Brian Fletcher
Encyclopedia
Brian Fletcher is an English Jockey notable 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 19, in 1968 riding Red Alligator. He retired in 1976 with head injury. Apart from Ernie Piggott, (Lester Piggott
's grandfather) and George Stevens
(who won five times in the 19th century) Brian Fletcher is the only jockey to have won the Grand National three times. Winning the Scottish National in 1974. His winning, record time on Red Rum in the 1973 Grand National
was to stand for 17 years till beaten by Mr. Frisk ridden by Marcus Armitage.
. He now farms sheep and breeding Welsh Cobs on a 36 acres (145,687 m²) farm in Carmarthenshire, Wales. Since his move to Wales, Brian Fletcher takes part in Harness Racing
, winning driving Hendre Harrier in September 2004 at Ammanford and occasionally is invited as VIP to racing meets in the UK.
Red Rum
Red Rum was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse who achieved an unmatched historic treble when he won the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and also came second in the two intervening years...
to win the Grand National
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
in 1973 and 1974 and for second place in 1975. He first won the Grand National at the age of 19, in 1968 riding Red Alligator. He retired in 1976 with head injury. Apart from Ernie Piggott, (Lester Piggott
Lester Piggott
Lester Keith Piggott is a retired English professional jockey, popularly known as "The Long Fellow". With 4,493 career wins, including nine Epsom Derby victories, he is one of the most well-known English flat racing jockeys of all time....
's grandfather) and George Stevens
George Stevens
George Stevens was an American film director, producer, screenwriter and cinematographer.Among his most notable films were Diary of Anne Frank , nominated for Best Director, Giant , winner of Oscar for Best Director, Shane , Oscar nominated, and A Place in the Sun , winner of Oscar for Best...
(who won five times in the 19th century) Brian Fletcher is the only jockey to have won the Grand National three times. Winning the Scottish National in 1974. His winning, record time on Red Rum in the 1973 Grand National
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
was to stand for 17 years till beaten by Mr. Frisk ridden by Marcus Armitage.
Personal life
Fletcher was born and brought up in the Cockfield area of County DurhamCounty Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
. He now farms sheep and breeding Welsh Cobs on a 36 acres (145,687 m²) farm in Carmarthenshire, Wales. Since his move to Wales, Brian Fletcher takes part in Harness Racing
Harness racing
Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait . They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle is also conducted in Europe.-Breeds:...
, winning driving Hendre Harrier in September 2004 at Ammanford and occasionally is invited as VIP to racing meets in the UK.