Arthur Freeman
Arthur Freeman & Lochroe 1959
Arthur Freeman & Lochroe 1959
1926 - 1988
1926 - 1988
Jockey Pat Taaffe should have been aboard Mr What, trained by his father, when that horse won the 1958 Grand National - unfortunately for him, under the terms of his retainer with Vincent O'Brien, he was obliged to ride Sentina in the colours of the Duchess of Westminster instead.
Jockey Pat Taaffe should have been aboard Mr What, trained by his father, when that horse won the 1958 Grand National - unfortunately for him, under the terms of his retainer with Vincent O'Brien, he was obliged to ride Sentina in the colours of the Duchess of Westminster instead.
The empty saddle was readily filled by Arthur Freeman who, in the event, had to declare 6lbs overweight on the inexperienced eight-year-old.
The empty saddle was readily filled by Arthur Freeman who, in the event, had to declare 6lbs overweight on the inexperienced eight-year-old.
Mr What and Arthur survived two shocking blunders; at Becher's and at the very last jump but - all's well that ends well - they came home the thirty length winners.
Mr What and Arthur survived two shocking blunders; at Becher's and at the very last jump but - all's well that ends well - they came home the thirty length winners.
Unhappily, Arthur fractured his skull and was forced to give up riding: he began training in Suffolk from where he sent out Tibidabo in the colours of Mrs Gibson to win the National Hunt Centenary Chase at Cheltenham under Terry Biddlecombe on Saturday, October 29, 1966.
Unhappily, Arthur fractured his skull and was forced to give up riding: he began training in Suffolk from where he sent out Tibidabo in the colours of Mrs Gibson to win the National Hunt Centenary Chase at Cheltenham under Terry Biddlecombe on Saturday, October 29, 1966.
Arthur enjoyed a remarkable day on 26 December 1958. Riding at Kempton, he won the Juvenile Hurdle on Le Bel, the King George Vl Chase on Lochroe and the Holly Handicap Chase on future National winner, Oxo.
Arthur enjoyed a remarkable day on 26 December 1958. Riding at Kempton, he won the Juvenile Hurdle on Le Bel, the King George Vl Chase on Lochroe and the Holly Handicap Chase on future National winner, Oxo.
George Freeman, one of Arthur's three sons, became the Conservative MP for Mid-Norfolk.
George Freeman, one of Arthur's three sons, became the Conservative MP for Mid-Norfolk.
Arthur was the son of Will Freeman, famous huntsman of the Grafton and Erridge Hunts, and brother of Frank Freeman, huntsman of the Pytchley, Arthur went against the hunting dynasty by pursuing racing.
Arthur was the son of Will Freeman, famous huntsman of the Grafton and Erridge Hunts, and brother of Frank Freeman, huntsman of the Pytchley, Arthur went against the hunting dynasty by pursuing racing.
Shortly before his National victory, Arthur had got married, making it a year to remember.
Shortly before his National victory, Arthur had got married, making it a year to remember.
Michael Scudamore, who won the Grand National on Oxo the following year, was George Freeman's godfather.
Michael Scudamore, who won the Grand National on Oxo the following year, was George Freeman's godfather.
Arthur Freeman died, aged 62, in 1988.
Arthur Freeman died, aged 62, in 1988.
Arthur was born on January 7, 1926, and was the son of Zetland huntsman Bill Freeman. He first raced, on the Flat in 1939, for Newmarket trainer George Lambton.
Arthur was born on January 7, 1926, and was the son of Zetland huntsman Bill Freeman. He first raced, on the Flat in 1939, for Newmarket trainer George Lambton.
Arthur's elder brother, Bill, had - twelve years earlier - ridden Cap-A-Pie to win the Ebor for Lord Derby.
Arthur's elder brother, Bill, had - twelve years earlier - ridden Cap-A-Pie to win the Ebor for Lord Derby.
Having served as an infantryman during the war, Arthur had become too heavy to contemplate a career on the Flat so, in 1950, he joined National Hunt trainer George Armstrong who, in 1953, provided him with his first Grand National ride, the 50/1 shot Wait and See, which was brought down at the first ditch.
Having served as an infantryman during the war, Arthur had become too heavy to contemplate a career on the Flat so, in 1950, he joined National Hunt trainer George Armstrong who, in 1953, provided him with his first Grand National ride, the 50/1 shot Wait and See, which was brought down at the first ditch.
The following season saw Arthur riding as second jockey (behind Dick Francis) for royal trainer Major Peter Cazalet at Fairlawne in Tonbridge, Kent.
The following season saw Arthur riding as second jockey (behind Dick Francis) for royal trainer Major Peter Cazalet at Fairlawne in Tonbridge, Kent.
In 1955, for Cazalet, he rode the Queen Mother's French-bred M'As-Tu-Vu in that year's National. falling four out. He rode the same horse in the following year's National, coming down at the nineteenth.
In 1955, for Cazalet, he rode the Queen Mother's French-bred M'As-Tu-Vu in that year's National. falling four out. He rode the same horse in the following year's National, coming down at the nineteenth.
His National mount in 1957 was Rendezvous lll. They parted company at the first.
His National mount in 1957 was Rendezvous lll. They parted company at the first.
Arthur, five days before the 1958 National, had not been offered a ride and did not expect to take part in the race: that all changed when he got a surprise approach from Irish trainer Tom Taaffe. Tom had three runners entered: his sons Pat and Tom would ride two - Tom urgently needed a jockey for his third runner, Mr What.
Arthur, five days before the 1958 National, had not been offered a ride and did not expect to take part in the race: that all changed when he got a surprise approach from Irish trainer Tom Taaffe. Tom had three runners entered: his sons Pat and Tom would ride two - Tom urgently needed a jockey for his third runner, Mr What.
But there was a problem.
But there was a problem.
The lowly rated gelding had such a lightweight that Arthur, even after a crash diet, would have to put up 6 lb overweight.
The lowly rated gelding had such a lightweight that Arthur, even after a crash diet, would have to put up 6 lb overweight.
Incredibly and despite this considerable handicap, Irish punters stepped in to take the 33/1 on offer for their chances.
Incredibly and despite this considerable handicap, Irish punters stepped in to take the 33/1 on offer for their chances.
The going - heavy - was just right for mudlark Mr What. Hitting the front at the second Becher's, the gelding pulled further and further away.
The going - heavy - was just right for mudlark Mr What. Hitting the front at the second Becher's, the gelding pulled further and further away.
Then, having jumped the second last, Arthur had a violent attack of cramp, brought on, he said later, by his wasting to try to do the correct weight.
Then, having jumped the second last, Arthur had a violent attack of cramp, brought on, he said later, by his wasting to try to do the correct weight.
This possibly contributed to the horse making its only mistake in the race, almost coming down at the last.
This possibly contributed to the horse making its only mistake in the race, almost coming down at the last.
Doubled up in pain, Arthur staggered off to weigh in.
Doubled up in pain, Arthur staggered off to weigh in.
Arthur, in 1959, had a couple of winners at Cheltenham but no ride in the National as Toss Taaffe took over on Mr What. That season, Arthur rode 49 winners, coming third in the jockeys' championship.
Arthur, in 1959, had a couple of winners at Cheltenham but no ride in the National as Toss Taaffe took over on Mr What. That season, Arthur rode 49 winners, coming third in the jockeys' championship.
Another good winner for Arthur came in the Triumph Hurdle (then run at Hurst Park) on the Cazalet-trained Turpial. He was also the rider of Double Star on which he won ten times for the Queen Mother, for whom he rode twenty-two winners.
Another good winner for Arthur came in the Triumph Hurdle (then run at Hurst Park) on the Cazalet-trained Turpial. He was also the rider of Double Star on which he won ten times for the Queen Mother, for whom he rode twenty-two winners.
When Arthur retired, he set up as trainer, sending out horses from his stable just outside Royston in Hertfordshire.
When Arthur retired, he set up as trainer, sending out horses from his stable just outside Royston in Hertfordshire.
In 1962, while looking to buy a yearling colt to help establish his yard, he was offered one which he considered to be over-priced. He then spotted a small foal nearby and said to the would-be seller 'Tell you what - throw that one in for luck and we've got a deal.'
In 1962, while looking to buy a yearling colt to help establish his yard, he was offered one which he considered to be over-priced. He then spotted a small foal nearby and said to the would-be seller 'Tell you what - throw that one in for luck and we've got a deal.'
The deal was done.
The deal was done.
The small foal grew up to win a hurdle race before Arthur sold it on to Newmarket trainer Denis Rayson who then sold it on to Epsom trainer John Sutcliffe, Sr.
The small foal grew up to win a hurdle race before Arthur sold it on to Newmarket trainer Denis Rayson who then sold it on to Epsom trainer John Sutcliffe, Sr.
In 1971, the small foal, then a magnificent specimen, won the Grand National.
In 1971, the small foal, then a magnificent specimen, won the Grand National.
Its name was Specify.
Its name was Specify.
Arthur Freeman
Arthur Freeman
Grand National winner: Mr What (1958)
Grand National winner: Mr What (1958)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1957: Tote Investors Chase (Newbury) – Double Star
1957: Tote Investors Chase (Newbury) – Double Star
1958: Broadway Novices’ Chase – Just Awake
1958: Broadway Novices’ Chase – Just Awake
1958: Spa Hurdle – Mac Joy
1958: Spa Hurdle – Mac Joy
1958: King George VI Chase – Lochroe
1958: King George VI Chase – Lochroe
1959: Broadway Novices’ Chase – Mac Joy
1959: Broadway Novices’ Chase – Mac Joy
1959: Birdlip Handicap Hurdle – Sword Flash
1959: Birdlip Handicap Hurdle – Sword Flash
1960: Triumph Hurdle – Turpial
1960: Triumph Hurdle – Turpial