Fred Watson
Fred Watson
Fred Watson
National Hunt jockey Fred Watson was born in New Seaham, County Durham. On leaving school he joined Dobson Peacock’s stable at Middleham where he served his apprenticeship.
National Hunt jockey Fred Watson was born in New Seaham, County Durham. On leaving school he joined Dobson Peacock’s stable at Middleham where he served his apprenticeship.
He was later associated with various southern yards, including those of Sir Robert Wilmot, George Duller and Aston-on-Trent trainer Denis Young, before becoming private trainer to Joseph Lilley’s stable at Duffield Bank, Derbyshire. Mr Lilley held the trainer’s licence but Fred supervised the actual training.
He was later associated with various southern yards, including those of Sir Robert Wilmot, George Duller and Aston-on-Trent trainer Denis Young, before becoming private trainer to Joseph Lilley’s stable at Duffield Bank, Derbyshire. Mr Lilley held the trainer’s licence but Fred supervised the actual training.
He obtained a jockey’s licence in 1936 and rode his first winner on a four-year-old filly named Oi, trained by Denis Young, in the Marston Selling Hurdle at Uttoxeter on March 3, 1936. Later that month he rode his first winner for Joseph Lilley on Traveller in the Eden Novices’ Chase at Sedgefield, then won on him again next time out at Market Rasen on Easter Monday.
He obtained a jockey’s licence in 1936 and rode his first winner on a four-year-old filly named Oi, trained by Denis Young, in the Marston Selling Hurdle at Uttoxeter on March 3, 1936. Later that month he rode his first winner for Joseph Lilley on Traveller in the Eden Novices’ Chase at Sedgefield, then won on him again next time out at Market Rasen on Easter Monday.
Fred trained a dozen winners for Mr Lilley during the 1936/37 season, including two more with Traveller, on whom he landed a selling chase at Uttoxeter in March and the Legsby Handicap Chase back at Market Rasen on Easter Monday. Those would be the last wins of his brief career as a jockey.
Fred trained a dozen winners for Mr Lilley during the 1936/37 season, including two more with Traveller, on whom he landed a selling chase at Uttoxeter in March and the Legsby Handicap Chase back at Market Rasen on Easter Monday. Those would be the last wins of his brief career as a jockey.
At Hexham on Whit Monday, May 17, 1937, he rode in the first two races, being left at the start on Tiffany in the Causey Hill Selling Hurdle, then coming home last of three finishers on Montclair in the Watch Currock Optional Selling Chase. His mother and brother had gone to Hexham that day to see him ride. When he spoke with his mother after the second race he complained of being in pain.
At Hexham on Whit Monday, May 17, 1937, he rode in the first two races, being left at the start on Tiffany in the Causey Hill Selling Hurdle, then coming home last of three finishers on Montclair in the Watch Currock Optional Selling Chase. His mother and brother had gone to Hexham that day to see him ride. When he spoke with his mother after the second race he complained of being in pain.
Back in the weighing room he remarked to his fellow jockeys, “This is the last time I will ever ride.” Minutes later he collapsed. He was immediately taken to the racecourse hospital where he died. He was 28.
Back in the weighing room he remarked to his fellow jockeys, “This is the last time I will ever ride.” Minutes later he collapsed. He was immediately taken to the racecourse hospital where he died. He was 28.
His funeral took place the following weekend at the cemetery at Seaham Harbour.
His funeral took place the following weekend at the cemetery at Seaham Harbour.
