Freddy Lane
Freddy Lane was born in France in 1892: he was the son of Tommy Lane and the cousin of Otto Madden who had won the jockeys’ championship four times at the turn of the century.
Freddy Lane was born in France in 1892: he was the son of Tommy Lane and the cousin of Otto Madden who had won the jockeys’ championship four times at the turn of the century.
Fred rode in France before coming to England.
Fred rode in France before coming to England.
He rode his first winner on a horse named Dodo at Le Tremblay in 1908.
He rode his first winner on a horse named Dodo at Le Tremblay in 1908.
Unable to find sufficient riding opportunities in England, Lane took the advice of his friend and fellow jockey Joe Childs, and decided to try his luck in Germany. In 1914, wearing the famous black, blue and red colours of Gestüt Schlenderhan, he won German Oaks on Mon Desir.
Unable to find sufficient riding opportunities in England, Lane took the advice of his friend and fellow jockey Joe Childs, and decided to try his luck in Germany. In 1914, wearing the famous black, blue and red colours of Gestüt Schlenderhan, he won German Oaks on Mon Desir.
When war broke out, Freddy Lane – together with another dozen jockeys – was interned in Ruhleben. After the 1918 Armistice he returned to England in an attempt to pick up his career.
When war broke out, Freddy Lane – together with another dozen jockeys – was interned in Ruhleben. After the 1918 Armistice he returned to England in an attempt to pick up his career.
This time he found better luck. His first ride back, on Monday, 24 March, 1919 - Woorali in the Brocklesby - won.
This time he found better luck. His first ride back, on Monday, 24 March, 1919 - Woorali in the Brocklesby - won.
He went on to win the 1919 Ebor Handicap on Race Rock trained by Thomas Cannon Junior, then the Gimcrack the following two years on Polemarch and Scamp. His career climaxed when Steve Donoghue was unable to commit himself to April the Fifth at the start of the 1932 season. Lane was retained to ride him in all of his races by its owner/ trainer Tom Walls, who was a leading actor of the times.
He went on to win the 1919 Ebor Handicap on Race Rock trained by Thomas Cannon Junior, then the Gimcrack the following two years on Polemarch and Scamp. His career climaxed when Steve Donoghue was unable to commit himself to April the Fifth at the start of the 1932 season. Lane was retained to ride him in all of his races by its owner/ trainer Tom Walls, who was a leading actor of the times.
On June 1st - in front of an estimated one million spectators – Freddy Lane rode April the Fifth to victory in the Epsom Derby. Starting at 100/6, the big, good-looking brown horse was restrained early in the race by Lane before finishing strongly to beat the Aga Khan’s colt Dastur in the final furlong.
On June 1st - in front of an estimated one million spectators – Freddy Lane rode April the Fifth to victory in the Epsom Derby. Starting at 100/6, the big, good-looking brown horse was restrained early in the race by Lane before finishing strongly to beat the Aga Khan’s colt Dastur in the final furlong.
Freddy Lane was a sound, reliable jockey who excelled at long distance races. He continued riding until well into middle age after which he was much in demand to ride early morning work for several Newmarket trainers.
Freddy Lane was a sound, reliable jockey who excelled at long distance races. He continued riding until well into middle age after which he was much in demand to ride early morning work for several Newmarket trainers.
In 1933, he married the widow of jockey Walter Griggs, thus becoming the uncle of jockeys W Rickaby and L Piggott.
In 1933, he married the widow of jockey Walter Griggs, thus becoming the uncle of jockeys W Rickaby and L Piggott.
Fred Lane died at Newmarket on July 12, 1979 aged 87. He was cremated, and left £49,909.
Fred Lane died at Newmarket on July 12, 1979 aged 87. He was cremated, and left £49,909.
Gestüt Schlenderhan, founded in 1869, is the oldest private stud in Germany and has been owned by the Oppenheim family ever since.
Gestüt Schlenderhan, founded in 1869, is the oldest private stud in Germany and has been owned by the Oppenheim family ever since.
Ruhleben, some six miles to the west of Berlin was a civilian internment camp which contained around 5,500 prisoners. Initially the German authorities adhered to the Geneva Convention allowing food, clothing (from England), books and sports equipment into the camp. Prisoners quickly established a postal service known as the Ruhleben Express Delivery which handled 6,00 items of mail per month. On Christmas Day, 1915, the prisoners gave two performances of Cinderella, in which Freddy Lane became actively involved.
Ruhleben, some six miles to the west of Berlin was a civilian internment camp which contained around 5,500 prisoners. Initially the German authorities adhered to the Geneva Convention allowing food, clothing (from England), books and sports equipment into the camp. Prisoners quickly established a postal service known as the Ruhleben Express Delivery which handled 6,00 items of mail per month. On Christmas Day, 1915, the prisoners gave two performances of Cinderella, in which Freddy Lane became actively involved.
Other English jockeys interned at Ruhleben were Slade, Shurgold, Winter, J. Lane, Shatwell, Blades, Hamshaw, Skeets Martin, Heath, Strickland and Sam Heapy. Jockey Lister died in captivity.
Other English jockeys interned at Ruhleben were Slade, Shurgold, Winter, J. Lane, Shatwell, Blades, Hamshaw, Skeets Martin, Heath, Strickland and Sam Heapy. Jockey Lister died in captivity.
Tom Walls was a character actor who inaugurated a long-running series of farces at the Aldwych Theatre, London.
Tom Walls was a character actor who inaugurated a long-running series of farces at the Aldwych Theatre, London.
Freddy Lane’s successes include the Jockey Club Cup (Lady Juror, 1923), the Queen Alexandra Stakes (Seclin, 1925), the Ascot Stakes and the Goodwood Cup (Old Orkney, 1929) the Chester Cup (Mountain Lad, 1930), the Chesterfield Cup (Alcazar, 1934) and the Great Metropolitan (Crawley Wood, 1935).
Freddy Lane’s successes include the Jockey Club Cup (Lady Juror, 1923), the Queen Alexandra Stakes (Seclin, 1925), the Ascot Stakes and the Goodwood Cup (Old Orkney, 1929) the Chester Cup (Mountain Lad, 1930), the Chesterfield Cup (Alcazar, 1934) and the Great Metropolitan (Crawley Wood, 1935).
In 1924, after a road accident, he was cleared of killing a 7 year old girl whilst driving at only 8 mph.
In 1924, after a road accident, he was cleared of killing a 7 year old girl whilst driving at only 8 mph.
