Back in the day, professional horse racing jockeys started young.
It was a similar story for Brian Fletcher, he was just 16 when he started his career with Denys Smith located in Bishop Aukland in County Durham. In his first season he had 20 rides and achieved 3 wins.
Fletcher started riding in 1964.
It was a changing time. The Labour Party led by Harold Wilson had won the general election ending 13 years of Conservative rule, trade deficits and Beatlemania swept the world.
It wasn’t just Fletcher having a Hard Day’s Night.
Now, I know many readers won’t have first-hand experience of the 1960s but sports fans and Fletcher have a connection with one horse race which needs little introduction.
The Aintree Grand National.
In many respects these were the halcyon days. One horse, the astounding Red Rum, trained by Ginger McCain. However, Fletcher story in the Grand National started in 1967 when riding Red Alligator (30/1) who finished a gallant third behind another very famous winner in Foinavon who won at 100/1.
Fletcher wouldn’t have to wait long for his first success in the Aintree Grand National.
1968 – Red Alligator Wins The Grand National:
Red Alligator, a son of Magic Red, out of the mare Miss Alligator, made it second time lucky for him and Fletcher with a 20-length victory over Moidore’s Token, while Different Class finished third.
The nine-year-old gelding won the 122nd Grand National at odds of 100/7. In the ownership of John Manners. A local pub near to trainer Denys Smith was named Red Alligator to celebrate his victory.
Brian Fletcher was just 19 years of age, although not the youngest winner of the National which is noted by Bruce Hobbs (1938) who was just 17.
Fletcher and Red Alligator would defend their title in 1969 but to no avail when the 13/2f (carrying 10lb extra for his win) fell at the 19th fence.
In 1970, the partnership returned for a third try but this time they fell at the 11th fence.
Brian Fletcher was gaining valuable experience in the most famous steeplechase of them all but he would have to wait for his next, most illustrious partnership.
In 1971, he rode ten-year-old The Inventor a 20/1 shot who refused at the 27 fence.
With no ride the following year, he was waiting for a horse to put him back in the limelight, and little did he know at this time it would change his life.
Red Rum: 1973, 1974 & 1977.
If you needed a reminder, those were the years Red Rum won the Aintree Grand National. No other horse has won the National three times and ‘Rummy’ would transform the lives of trainer Ginger McCain, Brian Fletcher & owner Noel Le Mare.
Not forgetting Tommy Stack (1977).
1973 –
The first win for the partnership and probably the most spectacular of all Red Rum’s victories beating the mighty Crisp, an epic contest, which saw Fletcher finish well to catch the Australia horse by three quarters of a length. Known as ‘The Black Kangeroo’ Richard Pitman’s mount carried 12 stones, while Red Rum 10 stone 5lbs. At one point, Crisp was leading by a distance (30+ lengths). With a 30-length lead at the last fence, it seemed impossible Red Rum could catch the Australian super star. He won in the last few strides for a very unlikely victory. The third placed, L’Escargot, went on to win the 1975 Grand National.
Crisp is known as the unluckiest horse in the race’s history.
The time of 9m 1.9s was a course record until 1990 (Mr Frisk).
It is considered among the ‘Greatest Nationals’ of all time.
Red Rum 9/1 1st
Crisp 9/1 2nd
L’Escargot 11/1 3rd
Dist: 3/4, 25,
1974 –
After his first win, Red Rum would contest his National title under a weight of 12 stone. It proved an easy success for the nine-year-old gelding who won at odds of 11/1 by seven lengths ridden by Brian Fletcher who stood up in his irons and saluted the crowd. The commentary given so elegantly by Sir Peter O’Sullevan CBE (The Voice of Racing).
Noel Le Mare, dressed elegantly in bowler hat and brown overcoat standing next to him his wife dressed in pink with a white hat said: ‘[Red Rum] he made up his mind before the canal turn, it’s time for me to go…’
‘All this is due to the trainer, jockey and horse…’
Fletcher said: ‘Anyone can ride a horse like that. He’s a great horse.’
Red Rum 11/1 1st
L’Escagot 17/2 2nd
Charles Dickens 50/1 3rd
Dist: 7, hd,
1977 –
A record breaker!
Red Rum, after finishing a gallant runner-up in 1975 and 1976, won the News of the World Grand National in 1977. The 131st renewal would be a memorable day for Red Rum, but this time ridden by Tommy Stack at odds of 9/1jf.
At the age of 12 many thought ‘Rummy’ was too old to win!
However, it should be noted that while Brian Fletcher was jockey for Red Rum in 1975 he was replaced in 1976/1977 by Irish man Tommy Stack.
1976 Grand National, Brian Fletcher finished third place on Eyecatcher (28/1).
Take a look at Brian Fletcher’s Aintree Grand National rides:
1967 Red Alligator (30/1) 3rd
1968 Red Alligator (100/7) 1st
1969 Red Alligator (13/2) Fell (19th fence)
1970 Red Alligator (13/1) Fell (13th fence)
1971 The Inventor (20/1) Refused (27th fence)
1972 No ride
1973 Red Rum (9/1) 1st
1974 Red Rum (11/1) 1st
1975 Red Rum (7/2) 2nd
1976 Eyecatcher (28/1) 3rd
Brian Fletcher retired from race riding in 1976. For a professional jockey he had a relatively short career of ten years. However, his performance in the Aintree Grand National is one which exemplifies a true talent. In nine races he achieved 3 wins, 1 second and 2 third places. It is unlikely any jockey will contest such performances. His association with Red Alligator, Red Rum and trainers Denys Smith, Ginger McCain, owners Noel Le Mare and John Manners saw him well.
Fletcher passed away in 2017 at the age of 69.