Fred Archer Commemoration statue
One of the greatest flat-race jockeys of all time, Fred Archer, 'The Tinman', was a legend in his time (1857 - 1886) and is one of our first sporting heroes. He won a remarkable 1 in 3 races during his 17 year racing life, a champion jockey for 13 years, winning 2748 races, with 21 classic wins, including the Derby 5 times, riding 246 winners in 1885 alone. He tragically shot himself when he was only 29.
Unusually tall for a jockey at 5ft 10inches Archer was constantly trying to keep his riding weight down to 8 stone, which, combined with his irreconcilable loss of his young wife, was one of the reasons that led to his suicide while battling with a typhoid fever. Archer had a remarkable competitive nature and will to win, and whilst he rode for the elite, such as Prince of Wales (King Edward VII), Dukes of Westminster, Hamilton and Portland, Lord Falmouth and Lord Hastings, he was a people’s man and idolised wherever he went.
A bronze statue will be created to commemorate this extraordinary sporting hero. The title of the statue will be : “The Tinman - too tall for a jockey?” and will stand life-size at 5 foot 10 inches, positioned at ground level, so visitors can appreciate just how exceptionally tall Archer was for a jockey. The site location is close to the All Saints’ Church where Archer was married and also had his funeral. This project will be a pre-cursor to a film being developed “The Tinman”. Fred Archer’s story is extraordinary and one which will be played out in a high-octane racing film uncovering the swift and exceptional life of this remarkable sporting figure during the “sport of kings” heyday of the late 1800s.
Sponsors are sought to share in this commemoration to deliver the production of this stunning life-size full-length bronze sculpture of a sporting legend and one of the greatest flat-race jockeys of all time, Fred Archer. The statue will be located at the new £15m National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art at Palace House, Newmarket.
The Tinman Committee is a group of well-known figures from the racing fraternity, who fully support this Fred Archer Commemoration Statue Project. The organisation is founded by Fred Archer’s great grand-son, Alex Tosetti, and includes: Brough Scott, Lester Piggott, Nick Luck, Jilly Cooper, John Berry, Graham Snelling, Kate Hills, James Fanshawe, Angus Loughran, Tim Hailstone, Edward Gillespie, Steven Blake, Sir Mark Prescott, Tim Cox.
Through this project, the Committee wishes to celebrate the racing tradition and emphasise the sporting prowess of characters such as Fred Archer for future generations to enjoy. Alex Tosetti is also a patron of the Fred Archer Racing syndicate run by James Fanshawe at Pegasus Stables which is also helping to raise the profile of this great legend.
Individuals or organisations are sought to contribute to all or part of the funding for this project. Only £45,000 is needed for the production and installation of the bronze sculpture. Pledges need to be submitted to the Committee by 31st July 2017. The Committee have already confirmed interest from established sculptors in the industry who are ready to commence the project and produce this bronze of national sporting importance. The statue will be located at the new National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art. The statue sponsors / funders will be named on a plaque at ground level.
For more information or to pledge funding support contact
Alex Tosetti on 07803 627 116
© Archersup Productions Ltd Spring 2015 registered company 03693506