Freddie Palmer
Freddie Palmer was born on 15 December 1921. He was one of France’s top jockeys during the 1950s and early 1960s. He also enjoyed plenty of big race success in Britain during that time.
Freddie Palmer was born on 15 December 1921. He was one of France’s top jockeys during the 1950s and early 1960s. He also enjoyed plenty of big race success in Britain during that time.
He rode his first British winner on Baron Guy de Waldner’s colt Fast Fox in the Sunninghill Park Stakes at Ascot on July 21, 1951. He rode Fast Fox to win that year’s Doncaster Cup and also the 1952 Winston Churchill Stakes at Hurst Park.
He rode his first British winner on Baron Guy de Waldner’s colt Fast Fox in the Sunninghill Park Stakes at Ascot on July 21, 1951. He rode Fast Fox to win that year’s Doncaster Cup and also the 1952 Winston Churchill Stakes at Hurst Park.
He gained the first of his three British Classic victories in the 1955 Derby on Mme Leon Volterra’s Phil Drake, winning by a length and a half from the Irish-trained Panaslipper, the mount of Jimmy Eddery. The following month he added the French version, the Prix du Jockey Club, on Rapace.
He gained the first of his three British Classic victories in the 1955 Derby on Mme Leon Volterra’s Phil Drake, winning by a length and a half from the Irish-trained Panaslipper, the mount of Jimmy Eddery. The following month he added the French version, the Prix du Jockey Club, on Rapace.
In 1956 he won the Oaks on Sicarelle and the St Leger on Cambremer. He also came close to winning a second successive Derby when finishing second on Montaval, beaten a neck by Rae Johnstone on fellow French raider Lavandin.
In 1956 he won the Oaks on Sicarelle and the St Leger on Cambremer. He also came close to winning a second successive Derby when finishing second on Montaval, beaten a neck by Rae Johnstone on fellow French raider Lavandin.
He finished second in the 1957 Ascot Gold Cup on Cambremer but returned to the Berkshire course the following month to land the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Montaval. He also won that year’s Jockey Club Cup at Newmarket on Flying Flag II.
He finished second in the 1957 Ascot Gold Cup on Cambremer but returned to the Berkshire course the following month to land the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Montaval. He also won that year’s Jockey Club Cup at Newmarket on Flying Flag II.
He made amends for his Ascot Gold Cup defeat by wining it two years later, in 1959, on Wallaby. He won the Gold Cup for a second time on Balto in 1962.
He made amends for his Ascot Gold Cup defeat by wining it two years later, in 1959, on Wallaby. He won the Gold Cup for a second time on Balto in 1962.
Freddie’s other major success in Britain was gained on Javelot in the 1960 Eclipse Stakes.
Freddie’s other major success in Britain was gained on Javelot in the 1960 Eclipse Stakes.
Although the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe eluded him, he won many of France’s other big races, including a second Prix du Jockey Club on Val de Loir in 1962. He won the Grand Prix de Paris three times and had four successes in the Prix Royal-Oak (the French St Leger).
Although the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe eluded him, he won many of France’s other big races, including a second Prix du Jockey Club on Val de Loir in 1962. He won the Grand Prix de Paris three times and had four successes in the Prix Royal-Oak (the French St Leger).
He began a training career in 1964 and enjoyed a first Classic winner with Fine Pearl in the Prix de Diane just two years after taking out a licence. He also trained Le Chouan to win the 1969 Prix Royal-Oak.
He began a training career in 1964 and enjoyed a first Classic winner with Fine Pearl in the Prix de Diane just two years after taking out a licence. He also trained Le Chouan to win the 1969 Prix Royal-Oak.
In 1990 he ended his 26-year training career, during which time he also helped progress the careers of Jean-Claude Rouget, Patrick Monfort and Christian Scandella.
In 1990 he ended his 26-year training career, during which time he also helped progress the careers of Jean-Claude Rouget, Patrick Monfort and Christian Scandella.
Freddie Palmer died in March 2020 aged 98.
Freddie Palmer died in March 2020 aged 98.
Freddie Palmer with Phil Drake (from 'Great Horses of the Year, 1955-1956')
Freddie Palmer with Phil Drake (from 'Great Horses of the Year, 1955-1956')
Freddie Palmer wins 1955 Derby on Phil Drake
Freddie Palmer wins 1955 Derby on Phil Drake
Javelot (nearest camera) and Freddie land the 1960 Eclipse
Javelot (nearest camera) and Freddie land the 1960 Eclipse