Fred Webb
1853 – 1917
1853 – 1917
Lightweight Frederick Edward Webb was born at Barham, Suffolk, on January 25, 1853, and was the brother of George William Webb (1857-1931), the English right-handed batsman who played cricket for Kent. He was also the nephew of the highly respected Tom Brown, the Graham House trainer.
Lightweight Frederick Edward Webb was born at Barham, Suffolk, on January 25, 1853, and was the brother of George William Webb (1857-1931), the English right-handed batsman who played cricket for Kent. He was also the nephew of the highly respected Tom Brown, the Graham House trainer.
Under his uncle’s tutelage, Fred began riding almost before he could walk eventually becoming apprenticed to Matthew Dawson at Heath House, Newmarket, where he became second jockey in 1863.
Under his uncle’s tutelage, Fred began riding almost before he could walk eventually becoming apprenticed to Matthew Dawson at Heath House, Newmarket, where he became second jockey in 1863.
He won 27 races at the age of 16, including the Cesarewitch on Cherie (1869) and the Stewards’ Cup on Fichu in the same year.
He won 27 races at the age of 16, including the Cesarewitch on Cherie (1869) and the Stewards’ Cup on Fichu in the same year.
An extremely powerful jockey, standing 5ft 5ins., he was generally acknowledged to be the strongest finisher of his day. He rode two Classic winners, taking the 1873 Derby aboard Doncaster and the 1881 2,000 Guineas on Peregrine.
An extremely powerful jockey, standing 5ft 5ins., he was generally acknowledged to be the strongest finisher of his day. He rode two Classic winners, taking the 1873 Derby aboard Doncaster and the 1881 2,000 Guineas on Peregrine.
Webb had been fortunate to find himself riding Doncaster – James Snowden was originally engaged to ride but was too drunk to do so. In 1877 he won the Doncaster and Goodwood Cups on Hampton.
Webb had been fortunate to find himself riding Doncaster – James Snowden was originally engaged to ride but was too drunk to do so. In 1877 he won the Doncaster and Goodwood Cups on Hampton.
Fred Webb was the unwitting fall-guy in the 1885 Derby. Fred Archer had won the Two Thousand Guineas on Paradox, but it had taken one of his most inspired rides so to do. Archer knew that Paradox would not race once in front – the moment he saw daylight he would drop his bit and stop running. The problem – for Archer – was that Tom Cannon, riding Crafton, knew this as well – and Archer knew he knew it. Cannon was determined that Paradox should at some stage be marooned in front and, despite Archer’s best efforts, he was, at the Dip, left in front. However, Cannon, as good as he was, was no Archer, who somehow kept the favourite in front to win by a head.
Fred Webb was the unwitting fall-guy in the 1885 Derby. Fred Archer had won the Two Thousand Guineas on Paradox, but it had taken one of his most inspired rides so to do. Archer knew that Paradox would not race once in front – the moment he saw daylight he would drop his bit and stop running. The problem – for Archer – was that Tom Cannon, riding Crafton, knew this as well – and Archer knew he knew it. Cannon was determined that Paradox should at some stage be marooned in front and, despite Archer’s best efforts, he was, at the Dip, left in front. However, Cannon, as good as he was, was no Archer, who somehow kept the favourite in front to win by a head.
For the Derby in which Paradox was entered, Archer was claimed by Lord Hastings to ride Melton and Tom Cannon was claimed for Crafton. This left trainer John Porter without a jockey for Paradox, who needed such specialized riding. Porter booked Fred, and briefed him carefully about the horse’s peculiarities and warned him of the danger represented by Archer.
For the Derby in which Paradox was entered, Archer was claimed by Lord Hastings to ride Melton and Tom Cannon was claimed for Crafton. This left trainer John Porter without a jockey for Paradox, who needed such specialized riding. Porter booked Fred, and briefed him carefully about the horse’s peculiarities and warned him of the danger represented by Archer.
On the day, rumours abounded; it was said that Fred Webb himself had been got at, and Paradox drifted out to 6/1. Archer and Melton were favourite at 75-40. Before Fred went out to ride, Mr Cloete, the horse’s owner, told him that if he had been offered anything to throw the race he would double it if he won.
On the day, rumours abounded; it was said that Fred Webb himself had been got at, and Paradox drifted out to 6/1. Archer and Melton were favourite at 75-40. Before Fred went out to ride, Mr Cloete, the horse’s owner, told him that if he had been offered anything to throw the race he would double it if he won.
The race was started by Henry Custance, the ex-jockey, and Archer was purposefully slowly away. None of the other colts could live with Paradox and Fred found himself exactly where he didn’t want to be – well clear of the field and looking as though he would come home alone. Immediately the horse dropped his bit and began to shorten his stride, but Archer, creeping ever closer, still did not make his move. Then, with fifty yards to go, Archer pounced. Melton just went ahead but Paradox, now with company, began to run on again and got his head back in front. Archer raised his whip and delivered two tremendous stokes to Melton, who shot forward. The horses crossed the line locked together. Fred was estatic, telling a stable lad “I think I just got there.” Then the numbers were called and someone shouted “You’re second, Fred.” Thirty years later the stable lad said he could still clearly remember the look on Fred’s face when he heard those words.
The race was started by Henry Custance, the ex-jockey, and Archer was purposefully slowly away. None of the other colts could live with Paradox and Fred found himself exactly where he didn’t want to be – well clear of the field and looking as though he would come home alone. Immediately the horse dropped his bit and began to shorten his stride, but Archer, creeping ever closer, still did not make his move. Then, with fifty yards to go, Archer pounced. Melton just went ahead but Paradox, now with company, began to run on again and got his head back in front. Archer raised his whip and delivered two tremendous stokes to Melton, who shot forward. The horses crossed the line locked together. Fred was estatic, telling a stable lad “I think I just got there.” Then the numbers were called and someone shouted “You’re second, Fred.” Thirty years later the stable lad said he could still clearly remember the look on Fred’s face when he heard those words.
It was not the first time that Fred had been trumped by Archer. Before the 1881 Derby, Archer approached Mr Peck, the owner of Peregrine, offering to ride the horse. Peck informed Archer that Fred Webb had been engaged to ride. Archer replied “Well, give Webb a thousand and put me up.’ To his cost, Peck declined and watched mortified as Archer, on Iroquois, beat Fred by a neck.
It was not the first time that Fred had been trumped by Archer. Before the 1881 Derby, Archer approached Mr Peck, the owner of Peregrine, offering to ride the horse. Peck informed Archer that Fred Webb had been engaged to ride. Archer replied “Well, give Webb a thousand and put me up.’ To his cost, Peck declined and watched mortified as Archer, on Iroquois, beat Fred by a neck.
They were, in fact, great friends. Fred’s long face and prominent nose hid a sharp sense of humour – he once said of Archer “It is not wasting that makes Archer so thin and worn. He wears that worried look because he cannot ride two winners in one race.”
They were, in fact, great friends. Fred’s long face and prominent nose hid a sharp sense of humour – he once said of Archer “It is not wasting that makes Archer so thin and worn. He wears that worried look because he cannot ride two winners in one race.”
Increasing weight forced him to give up riding in 1895 and he turned to training, working from Ethetreda House in Newmarket. Among his famous patrons he numbered Lord Shrewsbury and Lillie Langtry, for whom he trained several winners with horses she imported from Australia. He finished his career training in Hungary for Prince Thurn.
Increasing weight forced him to give up riding in 1895 and he turned to training, working from Ethetreda House in Newmarket. Among his famous patrons he numbered Lord Shrewsbury and Lillie Langtry, for whom he trained several winners with horses she imported from Australia. He finished his career training in Hungary for Prince Thurn.
On 27 March 1917, Fred Webb, then living in straitened circumstances, died in Eastburne of diabetes.
On 27 March 1917, Fred Webb, then living in straitened circumstances, died in Eastburne of diabetes.
He was 64 and left £4,519.
He was 64 and left £4,519.
Fred was a fine piano player and always claimed to be a decent vocalist. As a lad he often sung with the choir at the concerts at Crystal Palace. He was very good at athletics and was a grand cross-country rider.
Fred was a fine piano player and always claimed to be a decent vocalist. As a lad he often sung with the choir at the concerts at Crystal Palace. He was very good at athletics and was a grand cross-country rider.
In 1881 he rode The Scot in Liverpool’s Grand National.
In 1881 he rode The Scot in Liverpool’s Grand National.
He married Miss Jefferson, daughter of the landlord of the White Horse in Brixton, London.
He married Miss Jefferson, daughter of the landlord of the White Horse in Brixton, London.
As a yearling, Derby winner Doncaster had been sold as All Heart and, later, as No Peel.
As a yearling, Derby winner Doncaster had been sold as All Heart and, later, as No Peel.
Fred won the 1892 German Derby riding Espoir, owned by General von Kodolitsch and trained by Herbert Reeves.
Fred won the 1892 German Derby riding Espoir, owned by General von Kodolitsch and trained by Herbert Reeves.