Frank Hutchinson
Frank Hutchinson was a fearless amateur rider of the 1960s and 70s and rode three winners under National Hunt rules.
Frank Hutchinson was a fearless amateur rider of the 1960s and 70s and rode three winners under National Hunt rules.
An only child, his father was a schoolmaster, while his mother, one of 13 children, worked in a cotton mill. On leaving school he attended teacher training college in Leicester. During his timed there he helped out the famous showjumper Ted Williams at his Loughborough stables.
An only child, his father was a schoolmaster, while his mother, one of 13 children, worked in a cotton mill. On leaving school he attended teacher training college in Leicester. During his timed there he helped out the famous showjumper Ted Williams at his Loughborough stables.
His first two wins were gained in early seasons races at Newton Abbot on horses owned and operated by trained by permit holder J. C. Mason, who was based at Wigston, near Leicester.
His first two wins were gained in early seasons races at Newton Abbot on horses owned and operated by trained by permit holder J. C. Mason, who was based at Wigston, near Leicester.
The first of those was the seven-year-old mare Trallina, the 10/1 outsider of five runners in the Erne Chase on August 18, 1961. They had finished third at Devon & Exeter ten days earlier. His second victory was aboard 33/1 shot Cobbity in the Hennock Handicap Hurdle on August 6, 1962.
The first of those was the seven-year-old mare Trallina, the 10/1 outsider of five runners in the Erne Chase on August 18, 1961. They had finished third at Devon & Exeter ten days earlier. His second victory was aboard 33/1 shot Cobbity in the Hennock Handicap Hurdle on August 6, 1962.
It would be just over eight years before he next visited the winner’s enclosure, although he was twice placed on the Derek Leslie-trained 12-year-old Timber at Huntingdon’s 1965 bank holiday fixtures, finishing third in the Brampton Hurdle on Easter Monday and second in the Milton Chase on Whit Monday.
It would be just over eight years before he next visited the winner’s enclosure, although he was twice placed on the Derek Leslie-trained 12-year-old Timber at Huntingdon’s 1965 bank holiday fixtures, finishing third in the Brampton Hurdle on Easter Monday and second in the Milton Chase on Whit Monday.
His first teaching job was at Highfields School at Leicester, where his pupils included a young Gary Lineker. Having a racecourse nearby meant that he was on at least one occasion able to slip out between lessons, ride in a race, and be back in time to deliver his next lecture.
His first teaching job was at Highfields School at Leicester, where his pupils included a young Gary Lineker. Having a racecourse nearby meant that he was on at least one occasion able to slip out between lessons, ride in a race, and be back in time to deliver his next lecture.
He rode a lot for Rutland-based military rider Major Tony Gilks, notably when finishing third on outsider Golden May in the 18-runner Fegentry Trophy Hurdle for amateur riders at Hereford on August 29, 1970. The winner of that race was the four-year-old Nereo, a 20/1 shot, making his debut, trained by John Ciechanowski, owned and ridden by the Duke of Alburquerque. The intrepid Duke would go on to partner Nereo in three Grand Nationals, finishing eighth in the second of them behind Red Rum in 1974.
He rode a lot for Rutland-based military rider Major Tony Gilks, notably when finishing third on outsider Golden May in the 18-runner Fegentry Trophy Hurdle for amateur riders at Hereford on August 29, 1970. The winner of that race was the four-year-old Nereo, a 20/1 shot, making his debut, trained by John Ciechanowski, owned and ridden by the Duke of Alburquerque. The intrepid Duke would go on to partner Nereo in three Grand Nationals, finishing eighth in the second of them behind Red Rum in 1974.
It was for Major Gilks that Frank had his third and final winner under NH rules when landing the Cavalry Handicap Chase for amateur riders on Kilcreggan, the 9/1 outsider of six runners, getting up on the run-in to beat the 9/4 favourite Nephin Beg, the mount of Peter Morris, by two and a half lengths.
It was for Major Gilks that Frank had his third and final winner under NH rules when landing the Cavalry Handicap Chase for amateur riders on Kilcreggan, the 9/1 outsider of six runners, getting up on the run-in to beat the 9/4 favourite Nephin Beg, the mount of Peter Morris, by two and a half lengths.
A decent amateur boxer, he also learned to sail, won the Torquay to Cowes yacht race, and crewed for top boat designer Uffa Fox and for the Duke of Edinburgh. In addition, he participated in both cyclocross and motocross. An all-round sportsman if ever there was one.
A decent amateur boxer, he also learned to sail, won the Torquay to Cowes yacht race, and crewed for top boat designer Uffa Fox and for the Duke of Edinburgh. In addition, he participated in both cyclocross and motocross. An all-round sportsman if ever there was one.
He ran a horsebox business for over 30 years, based in the Midlands, and was still driving his own box when well into his eighties.
He ran a horsebox business for over 30 years, based in the Midlands, and was still driving his own box when well into his eighties.
Frank Hutchinson died on August 31, 2025, aged 88.
Frank Hutchinson died on August 31, 2025, aged 88.
Information partially based on trainer Sir Mark Prescott’s appreciation of Frank Hutchinson, which appeared in the Racing Post’s ‘Racing Lives’ feature on Sunday, September 20, 2025.
Information partially based on trainer Sir Mark Prescott’s appreciation of Frank Hutchinson, which appeared in the Racing Post’s ‘Racing Lives’ feature on Sunday, September 20, 2025.
