Val Faggotter
1927 - 2006
Australian jockey Ceacle Frank Valentine Faggotter who was known by his third Christian name and rode as ‘V. Faggotter’, was born on June 21, 1927 in Broken Hill, a New South Wales mining town. He learned to ride there before moving to Sydney, where he was apprenticed to trainer Fred Cush. He rode his first winner on Cargeonel at Sydney’s Moorfield Racecourse in 1944.
Australian jockey Ceacle Frank Valentine Faggotter who was known by his third Christian name and rode as ‘V. Faggotter’, was born on June 21, 1927 in Broken Hill, a New South Wales mining town. He learned to ride there before moving to Sydney, where he was apprenticed to trainer Fred Cush. He rode his first winner on Cargeonel at Sydney’s Moorfield Racecourse in 1944.
Val had ridden 800 winners in Australia before coming to England, via Malaya and India, in 1961, aged 34. He rode as stable jockey to Lt-Col Wilfrid Lyde at Middleham and registered his first success in Britain on Lyde’s three-year-old colt Audubon in the County Maiden Plate at Ayr on May 12, 1962, following up on him at Hamilton Park nine days later.
Val had ridden 800 winners in Australia before coming to England, via Malaya and India, in 1961, aged 34. He rode as stable jockey to Lt-Col Wilfrid Lyde at Middleham and registered his first success in Britain on Lyde’s three-year-old colt Audubon in the County Maiden Plate at Ayr on May 12, 1962, following up on him at Hamilton Park nine days later.
Val enjoyed his most successful British season in 1963, riding 38 winners. There were no major triumphs, among the most valuable one being on the Lyde-trained Wolf Whistle in the Bradford Handicap at Ripon’s August Bank Holiday fixture.
Val enjoyed his most successful British season in 1963, riding 38 winners. There were no major triumphs, among the most valuable one being on the Lyde-trained Wolf Whistle in the Bradford Handicap at Ripon’s August Bank Holiday fixture.
His winning tally dropped to 20 in 1964, largely due to being suspended for three months from July 16 to October 8 as a result of the running of two-year-old Castle Close at Newcastle in June.
His winning tally dropped to 20 in 1964, largely due to being suspended for three months from July 16 to October 8 as a result of the running of two-year-old Castle Close at Newcastle in June.
But far worse was to follow. On March 20, 1965 he broke both his thighs in a fall at the Alipore track in Calcutta. It was his last day of riding in India, having been due to return to England two days later. His injuries caused him to miss two entire Flat racing seasons.
But far worse was to follow. On March 20, 1965 he broke both his thighs in a fall at the Alipore track in Calcutta. It was his last day of riding in India, having been due to return to England two days later. His injuries caused him to miss two entire Flat racing seasons.
He finally returned to action at the start of 1967. On April 1 he gained his first British victory since 1964 when guiding the Harry Whiteman-trained three-year-old Another Trial to a four-length success at Ayr. He rode 26 winners that year, the highlight being a four-timer at Edinburgh on June 19, aboard Two Bairns for Taffy Williams, Carroglen for Harry Whiteman, Old Sugar for Andrew Barclay, and Final Parade for Whiteman.
He finally returned to action at the start of 1967. On April 1 he gained his first British victory since 1964 when guiding the Harry Whiteman-trained three-year-old Another Trial to a four-length success at Ayr. He rode 26 winners that year, the highlight being a four-timer at Edinburgh on June 19, aboard Two Bairns for Taffy Williams, Carroglen for Harry Whiteman, Old Sugar for Andrew Barclay, and Final Parade for Whiteman.
The following year he moved south to Lambourn and rode primarily for trainer Bill Payne. However, his tally of wins fell dramatically to just three, comprising Colin Crossley’s Sunny Tunes at Catterick on May 1, Bill Payne’s Sovereign Service at Newmarket on June 15, and what turned out to be his last winner in Britain, the Payne-trained Miss Wolff in the Beechfield Handicap at Doncaster on October 25, 1968.
The following year he moved south to Lambourn and rode primarily for trainer Bill Payne. However, his tally of wins fell dramatically to just three, comprising Colin Crossley’s Sunny Tunes at Catterick on May 1, Bill Payne’s Sovereign Service at Newmarket on June 15, and what turned out to be his last winner in Britain, the Payne-trained Miss Wolff in the Beechfield Handicap at Doncaster on October 25, 1968.
Val rode for one more season in Britain but had no winners, his final ride being on Tam Rating for Peter Payne-Gallwey, finishing unplaced in a two-year-old maiden at Wolverhampton on October 6, 1969.
Val rode for one more season in Britain but had no winners, his final ride being on Tam Rating for Peter Payne-Gallwey, finishing unplaced in a two-year-old maiden at Wolverhampton on October 6, 1969.
He returned to Australia in 1974. He retired from the saddle having ridden over 3,000 winners worldwide.
He returned to Australia in 1974. He retired from the saddle having ridden over 3,000 winners worldwide.
Val Faggotter died in Queensland on February 27, 2006, aged 78.
Val Faggotter died in Queensland on February 27, 2006, aged 78.