A GREAT JOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 45, 23 February 1937, Page 5

A GREAT JOCKEY.

Fred Archer, greatest jockey of aH time, with the possible exception of G. Richards, died in tragic circumstances exactly 50 years ago. More than one in every three of the horses Archer rode was a winner. In England he rode in 8084 races, and won 2746. Eight times he topped the double century in a season. His record of 246 winners in 1885 has only once been beaten —by G. Richards, who rode 259 winners in 1933. Archer 'von the Derby five times, the St. Leger six times, the Two Thousand Guineas five times, the Oaks four times, and the One Thousand Guineas twice. At one time in his career Archer was worth more than £200,000. Unsuccessful speculations on the Stock Exchange reduced this to £fio.ooo at the time of his death. Archer contracted a chill, which was followed by congestion of the i lungs, and then fever. He became delirious. While his sister's back was turned, in the temporary absence of his nurse, he jumped out of bed. seized a! revolver, and blew out his brains. He was only 29, and was at the height of his career.