Fred Lillywhite
Fred Lillywhite
Fred Lillywhite
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Frederick Stephen Lillywhite failed to ride a winner from limited opportunities on the Flat but fared slightly better over jumps with one win in 1899, followed by three more after a few years’ absence.
Frederick Stephen Lillywhite failed to ride a winner from limited opportunities on the Flat but fared slightly better over jumps with one win in 1899, followed by three more after a few years’ absence.
It was at Monmouth on March 2, 1899, that he had his first success when Spring Mint won the Hendre Hurdle, beating David Davies’ mount Kiptika by 10 lengths. Davies, who had ridden Spring Morn on his only previous start under National Hunt rules, reclaimed the ride thereafter and went on to win two races on the four-year-old.
It was at Monmouth on March 2, 1899, that he had his first success when Spring Mint won the Hendre Hurdle, beating David Davies’ mount Kiptika by 10 lengths. Davies, who had ridden Spring Morn on his only previous start under National Hunt rules, reclaimed the ride thereafter and went on to win two races on the four-year-old.
Fred continued to have the occasional ride over the next few years but did not win another race until Easter Monday, April 1, 1907, when he rode a horse named Geoff to beat two rivals in the Novices’ Hurdle at Cardiff. Geoff had won his last two races over fences, including the United Services Chase at Sandown Park. Reverting to hurdles and with Fred aboard for the first time, he won the Cardiff race by 15 lengths.
Fred continued to have the occasional ride over the next few years but did not win another race until Easter Monday, April 1, 1907, when he rode a horse named Geoff to beat two rivals in the Novices’ Hurdle at Cardiff. Geoff had won his last two races over fences, including the United Services Chase at Sandown Park. Reverting to hurdles and with Fred aboard for the first time, he won the Cardiff race by 15 lengths.
Following a third-place finish at Colwall Park a fortnight later, Geoff went back to competing in military races, while Fred had to wait until January 25, 1908, for his next success. His mount, the six-year-old Cadwal, won the three-runner Eden Vale Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield Park by the enormous margin of 50 lengths from Melane, the mount of Joe Dillon, their task having been considerably eased when one of his rivals, Marsh Mallow, refused, badly hampering Melane in so doing.
Following a third-place finish at Colwall Park a fortnight later, Geoff went back to competing in military races, while Fred had to wait until January 25, 1908, for his next success. His mount, the six-year-old Cadwal, won the three-runner Eden Vale Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield Park by the enormous margin of 50 lengths from Melane, the mount of Joe Dillon, their task having been considerably eased when one of his rivals, Marsh Mallow, refused, badly hampering Melane in so doing.
Just six days later, Fred rode his fourth, and final, winner, when the four-year-old Pane took the Kempton Park Handicap Hurdle at that Sunbury course, beating the luckless Melane and Joe Dillon by a head. Given the close proximity between first and second, Melane may well have given Fred and Cadwal a run for their money but for being badly hampered in the Lingfield race.
Just six days later, Fred rode his fourth, and final, winner, when the four-year-old Pane took the Kempton Park Handicap Hurdle at that Sunbury course, beating the luckless Melane and Joe Dillon by a head. Given the close proximity between first and second, Melane may well have given Fred and Cadwal a run for their money but for being badly hampered in the Lingfield race.
Despite those successes, Fred lost the rides on both Cadwal and Pane to Paddy Cowley. He had his final mount soon after, when finishing third on Paymaster in the Sandling Handicap Hurdle at Folkestone on May 4, 1908.
Despite those successes, Fred lost the rides on both Cadwal and Pane to Paddy Cowley. He had his final mount soon after, when finishing third on Paymaster in the Sandling Handicap Hurdle at Folkestone on May 4, 1908.
Fred Lillywhite’s winners were, in chronological order:
Fred Lillywhite’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Spring Mint, Monmouth, March 2, 1899
1. Spring Mint, Monmouth, March 2, 1899
2. Geoff, Cardiff, April 1, 1907
2. Geoff, Cardiff, April 1, 1907
3. Cadwal, Lingfield Park, January 25, 1908
3. Cadwal, Lingfield Park, January 25, 1908
4. Pane, Kempton Park, January 31, 1908
4. Pane, Kempton Park, January 31, 1908
Fred Lillywhite's first winner: Spring Mint. 1899
Fred Lillywhite's first winner: Spring Mint. 1899