Article by Alan Trout
Frederick John Carr won twice on Magical Approach in the autumn of 1959, his only successes during a brief career over jumps. Trained by Stewart Wight, Magical Approach had never won over hurdles and had fallen in his first race over fences, with Fred aboard, at Ayr on October 16.
However, at Catterick Bridge on November 7 they beat 16 rivals to land the Ellerton Novices’ Chase. Just seven days later they followed up with a five-length success in the Powburn Novices’ Chase at Manchester.
A second-place finish at Haydock on November 25 followed, but after a fall at Newcastle on December 17 Fred was replaced by Wight’s stable jockey Mick Bachelor, who had regularly ridden the horse over hurdles.
Magical Approach was considered good enough to run in the Cotswold Chase (now the Arkle Trophy) at Cheltenham’s National meeting in March 1960, running a highly respectable race to finish fifth. Sadly, he was killed when falling in the Mildmay Chase at Liverpool next time out.
Fred Carr held a licence until the 1961/62 season but rode no more winners.
