Walter Freeman
Walter Freeman
Walter Freeman
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Walter Freeman rode four winners in the early 1950s and then came back, briefly, to add one more. He rode for Great Barr, Birmingham trainer Roy Banner and had his first success at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day 1952, when Chronicle made all to win the Stanton Selling Handicap Chase, a race for novice riders, by two lengths.
Walter Freeman rode four winners in the early 1950s and then came back, briefly, to add one more. He rode for Great Barr, Birmingham trainer Roy Banner and had his first success at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day 1952, when Chronicle made all to win the Stanton Selling Handicap Chase, a race for novice riders, by two lengths.
Just three days later he doubled his score when Scotch Comfort, also trained by Banner, got up in the closing strides to beat Playhouse, ridden by future trainer Frank Muggeridge, by a head in the Northleach Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Just three days later he doubled his score when Scotch Comfort, also trained by Banner, got up in the closing strides to beat Playhouse, ridden by future trainer Frank Muggeridge, by a head in the Northleach Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.
One Freeman beating another was the setting for Walter’s third win when he steered Chronicle to victory in the January Selling Handicap Chase on the 13th of that month at Birmingham. Again, the race was for novice riders and finishing second was Arthur. Freeman (destined to win the 1958 Grand National on Mr What and become the royal jockey, riding for the Queen Mother), on Queen’s Hissar, with future successful riders such as Peter Pickford and Mick Pumfrey among the also-rans. As he had done at Wolverhampton, Chronicle led all the way, this time winning by three lengths. He and Walter looked like completing a hat-trick at Wolverhampton seven days later, but they parted company when leading three out.
One Freeman beating another was the setting for Walter’s third win when he steered Chronicle to victory in the January Selling Handicap Chase on the 13th of that month at Birmingham. Again, the race was for novice riders and finishing second was Arthur. Freeman (destined to win the 1958 Grand National on Mr What and become the royal jockey, riding for the Queen Mother), on Queen’s Hissar, with future successful riders such as Peter Pickford and Mick Pumfrey among the also-rans. As he had done at Wolverhampton, Chronicle led all the way, this time winning by three lengths. He and Walter looked like completing a hat-trick at Wolverhampton seven days later, but they parted company when leading three out.
Walter’s next winner was on yet another Banner-trained horse, Conduit, who won the Selling Handicap Hurdle at Stratford on November 7, 1953, scoring by five lengths. But that was his last for five years.
Walter’s next winner was on yet another Banner-trained horse, Conduit, who won the Selling Handicap Hurdle at Stratford on November 7, 1953, scoring by five lengths. But that was his last for five years.
He relinquished his licence for some time – it is possible that he was called up for National Service – but returned to win the Pepys Novices’ Chase at Huntingdon on Boxing Day 1958, on the six-year-old Dalethorpe, trained near Rugby by Bill Cullen, coming home 20 lengths clear of their nearest rival. Top amateur rider Michael Bloom took over for Dalethorpe’s next outing in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March, but they pulled up. Later that season, Walter relinquished his licence for a second time and did not ride in public again.
He relinquished his licence for some time – it is possible that he was called up for National Service – but returned to win the Pepys Novices’ Chase at Huntingdon on Boxing Day 1958, on the six-year-old Dalethorpe, trained near Rugby by Bill Cullen, coming home 20 lengths clear of their nearest rival. Top amateur rider Michael Bloom took over for Dalethorpe’s next outing in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March, but they pulled up. Later that season, Walter relinquished his licence for a second time and did not ride in public again.
Walter Freeman’s wins were, in chronological order:
Walter Freeman’s wins were, in chronological order:
1. Chronicle, Wolverhampton, December 26, 1952
1. Chronicle, Wolverhampton, December 26, 1952
2. Scotch Comfort, Cheltenham, December 29, 1952
2. Scotch Comfort, Cheltenham, December 29, 1952
3. Chronicle, Birmingham, January 13, 1953
3. Chronicle, Birmingham, January 13, 1953
4. Conduit, Stratford-on-Avon, November 7, 1953
4. Conduit, Stratford-on-Avon, November 7, 1953
5. Dalethorpe, Huntingdon, December 26, 1958
5. Dalethorpe, Huntingdon, December 26, 1958
One Freeman beats another: Birmingham, January 13, 1953
One Freeman beats another: Birmingham, January 13, 1953