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Horace Freeth
Horace Freeth
1907-1961
1907-1961
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Horace Erick Freeth rode one winner on the Flat, then returned a decade later to ride three more over jumps.
Horace Erick Freeth rode one winner on the Flat, then returned a decade later to ride three more over jumps.
Born in 1907, he served his apprenticeship with Harry Cottrill, who trained at Seven Barrows, Lambourn. He had his only win on the Flat at Alexandra Park on October 4, 1924, when Bar Sinister won the Feather-Weight Two-Year-Old Plate, a race for apprentices, by three-quarters of a length. Trained by Harry Cottrill, this may well have been Horace’s first ride in public.
Born in 1907, he served his apprenticeship with Harry Cottrill, who trained at Seven Barrows, Lambourn. He had his only win on the Flat at Alexandra Park on October 4, 1924, when Bar Sinister won the Feather-Weight Two-Year-Old Plate, a race for apprentices, by three-quarters of a length. Trained by Harry Cottrill, this may well have been Horace’s first ride in public.
He rode on the Flat in 1925 but for several years he did not hold a licence. It was not until October 19, 1933 that he had his first ride over jumps, when Soldier’s Raft finished seventh in the Selling Three-Year-Old Hurdle at Sandown Park.
He rode on the Flat in 1925 but for several years he did not hold a licence. It was not until October 19, 1933 that he had his first ride over jumps, when Soldier’s Raft finished seventh in the Selling Three-Year-Old Hurdle at Sandown Park.
Just over a year later, October 25, 1934, again at Sandown, Horace registered his first victory under National Hunt rules when Tees Head, trained by American Morgan Blair, a former amateur jump jockey, won the Norbiton Handicap Hurdle, beating Keith Piggott on the 3-1 favourite Feud by four lengths.
Just over a year later, October 25, 1934, again at Sandown, Horace registered his first victory under National Hunt rules when Tees Head, trained by American Morgan Blair, a former amateur jump jockey, won the Norbiton Handicap Hurdle, beating Keith Piggott on the 3-1 favourite Feud by four lengths.
The following month, Horace struck again when 20-1 outsider Victor Norman comfortably won the Newbury Juvenile Maiden Hurdle at that Berkshire course by five lengths, with another top jockey, Billy Speck, finishing second on Prominent Lad.
The following month, Horace struck again when 20-1 outsider Victor Norman comfortably won the Newbury Juvenile Maiden Hurdle at that Berkshire course by five lengths, with another top jockey, Billy Speck, finishing second on Prominent Lad.
He then had what proved to be his final victory on Kilwhang, owned and trained by Morgan Blair, won the Kew Selling Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. Again, the winning margin was five lengths, scoring from Jack Fawcus on the 3-1 favourite Grumbling Ginger.
He then had what proved to be his final victory on Kilwhang, owned and trained by Morgan Blair, won the Kew Selling Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. Again, the winning margin was five lengths, scoring from Jack Fawcus on the 3-1 favourite Grumbling Ginger.
Horace only rode those four winners. He did have one ride in a big race when partnering Armour Bright in the 1936 Imperial Cup at Sandown Park, but they were unplaced. Next time out, Armour Bright won Aintree’s Liverpool Hurdle, ridden that day by Don Butchers.
Horace only rode those four winners. He did have one ride in a big race when partnering Armour Bright in the 1936 Imperial Cup at Sandown Park, but they were unplaced. Next time out, Armour Bright won Aintree’s Liverpool Hurdle, ridden that day by Don Butchers.
Horace Freeth held a licence until the 1938/39 season but never again visited the winner’s enclosure. He died in 1961.
Horace Freeth held a licence until the 1938/39 season but never again visited the winner’s enclosure. He died in 1961.
His four winners were, in chronological order:
His four winners were, in chronological order:
1. Bar Sinister, Alexandra Park, October 4, 1924
1. Bar Sinister, Alexandra Park, October 4, 1924
2. Tees Head, Sandown Patk, October 25, 1934
2. Tees Head, Sandown Patk, October 25, 1934
3. Victor Norman, Newbury, November 29, 1934
3. Victor Norman, Newbury, November 29, 1934
4. Kilwhang, Kempton Park, December 26, 1934
4. Kilwhang, Kempton Park, December 26, 1934
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