdict of 'Accidental death.'
A coroner's jury returned a verdict of 'Accidental death.'
He died an undischarged bankrupt.
He died an undischarged bankrupt.
He left behind a wife and 13 children: a collection made for them raised enough money for his widow to open a haberdasher's shop off the Brompton Road.
He left behind a wife and 13 children: a collection made for them raised enough money for his widow to open a haberdasher's shop off the Brompton Road.