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Franey Gerrard Matthews was born in August 1931 and hailed from Bourton, in Dorset. He served as a territorial gunner in the Queen’s Own Royal Dorset Yeomanry (an Artillery regiment) and won the Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Sandown on his hunter chaser Sunsketch in 1964 and again in 1967.
Franey Gerrard Matthews was born in August 1931 and hailed from Bourton, in Dorset. He served as a territorial gunner in the Queen’s Own Royal Dorset Yeomanry (an Artillery regiment) and won the Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Sandown on his hunter chaser Sunsketch in 1964 and again in 1967.
Captain Matthews and his wife bred Sunsketch from a hunter mare they owned called Autumn Sunshine, who was out of a Welsh cob.
Captain Matthews and his wife bred Sunsketch from a hunter mare they owned called Autumn Sunshine, who was out of a Welsh cob.
They both hunted him regularly with the Portman, while Mrs Matthews finished second on him in a point-to-point. However, soon afterwards, Sunsketch gave Mrs Matthews a bad fall, from which she was unable to resume riding.
They both hunted him regularly with the Portman, while Mrs Matthews finished second on him in a point-to-point. However, soon afterwards, Sunsketch gave Mrs Matthews a bad fall, from which she was unable to resume riding.
In 1964, despite starting a 25/1 outsider, Sunsketch wore down future Grand National winner Highland Wedding after a long duel for the lead all the way down the back straight and up to the Pond fence. Captain Matthews then drove Sunsketch into a clear lead, coming home three lengths ahead of Highland Wedding. The fact that Highland Wedding’s rider was putting up no less than 16lb overweight at 12st 2lb, did little to help the horse’s cause.
In 1964, despite starting a 25/1 outsider, Sunsketch wore down future Grand National winner Highland Wedding after a long duel for the lead all the way down the back straight and up to the Pond fence. Captain Matthews then drove Sunsketch into a clear lead, coming home three lengths ahead of Highland Wedding. The fact that Highland Wedding’s rider was putting up no less than 16lb overweight at 12st 2lb, did little to help the horse’s cause.
That was Captain Matthews’ second winner under National Hunt rules.
That was Captain Matthews’ second winner under National Hunt rules.
The first had been gained earlier that year on another of his horses, Rosaggio, (right), in the Soapey Sponge Hunters’ Chase at Newbury on February 15, 1964.
The first had been gained earlier that year on another of his horses, Rosaggio, (right), in the Soapey Sponge Hunters’ Chase at Newbury on February 15, 1964.
Sunsketch finished third and fourth in the next two Royal Artillery Gold Cups but triumphed again under Captain Matthews in 1967.
Sunsketch finished third and fourth in the next two Royal Artillery Gold Cups but triumphed again under Captain Matthews in 1967.
Having seemed to have been beaten off by the David Wales-ridden favourite Esquire, Sunsketch launched a counter-attack, with the early leader, Star o’ Somerset, also making a great bid.
Having seemed to have been beaten off by the David Wales-ridden favourite Esquire, Sunsketch launched a counter-attack, with the early leader, Star o’ Somerset, also making a great bid.
Esquire still looked the likely winner, being quicker into his stride after the last fence, but halfway up the run-in he began to hang badly to the left, while Star o’ Somerset drifted to the right. Making the most of his rivals’ erratic steering, Captain Matthews drove Sunsketch as straight as a die between them to get up close home and win by half a length from Esquire with Star o’ Somerset five lengths back in third.
Esquire still looked the likely winner, being quicker into his stride after the last fence, but halfway up the run-in he began to hang badly to the left, while Star o’ Somerset drifted to the right. Making the most of his rivals’ erratic steering, Captain Matthews drove Sunsketch as straight as a die between them to get up close home and win by half a length from Esquire with Star o’ Somerset five lengths back in third.
Attempting a third victory following year, they finished third behind Rosie’s Cousin and Esquire. By then, Captain Matthews had left the army and gone into the brewing industry.
Attempting a third victory following year, they finished third behind Rosie’s Cousin and Esquire. By then, Captain Matthews had left the army and gone into the brewing industry.
Franey Matthews’ family founded Matthews Brewery some 200 years ago. It was acquired by Hall & Woodhouse’s Dorset Brewery in 1962. He served as a director of various companies, including Badger Ales, Blandford Beer Company Ltd, Hall & Woodhouse Ltd and Woodhouse Inns Ltd.
Franey Matthews’ family founded Matthews Brewery some 200 years ago. It was acquired by Hall & Woodhouse’s Dorset Brewery in 1962. He served as a director of various companies, including Badger Ales, Blandford Beer Company Ltd, Hall & Woodhouse Ltd and Woodhouse Inns Ltd.
He has enjoyed plenty of success as an owner and still has horses in training with Seamus Mullins. His colours of dark green, yellow sash have been carried to victory in recent times by, among others, Our Jolly Swagman (won ten races), Alder Mairi (won five) and Special Conquest (won three).
He has enjoyed plenty of success as an owner and still has horses in training with Seamus Mullins. His colours of dark green, yellow sash have been carried to victory in recent times by, among others, Our Jolly Swagman (won ten races), Alder Mairi (won five) and Special Conquest (won three).
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