Frank Muggeridge
1927 - 1996
1927 - 1996
Francis Menin Muggeridge was born on August 2, 1927. He was apprenticed to Tom Walls and rode on the Flat as an apprentice during the war, then from 1945 to 1955 he rode under National Hunt rules.
Francis Menin Muggeridge was born on August 2, 1927. He was apprenticed to Tom Walls and rode on the Flat as an apprentice during the war, then from 1945 to 1955 he rode under National Hunt rules.
Frank achieved his best score of eight in the 1950/51 season. Three of those wins came courtesy of two-mile chaser Victory Moon , on whom he won at Hurst Park on February 9, and twice at Wye on February 26 and March 19, 1951. He also won two Fontwell novice hurdles aboard Retlaw on March 15 and April 10.
Frank achieved his best score of eight in the 1950/51 season. Three of those wins came courtesy of two-mile chaser Victory Moon , on whom he won at Hurst Park on February 9, and twice at Wye on February 26 and March 19, 1951. He also won two Fontwell novice hurdles aboard Retlaw on March 15 and April 10.
He had his share of falls and injuries including a fractured skull, a broken back, broken leg, broken ankle and fractured ribs. He also received facial injuries and almost had an ear torn off. He rode his final winner on Acrobaleno at Fontwell on September 28, 1953 .
He had his share of falls and injuries including a fractured skull, a broken back, broken leg, broken ankle and fractured ribs. He also received facial injuries and almost had an ear torn off. He rode his final winner on Acrobaleno at Fontwell on September 28, 1953 .
He took up training in October 1956 and had his first feature race win with Soapey Sponge in the Rank Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle at Fontwell on November 3, 1958. His best horses included Another Rondo, James Edgar, Pelican’s Pay, who won many races over fences, mostly in selling company, and Shawnigan, who gave Frank his biggest training success when winning the Blue Circle Handicap Chase at Ascot in January 1973.
He took up training in October 1956 and had his first feature race win with Soapey Sponge in the Rank Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle at Fontwell on November 3, 1958. His best horses included Another Rondo, James Edgar, Pelican’s Pay, who won many races over fences, mostly in selling company, and Shawnigan, who gave Frank his biggest training success when winning the Blue Circle Handicap Chase at Ascot in January 1973.
His three sons, Tim, Russell and Menin, all rode over jumps.
His three sons, Tim, Russell and Menin, all rode over jumps.
Frank bought a pub when he retired, and it was there that his son, Menin, met Norwegian racehorse owner Kurt Eng. Menin was offered, and took, a job as stable jockey for Mr Eng, who raced horses mainly in Denmark. Menin rode over 50 winners in Scandinavia before becoming too heavy for their range of handicap weights. Aged 23, he returned to a job as claiming jockey with Mercy Rimell in Worcestershire.
Frank bought a pub when he retired, and it was there that his son, Menin, met Norwegian racehorse owner Kurt Eng. Menin was offered, and took, a job as stable jockey for Mr Eng, who raced horses mainly in Denmark. Menin rode over 50 winners in Scandinavia before becoming too heavy for their range of handicap weights. Aged 23, he returned to a job as claiming jockey with Mercy Rimell in Worcestershire.
Frank Muggeridge died of a heart attack in Salisbury on September 22, 1996, aged 69.
Frank Muggeridge died of a heart attack in Salisbury on September 22, 1996, aged 69.