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Fred McCabe, who always wore a steel-lined cap when riding
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Frederick William McCabe was an Australian jockey who had five winners over jumps in Britain shortly after World War I.
Frederick William McCabe was an Australian jockey who had five winners over jumps in Britain shortly after World War I.
He had his first ride in England on Watergruel, who finished sixth in the valuable Victory Handicap Hurdle at Manchester on January 2, 1919. The eight-year-old, owned by Richard Wootton and trained by Thomas Sherrard, then gave Fred his first English win two weeks later when taking the Deepdene Handicap Hurdle at Gatwick by ten lengths.
He had his first ride in England on Watergruel, who finished sixth in the valuable Victory Handicap Hurdle at Manchester on January 2, 1919. The eight-year-old, owned by Richard Wootton and trained by Thomas Sherrard, then gave Fred his first English win two weeks later when taking the Deepdene Handicap Hurdle at Gatwick by ten lengths.
Although he did not add to his total that year – he had very few mounts – he did partner Picture Saint in the Grand National, but the Irish raider fell.
Although he did not add to his total that year – he had very few mounts – he did partner Picture Saint in the Grand National, but the Irish raider fell.
Fred did not ride in Britain in 1920 but returned the following year and had two more wins. The first of those was at Hawthorn Hill on November 11 when Capable lived up to his name by winning the Slough Handicap Hurdle by four lengths. The pair turned out again the following day at the same course and finished third in the Windsor Handicap Hurdle.
Fred did not ride in Britain in 1920 but returned the following year and had two more wins. The first of those was at Hawthorn Hill on November 11 when Capable lived up to his name by winning the Slough Handicap Hurdle by four lengths. The pair turned out again the following day at the same course and finished third in the Windsor Handicap Hurdle.
The Mill Hurdle at Windsor on December 14 was Fred’s other win that year aboard the Ossie Bell-trained Catskin, the margin of victory over Woodchurch, ridden by Roger Burford Snr, being one and a half lengths.
The Mill Hurdle at Windsor on December 14 was Fred’s other win that year aboard the Ossie Bell-trained Catskin, the margin of victory over Woodchurch, ridden by Roger Burford Snr, being one and a half lengths.
Fred was involved in a much tighter finish at Windsor on January 12, 1922, when his mount Rivobed, and Sybarite, ridden by Herbert Smyth, could not be separated at the end of the Gardener Selling Handicap Hurdle.
Fred was involved in a much tighter finish at Windsor on January 12, 1922, when his mount Rivobed, and Sybarite, ridden by Herbert Smyth, could not be separated at the end of the Gardener Selling Handicap Hurdle.
His last British victory was his most important, when Great Fun won the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Cardiff on Easter Monday, April 17, 1922. The five-year-old scored by one and a half lengths from Temeside, ridden by Ivor Anthony.
His last British victory was his most important, when Great Fun won the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Cardiff on Easter Monday, April 17, 1922. The five-year-old scored by one and a half lengths from Temeside, ridden by Ivor Anthony.
The day after his Cardiff triumph, April 18, 1922, Fred had his final ride in Britain when finishing third on Gaunt Boy in the City Selling Handicap Hurdle at Manchester.
The day after his Cardiff triumph, April 18, 1922, Fred had his final ride in Britain when finishing third on Gaunt Boy in the City Selling Handicap Hurdle at Manchester.
Fred McCabe’s British winners were, in chronological order:
Fred McCabe’s British winners were, in chronological order:
1. Watergruel, Gatwick, January 16, 1919
1. Watergruel, Gatwick, January 16, 1919
2. Capable, Hawthorn Hill, November 11, 1921
2. Capable, Hawthorn Hill, November 11, 1921
3. Catskin, Windsor, December 14, 1921
3. Catskin, Windsor, December 14, 1921
4. Rivobed, Windsor, January 12, 1922 (dead heat).
4. Rivobed, Windsor, January 12, 1922 (dead heat).
5. Great Fun, Cardiff, April 17, 1922
5. Great Fun, Cardiff, April 17, 1922
Fred McCabe won his most important race, the Welsh Champion Hurdle, on Easter Monday, April 17, 1922 on Great Fun
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