Fergie Sutherland
| Fergie Sutherland | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Hennessy Gold Cup (1996) |
| Significant horses | |
| A.20 Tournella Fox King Go Go Gallant Tempo Pancho's Tango Imperial Call | |
Fergus "Fergie" Sutherland was an
Early life
Sutherland was named after Fergus Bowes-Lyon, a brother of the Queen Mother who was killed during the Battle of Loos; Bowes-Lyon had been a friend of Sutherland's father Arthur.[2]
Although Sutherland was born in London he spent most of his childhood in Scotland near the town of Peebles.[3] He spent his summers at the Somerset seaside village of Porlock where prominent trainer Dick Hern taught him how to ride.[4]
Military career
He received his education at Eton and Sandhurst. He attained the rank of captain and was posted to the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards. During service with the regiment in the Korean War he lost his left leg in an explosion.[2] Sutherland later recounted the event: "Going up a hill, one of the four troops I was with tripped the wire of a landmine and set off the blast. I was the only one badly injured". A soldier who was with him declared 'You're OK, Mr Fergie, it's only the leg'. "I knew that because I had already checked".[2]
After a period of convalescence Sutherland was posted to Egypt.[3]
He refused to allow his disability to affect his quality of life and commissioned artificial legs for specific activities – for instance, he had different legs for horse riding, shooting and dancing.[2]
Horse training
In 1957 he began his horse training career at Carlburg Stables in
In 1967 Sutherland moved to County Cork in Ireland, when he heard his mother was contemplating selling Aghinagh House in Killinardrish.[3] He transformed the dairy and pig farm into one of the country’s most successful small racing stables.[2]
Imperial Call
After an impressive start to the 1996 racing season, Imperial Call ridden by Wexford born Jockey Conor O'Dwyer, beat Master Oats by six lengths to win the Hennessy at Leopardstown. Later that year he captured the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. He was Sutherland's first runner at the festival and became the first Irish-trained horse since Dawn Run ten years previously to capture the "blue riband event".[7]
He retired in 1996 but briefly resumed training for two years in 2000.[3] Sutherland was awarded Irish Horse Racing Personality of the Year in 1996.[3]
During his retirement he enjoyed shooting and occasionally fishing.[3]
Personal life
In April 1954 Sutherland married Judy Ranger in London. The reception was held in The Savoy.[8] The couple had four children. After a brief second marriage he married for a third time to Ann. The marriage produced one daughter.[2]
Death
He died on 31 October 2012 at the Marymount Hospice in County Cork.[9]
References
- ^ Owen, Garry. "CALL TO ARMS; I'll Imperial leather 'em says Scots ace Fergie". Daily Record (Scotland). Retrieved 19 January 2013.
proudly calling himself an Irishman,
- ^ a b c d e f g "Fergie Sutherland". Irish Independent. 3 December 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
- ^ Herald Scotland. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
- ^ a b Owen, Gary. "CALL TO ARMS; I'll Imperial leather 'em says Scots ace Fergie". Daily Record (Scotland).
- ^ Jennings, David. "Imperial Call trainer Sutherland dies at 81". Racing Post. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
- ISBN 1-873626-15-0.
- ^ Edmonson, Richard (15 March 1996). "Imperial Call sweeps to victory". The Independent. London.
- Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
- ^ Keane, Pat (November 2012). "Imperial Call's legendary trainer Fergie Sutherland passes away". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 22 January 2013.