The rise and untimely fall of Fred ‘the Tin Man’ Archer

Fred Archer was born on the 11 January 1857 in Cheltenham. His father won the Grand National steeplechase on Little Charlie in 1842. Fred learnt to ride at a young age and by the time he was 8 years old, he had already been riding in pony and donkey races.

Fred Archer was apprenticed to Matthew Dawson at Heath House in Newmarket when he was 10 years old. Matthew and his wife took him in when other boys bullied him. Fred won his first race under Jockey Club rules at Chesterfield racecourse on Atholl Daisy at 12 years of age.

Fred Archer won his first classic on Salvanos in the Cesarewitch in 1872. Tom French died in that year. Fred received more rides and rode 107 winners in his apprenticeship. In 1874 he won the 2,000 Guineas on Atlantic and the St Leger on Silvio for Lord Falmouth. He won 1, 000 Guines and Oaks double on Spinaway in 1975 and St. Legers on both Sil Vio and Wheel Of Fortune in 1978. Wheel of Fortune broke down in York two days after the Yorkshire Oaks.

Fred Archer was a jockey. He was overweight and unhealthy. His weight reached 8st 10lbs (122 lbs) because of Turkish baths and alkaline medicines. Fred was unable to lose weight through exercise.

Fred Archer won the 1880 Derby. He married his trainer's niece, Rose Dawson, in January 1883 in Newmarket. Their son, William, died at birth. Rose gave birth to a daughter, Nellie, who died of convulsions after the birth of her daughter. Fred found out by telegram after riding Thebais to victory in the Liverpool Cup.

Fred Archer was a successful jockey. He was Champion Jockey between 1874 and 1886. Falmouth Lodge and Stables, now Pegasus Stable, was built by Archer in 1882. Fred made lots of investments but squandered around £250,000 by the time of his death.

Fred Archer was 29 when he committed suicide. He had a high fever and shot himself in the neck. His wife died two years earlier. A fortune of £66,662 was left for his daughter Nellie. He was buried in Newmarket Cemetery. The National Horse Racing Museum in N.M. has his gun he shot with. It is also the place where you can see his horse racing memorabilia. There is a horse race museum in his honor. They have a museum with his saddle.

Fred Archer's ghost is said to ride a light grey horse over Newmarket Heath.