Fred Axtell

1866 -1933

Article by Alan Trout

Although he held a Flat jockey’s licence for more than two decades, Frederick James Axtell rode only seven winners during a career that stretched from 1883 to 1904.

Born in 1866, Fred was initially attached to the stable of Bob Armstrong and later John Dover. He had his first ride in public when Oscillation finished last of four in the Brownlow Nursery Handicap Plate at Lincoln on November 1, 1883.

It was to be more than two years before he had his first success. At Brighton on November 4, 1885, Q.C. won the Bristol Mile Nursery Handicap by a neck from Gosport, the mount of Nat Robinson, with the great Fred Archer three lengths further back in third on the favourite Prince Io. Q.C. was the outsider of the party at 20-1.

Another year passed before Fred achieved his second victory. Again it was a four-runner field and again it was a close finish as Monarch Of The Glen won the Thursday Plate at Liverpool on November 11, 1886 by a head from Dean Swift, ridden by Charlie Wood.

There were three wins in 1887, including another at Liverpool’s November meeting, and then nothing for 12 years. 

Finally, at Thirsk on May 5, 1899, Little Chit won the All-Aged Selling Plate by three-quarters of a length. Fred’s last win was at Windsor on July 21 the same year when Nata won the Rays Water Handicap by three lengths.

Fred continued to take the occasional ride, his last mount being Minikin, who finished unplaced in the Two-Year-old Selling Plate at Windsor on July 22, 1904. After a five-year gap he took out a licence for 1909 but does not appear to have had any rides that season.

Fred Axtell died at Lambourn on March 24, 1933, aged 66. 

Fred Axtell’s wins were, in chronological order:

1. Q.C., Brighton, November 4, 1885

2. Monarch Of The Glen, Liverpool, November 11, 1886

3. Scotch Monk, Beverley, June 22, 1887

4. b. c. by Zealot out of Adventuress, Richmond, August 4, 1887

5. Vixen, Liverpool, November 11, 1887

6. Little Chit, Thirsk, May 5, 1899

7. Nata, Windsor, July 21, 1899