Hubbry Logo
Brian FletcherBrian FletcherMain
Open search
Brian Fletcher
Community hub
Brian Fletcher
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Brian Fletcher
Brian Fletcher
Brian Fletcher
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Brian Fletcher (18 May 1947 – 11 January 2017)[1] was an English jockey known for riding the horse Red Rum to win the Grand National in 1973 and 1974 and for second place in 1975. He first won the Grand National at the age of 20, in 1968 riding Red Alligator.

Key Information

Horse racing career

[edit]

Fletcher began his horse racing career aged 16 with trainer Denys Smith.[2] In 1967, Fletcher rode Red Alligator in the 1967 Grand National, finishing third. The next year, Fletcher rode Red Alligator and won the Grand National. The day before, Fletcher had had a fall and most fellow jockeys had not expected him to race in the event.[3][4][5] After missing 10 months after a head injury sustained in 1972, Fletcher returned to horse racing. He won the 1973 and 1974 Grand Nationals riding Red Rum.[2] His record winning time on Red Rum in the 1973 Grand National was to stand for 17 years till beaten by Mr Frisk ridden by Marcus Armytage,[6][7] and apart from Ernie Piggott, (Lester Piggott's grandfather) and George Stevens (who won five times in the 19th century), Fletcher is the only jockey to have won the Grand National three times.[8] In 1974, Fletcher also won the Scottish Grand National riding Red Rum, and Fletcher came second to Josh Gifford in the jockeys' title race.[5] In 1976, Fletcher had a dispute with Red Rum's trainer Ginger McCain,[2][9] and rode the 1976 Grand National on Eyecatcher, finishing third.[2] He retired in 1976.[2]

Personal life and death

[edit]

Fletcher was born and brought up in Cockfield, County Durham. He later farmed sheep and bred Welsh Cobs on a 36-acre (150,000 m2) farm in Carmarthenshire, Wales.[10] After his move to Wales, Fletcher took part in Harness Racing, winning driving Hendre Harrier in September 2004 at Ammanford[11] and was occasionally invited as VIP to racing meets in the UK.[12]

Fletcher died on 11 January 2017 at the age of 69. He had been ill for some time.[2][3][5]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Brian Fletcher

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Brian Fletcher was an English professional jump jockey best known for winning the Grand National three times, a rare achievement that placed him among the most successful riders in the race's history. He secured his first victory in 1968 aboard Red Alligator and then guided the iconic Red Rum to triumphs in 1973 and 1974, forming a celebrated partnership that helped cement Red Rum's legendary status. Peers praised his skill, bravery, and quiet professionalism, with contemporaries describing him as an "excellent horseman" who "quietly got the job done" despite the dangers of the era's racing. Fletcher's career began in his teens and was centered in northern England, where he demonstrated remarkable resilience on demanding courses. His 1973 Grand National win on Red Rum was particularly dramatic, as he made an early move to overhaul a leading Crisp in the closing stages after trailing significantly at the final fence. He also claimed the Scottish Grand National in 1974 on Red Rum and finished runner-up in the jockeys' championship. Repeated head injuries ultimately shortened his time in the saddle, leading to retirement in the mid-1970s. Widely regarded as an "unsung hero" of National Hunt racing whose contributions helped elevate the sport's profile, Fletcher died in January 2017 at the age of 69.

Early life

Birth and origins

Brian Fletcher was born on 18 May 1947 in Cockfield, County Durham, England. Little detailed information is publicly available about his early life before he began his career as a jump jockey in his teens in northern England.

Career

Brian Fletcher began his career as a National Hunt jockey in his teens, apprenticed to trainer Denys Smith in northern England. He established himself on the demanding northern racing circuit, known for requiring exceptional bravery and skill during an era of challenging courses and frequent injuries. His most notable achievements came in the Grand National at Aintree. He first won the race in 1968 aboard Red Alligator at the age of 20, despite suffering a concussion from a fall the previous day. He later formed a celebrated partnership with Red Rum, trained by Ginger McCain, winning the Grand National in 1973 (in a dramatic late surge to overtake Crisp after trailing by around 20 lengths at the final fence) and again in 1974. His full Grand National record includes a third place on Red Alligator in 1967, second on Red Rum in 1975, and third on Eyecatcher in 1976. Beyond the Grand National, Fletcher won the Scottish Grand National in 1974 on Red Rum and finished runner-up in the jockeys' championship that year. Peers described him as an excellent horseman with quiet professionalism and tactical judgement, who "quietly got the job done" despite the risks. Fletcher's career was impacted by repeated head injuries, including a 10-month absence following a serious injury in 1972. These injuries contributed to his retirement in 1976 following a dispute with trainer Ginger McCain. After retiring from racing, Fletcher moved to a 36-acre farm in Carmarthenshire, Wales, where he farmed sheep, bred Welsh Cobs, and later participated in harness racing, notably winning with Hendre Harrier in 2004. No filmography credits in camera, electrical, or other production departments are known for Brian Fletcher, the Grand National-winning jockey. The previous content referred to a different individual with the same name.
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.