Freddie Fox
1887 -1945
1887 -1945
Frederick Sydney Fox was born on February 18, 1887, at The Rough, Condover, near Shrewsbury, in Shropshire, the son of Michael Fox, an agricultural labourer.
Frederick Sydney Fox was born on February 18, 1887, at The Rough, Condover, near Shrewsbury, in Shropshire, the son of Michael Fox, an agricultural labourer.
He became apprenticed to Frederick Pratt, the classic winning jockey who was then private trainer to Mr James Rothschild. Freddy rode his first winner on Purdysburn at Warwick on April 8, 1907.
He became apprenticed to Frederick Pratt, the classic winning jockey who was then private trainer to Mr James Rothschild. Freddy rode his first winner on Purdysburn at Warwick on April 8, 1907.
His first big win came on Yentoi in the 1908 Cesarewitch, trained by Fred Darling, which heralded a long association with the Beckhampton Stable.
His first big win came on Yentoi in the 1908 Cesarewitch, trained by Fred Darling, which heralded a long association with the Beckhampton Stable.
Major trophies came Freddie's way - the 1909 Ascot Gold Cup (Bomba) and the 1911 One Thousand Guineas on Atmah, his first of six classic wins.
Major trophies came Freddie's way - the 1909 Ascot Gold Cup (Bomba) and the 1911 One Thousand Guineas on Atmah, his first of six classic wins.
He then rode in Austria and Germany for a couple of seasons returning before the outbreak of war to win another Ascot Gold Cup on Aleppo.
He then rode in Austria and Germany for a couple of seasons returning before the outbreak of war to win another Ascot Gold Cup on Aleppo.
Whilst riding throughout the twenties and winning a number of important handicaps, it was not until the closing stages of his career that he enjoyed his best seasons. On 29th June 1929, he won five races on the same afternoon at Sandown Park. He was also second that year to Gordon Richards in the jockeys’ list.
Whilst riding throughout the twenties and winning a number of important handicaps, it was not until the closing stages of his career that he enjoyed his best seasons. On 29th June 1929, he won five races on the same afternoon at Sandown Park. He was also second that year to Gordon Richards in the jockeys’ list.
Freddie was popular both in the weighing room and away from racing, where he had a wide circle of friends.
Freddie was popular both in the weighing room and away from racing, where he had a wide circle of friends.
He lost his son Michael, killed in action with the RAF during the war.
He lost his son Michael, killed in action with the RAF during the war.
Freddie was living at Lake End, Lacombe Regis, near Wantage when, driving between Wantage and Oxford on Wednesday 12th December 1945, he was killed in a car crash at Frilford Heath.
Freddie was living at Lake End, Lacombe Regis, near Wantage when, driving between Wantage and Oxford on Wednesday 12th December 1945, he was killed in a car crash at Frilford Heath.
He left a wife, Kathleen Norah Fox, and effects of £23,285 15s.
He left a wife, Kathleen Norah Fox, and effects of £23,285 15s.
On Boxing Day, 1949, a home of rest for aged and exploited horses opened at picturesque Cherry Tree Farm, Newchapel, near Lingfield in Surrey. It was the outcome of much hard work on the part of many well-known people, and they turned up in force for the ceremony.
On Boxing Day, 1949, a home of rest for aged and exploited horses opened at picturesque Cherry Tree Farm, Newchapel, near Lingfield in Surrey. It was the outcome of much hard work on the part of many well-known people, and they turned up in force for the ceremony.
There was one notable absentee: a man who actively supported the sponsors, the International League for the Protection of Horses and who was always ready to fight for the welfare of the animals that helped him build up a successful career. That man was Freddie Fox.
There was one notable absentee: a man who actively supported the sponsors, the International League for the Protection of Horses and who was always ready to fight for the welfare of the animals that helped him build up a successful career. That man was Freddie Fox.
Eventually and following many collections organised by Gordon Richards, a memorial to him, in the form of a loose-box, was built at Cherry Tree Farm.
Eventually and following many collections organised by Gordon Richards, a memorial to him, in the form of a loose-box, was built at Cherry Tree Farm.
‘I’m sure that Freddie would have wished for nothing better,’ Richards said at the time.
‘I’m sure that Freddie would have wished for nothing better,’ Richards said at the time.
Freddie Fox’s classic winners were:
Freddie Fox’s classic winners were:
Two Thousand Guineas: Diolite (1930) and Bahram (1935)
Two Thousand Guineas: Diolite (1930) and Bahram (1935)
One Thousand Guineas: Atmah (1911)
One Thousand Guineas: Atmah (1911)
The Derby: Cameronian (1931) and Bahram (1935)
The Derby: Cameronian (1931) and Bahram (1935)
St Leger: Firdaussi (1932)
St Leger: Firdaussi (1932)
Derby winner Cameronian started odds-on favourite for the St Leger. Normally the most placid of horses, he was in a state of high excitement both before the race, when he savagely kicked Orpen, and during the race went he fought furiously for his head before, exhausted, finishing last. The horse ran a temperature for nearly a year after. Incredibly, no dope test was ever ordered.
Derby winner Cameronian started odds-on favourite for the St Leger. Normally the most placid of horses, he was in a state of high excitement both before the race, when he savagely kicked Orpen, and during the race went he fought furiously for his head before, exhausted, finishing last. The horse ran a temperature for nearly a year after. Incredibly, no dope test was ever ordered.
Between 1912 & 1913, Freddie Fox rode in Germany for the Waldfried stud.
Between 1912 & 1913, Freddie Fox rode in Germany for the Waldfried stud.