Racecourse tragedy hits Grovetown family

ROBYN PARKES

Allan Mitchell Herd, son of Alexander and Ann Herd was born in Dundee, Scotland in 1865.   The family emigrated to New Zealand sometime between 1865 and 1868 and settled in Grovetown, Marlborough where Alexander operated a blacksmith business.

Allan, the couples fourth child appears to have been a feisty youngster having several brushes with the law.  At age 18 he with two other young men was charged under the Public Works Act for “furiously riding on a public road running between Grovetown and Spring Creek”.   It transpired that a trotting match took place between two well-known mares named Lady Glitters and Fanny, ridden by William Robinson and John Brydon with Allan riding along as referee.  Following a short court case the charges were dismissed.

Young Allan’s passion was horses, and he quickly established himself as a worthy opponent on the racecourse as a cross-country jockey.   His reputation grew for being a rider that no other jockey in the Colony could match.   It was said that he could ride any horse given to him and was fair, trustworthy, fearless and plucky.

In March 1887 Herd rode at the Opaki races on board ‘Cribbage’ who, during a preliminary canter fell, landing on Allan. The fall left him shaken and bruised.

The following week he travelled to Nelson for the two-day race meet at Richmond Park beginning on 23 March. Allan was advised by friends not to ride following the accident of only a week ago but, being anxious to be in the saddle he ignored the advice.

The first day of the races he rode Freebooter with no incidents but did comment to fellow jockeys that he did not feel right, and his neck was still sore and stiff from the fall the previous week.

The second day of racing began with excitement and promise with all expecting to experience a great day. The first race was the Hurdles in which Herd was again riding Freebooter. All was going well until a couple of jumps from the end of the race when the horse fell, dislodging Allan. He was seen to get up immediately, caught his horse and remounted but again came off showing signs of confusion and disorientation.

He was quickly attended to by Drs Cressey and Pearless and was removed to the Railway Hotel. A diagnosis of a serious brain concussion was given and unfortunately, he never regained consciousness and died in the early hours of the evening, aged just 23 years old.

The inquest was held within a few days and the correct story shed light on what happened. Alfred Shearsby, a fellow jockey, related that Allan had been feeling a bit off, but chose to race. Freebooter clipped the heels of the horse in front of him causing it to stumble, resulting in Allan falling and being dragged a few yards. The verdict from inquest was given as accidental death resulting from compression of the brain and spinal cord.

Allan’s body was not returned to Grovetown, and he was instead buried in Richmond Cemetery. Friends and the racing fraternity raised funds for a headstone and railings to be put around the grave.