John Frecklington
John Frecklington
John Frecklington
1905-1967
1905-1967
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born in 1905, John William Freckington rode 23 winners under National Hunt rules, achieving a best score of seven in the 1930/31 season. He was the man to follow at Market Rasen’s Easter Monday fixture, notching winners there in four consecutive years, including two doubles. He also finished runner-up in the season’s richest handicap hurdle, the Imperial Cup.
Born in 1905, John William Freckington rode 23 winners under National Hunt rules, achieving a best score of seven in the 1930/31 season. He was the man to follow at Market Rasen’s Easter Monday fixture, notching winners there in four consecutive years, including two doubles. He also finished runner-up in the season’s richest handicap hurdle, the Imperial Cup.
He had his first ride at Derby on January 18, 1927, when Dawson City finished unplaced in the Grangewood Hurdle. It was a case of third time lucky when, more than a year later, having finished second in the first two races at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, April 9, 1928, he was finally successful when Blackthorn VIII won the Town Selling Chase. At the next Market Rasen meeting, on May 7, John was again among the winners when Slate House landed the Selling Handicap Chase.
He had his first ride at Derby on January 18, 1927, when Dawson City finished unplaced in the Grangewood Hurdle. It was a case of third time lucky when, more than a year later, having finished second in the first two races at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, April 9, 1928, he was finally successful when Blackthorn VIII won the Town Selling Chase. At the next Market Rasen meeting, on May 7, John was again among the winners when Slate House landed the Selling Handicap Chase.
John’s career then followed a familiar pattern, with the occasional winner and plenty of ‘also rans’. He rode doubles at Market Rasen’s Easter meeting in 1930 and 1931, although, on the first occasion, they were the only two winners he managed all season. He finished second on Wenceslas in the 1933 Imperial Cup at Sandown Park, beaten four lengths by Flaming, owned and ridden by the American amateur ‘Pete’ Bostwick.
John’s career then followed a familiar pattern, with the occasional winner and plenty of ‘also rans’. He rode doubles at Market Rasen’s Easter meeting in 1930 and 1931, although, on the first occasion, they were the only two winners he managed all season. He finished second on Wenceslas in the 1933 Imperial Cup at Sandown Park, beaten four lengths by Flaming, owned and ridden by the American amateur ‘Pete’ Bostwick.
His last win was on Concise in the Sutton Selling Chase at Birmingham on February 26, 1934. A few weeks later he had big race rides on consecutive days over Easter, but Huic Holloa was unplaced in the Lancashire Chase at Manchester, and Somnus refused in the Welsh Grand National at Cardiff. He retained his licence for one more season but could not add to his tally of wins.
His last win was on Concise in the Sutton Selling Chase at Birmingham on February 26, 1934. A few weeks later he had big race rides on consecutive days over Easter, but Huic Holloa was unplaced in the Lancashire Chase at Manchester, and Somnus refused in the Welsh Grand National at Cardiff. He retained his licence for one more season but could not add to his tally of wins.
John Frecklington died in 1967. His winners were, in chronological order:
John Frecklington died in 1967. His winners were, in chronological order:
1. Blackthorn VIII, Market Rasen, April 9, 1928
1. Blackthorn VIII, Market Rasen, April 9, 1928
2. Slate House, Market Rasen, May 7, 1928
2. Slate House, Market Rasen, May 7, 1928
3. Kozak, Market Rasen, April 1, 1929
3. Kozak, Market Rasen, April 1, 1929
4. Parnell, Uttoxeter, May 13, 1929
4. Parnell, Uttoxeter, May 13, 1929
5. Spalding, Huntingdon, May 20, 1929
5. Spalding, Huntingdon, May 20, 1929
6. Spalding, Market Rasen, April 21, 1930
6. Spalding, Market Rasen, April 21, 1930
7. Mr J.B., Marker Rasen, April 21, 1930
7. Mr J.B., Marker Rasen, April 21, 1930
8. Spire, Uttoxeter, October 13, 1930
8. Spire, Uttoxeter, October 13, 1930
9. Wilfred, Marker Rasen, October 20, 1930
9. Wilfred, Marker Rasen, October 20, 1930
10. Somercotes, Sedgefield, February 18, 1931
10. Somercotes, Sedgefield, February 18, 1931
11. Spalding, Market Rasen, April 6, 1931
11. Spalding, Market Rasen, April 6, 1931
12. Somercotes, Market Rasen, April 6, 1931
12. Somercotes, Market Rasen, April 6, 1931
13. Wilfred, Market Rasen, May 18, 1931
13. Wilfred, Market Rasen, May 18, 1931
14. Merced, Huntingdon, May 25, 1931
14. Merced, Huntingdon, May 25, 1931
15. Spire, Uttoxeter, October 12, 1931
15. Spire, Uttoxeter, October 12, 1931
16. Chief Wing, Uttoxeter, October 10, 1932
16. Chief Wing, Uttoxeter, October 10, 1932
17. Nimble Runner, Nottingham, December 12, 1932
17. Nimble Runner, Nottingham, December 12, 1932
18. Silver Lined, Southwell, April 15, 1933
18. Silver Lined, Southwell, April 15, 1933
19. General McArthur, Huntingdon, April 17, 1933
19. General McArthur, Huntingdon, April 17, 1933
20. La Guide, Huntingdon, June 5, 1933
20. La Guide, Huntingdon, June 5, 1933
21. Diblets, Southwell, October 9, 1933
21. Diblets, Southwell, October 9, 1933
22. Samoht, Kempton Park, December 26, 1933
22. Samoht, Kempton Park, December 26, 1933
23. Concise, Birmingham, February 26, 1934
23. Concise, Birmingham, February 26, 1934
John's first winner, Blackthorn Vlll, came at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, April 9, 1928.
Concise, John Frecklington's final winner. In this race, jockey Mr J. Lezard, who once represented South Africa in international lawn tennis and who had his first mount only a few weeks ago, was injured when his mount, Parthenon, fell. He sustained a concussion and was removed to a nursing home from where he happily recovered.