Fred Barrett

Who was Fred Barrett?

Frederick John "Fred" Barrett was an English horse racing jockey. His greatest success came in 1888, when he won the Epsom Derby and the Jockeys' Championship.

His career is summed up by two top class racehorses - Ayrshire and Donovan - which he rode in their championship years of 1888 and 1889.

He rode Ayrshire in the 1888 Derby, even though the veteran John Osborne had ridden him to victory in the 2,000 Guineas. He won, but only after nearly throwing the race away. While going clear, he jabbed Ayrshire on one side only with his spurs, causing the horse to veer wildly and nearly give the race away.

The same year, he began his association with Donovan, winning the Norfolk Stakes and a Dewhurst Stakes/Middle Park Stakes double at Newmarket. Donovan finished the year champion juvenile. Much was therefore expected of him as a three year old, and it was with great hopes of success that Barrett took the ride on him in the first colts' classic of the following season - the 2,000 Guineas. By all reports, he took it too easily on the colt, resulting in a defeat which ultimately cost him the Triple Crown.