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Leading Derby contender trained at stables haunted by famous ghost

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Leading Derby contender trained at stables haunted by famous ghost

The ghost of Fred Archer, who won the Derby five times in the 19th century, is said to roam Pegasus Stables in Newmarket where 6-1 chance Ambiente Friendly is trained

Fred Archer: built the yard where Ambiente Friendly is trained(Unknown)

The stables where one of the leading challengers for the Betfred Derby is trained has a spooky history.

Ambiente Friendly, a 6-1 chance to win the £1.5 million Classic at Epsom, is trained by James Fanshawe at Pegasus Stables in Newmarket.

The yard was built in 1884 by Fred Archer, the brilliant but tortured jockey who won the Derby five times in the 19th century.

Aged just 27, he shot himself in 1886 in the house that once stood on the site of the yard and there have been many claims of Archer’s ghost being seen roaming the grounds.

Fanshawe revealed that in the nineties his staff had summoned Archer by using a ouija board.

One of these sessions would lead to the discovery of the burial place of the last Derby winner trained at Pegasus Stables, 1919 hero Grand Parade.

Ambiente Friendly, who earned his start with an emphatic victory in the Lingfield Derby Trial, will be only Fanshawe’s second runner in the race in 33 years training.

“Fred built the yard and he is still around,” said Fanshawe. “He can give good advice hopefully. He won the Derby five times so he’s got some experience.”

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