Fred Archer Tour

Fred Archer is renowned for being the first celebrity jockey, having ridden nearly 3,000 winners between 1870 and 1886 and being Champion Jockey for 13 successive years. Find out about this racing legend’s story which began in Newmarket in 1868 and tragically ended in 1886 when Archer took his own life aged just 29 years.

Your day begins with a guided tour of Newmarket where you will see All Saints Church where Fred Archer married his sweetheart Helen Rose Dawson as well as Newmarket Cemetery where Archer’s stone cross stands, marking the grave where he is buried alongside his wife and son. Then it is up to the famed Newmarket training grounds where Archer, and many legends since, would have practiced each morning. See some of the town’s equine residents going about their daily exercise and learn about the history of the gallops, how they came to be and their use today.

After morning coffee, it is off to visit Pegasus Stables, formerly Falmouth House, which Archer built in 1884, named after his principal patron, Lord Falmouth. Enjoy a tour of this historic yard by trainer, James Fanshawe, who has been training there since 1988.

Next visit Heath House, the former home of the highly regarded trainer Matthew Dawson where Archer began his apprenticeship at the tender age of 11 years. Enjoy a behind the scenes tour with another legend, Sir Mark Prescott who has been training from this historic yard since 1970.

Return to the National Horseracing Museum where you can see the memorabilia relating to Fred Archer including the very weapon that terminated his life at the tender age of 29 years.

Afterwards, use your £6 voucher towards lunch in the Tack Room, the museum’s onsite restaurant, and explore the rest of this impressive five-acre site. Find out more about the history of racing through a series of interactive exhibitions, see more racing legends in the QIPCO Hall of Fame, admire the British Sporting Art Trust’s collection of paintings and see the resident ex-racehorses as they retrain for their next careers.

Joining this special tour will be Fred Archer’s Great Granddaughter, Diana Reynolds, who will be able to add her own personal insights and be available to speak with during the refreshment break. Diana is also author of “Fred Archer Just One More Smile” which beautifully tells the tragic love story of Fred and Helen Archer. Complimentary signed copies will be available at the end of the tour.