Freddie Maxwell
William Farnham Maxwell was born at Birr, Co. Offaly on June 6, 1905. Never known by either of his Christian names, he was called either ‘Freddie’ or ‘Maxie’.
William Farnham Maxwell was born at Birr, Co. Offaly on June 6, 1905. Never known by either of his Christian names, he was called either ‘Freddie’ or ‘Maxie’.
Though he came from a hunting background, he had never officially served an apprenticeship before coming to England in 1923 and joining the stable of Aubrey Hastings at Wroughton, Wiltshire.
Though he came from a hunting background, he had never officially served an apprenticeship before coming to England in 1923 and joining the stable of Aubrey Hastings at Wroughton, Wiltshire.
He made an inauspicious start to his British race-riding career, falling on Daisy Cutter, his debut ride, in a Folkestone selling chase on February 10, 1927. He had to wait until December 5 of that year before finally breaking the ice on Pine Bluff in the Beginners’ Hurdle at Plumpton
He made an inauspicious start to his British race-riding career, falling on Daisy Cutter, his debut ride, in a Folkestone selling chase on February 10, 1927. He had to wait until December 5 of that year before finally breaking the ice on Pine Bluff in the Beginners’ Hurdle at Plumpton
Among the best horses he rode during the early part of his career was the mare Georginatown. Having spent the summer of 1930 back in Ireland, he rode her to win six chases within the space of three months, taking in such long-lost venues as Rathkeale, Tuam and Miltown Malbay. That autumn, Georginatown was dispatched to Britain and Freddie rode her to win a pair of handicap chases on successive days at Monmouth’s two-day October meeting. Starting the evens favourite for the three-mile Monmouth Handicap Chase on the first day, Freddie and Georginatown just got the best of a great battle in which only two heads divided the first three. Dropped in trip to two miles for the next day’s Club Handicap Chase and shouldering 12st 12lb including a 5lb penalty for their win the previous day, they scraped home in an even tighter finish which the first three were separated by two short-heads.
Among the best horses he rode during the early part of his career was the mare Georginatown. Having spent the summer of 1930 back in Ireland, he rode her to win six chases within the space of three months, taking in such long-lost venues as Rathkeale, Tuam and Miltown Malbay. That autumn, Georginatown was dispatched to Britain and Freddie rode her to win a pair of handicap chases on successive days at Monmouth’s two-day October meeting. Starting the evens favourite for the three-mile Monmouth Handicap Chase on the first day, Freddie and Georginatown just got the best of a great battle in which only two heads divided the first three. Dropped in trip to two miles for the next day’s Club Handicap Chase and shouldering 12st 12lb including a 5lb penalty for their win the previous day, they scraped home in an even tighter finish which the first three were separated by two short-heads.
Despite their run of successes together, leading amateur rider Ginger Whitfield then took over on Georginatown, who went on to win again at Manchester next time out and then landed the Valentine Chase over part of Aintree’s Grand National course. However, Freddie was reunited with her for the 1931 Grand National, for which they were prominent in the betting as 20-1 chances. They were unlucky not to be placed, falling at the last fence when in third position.
Despite their run of successes together, leading amateur rider Ginger Whitfield then took over on Georginatown, who went on to win again at Manchester next time out and then landed the Valentine Chase over part of Aintree’s Grand National course. However, Freddie was reunited with her for the 1931 Grand National, for which they were prominent in the betting as 20-1 chances. They were unlucky not to be placed, falling at the last fence when in third position.
Freddie’s next Grand National mount was in 1932 aboard 100-1 shot Ace II, on whom he’d fished second in Cheltenham’s National Hunt Chase earlier that month. Ace II was one of just nine horses remaining at halfway but refused on the run down towards Becher’s.
Freddie’s next Grand National mount was in 1932 aboard 100-1 shot Ace II, on whom he’d fished second in Cheltenham’s National Hunt Chase earlier that month. Ace II was one of just nine horses remaining at halfway but refused on the run down towards Becher’s.
Freddie’s third Grand National ride was 50-1 shot Slater in 1935. Slater had finished third in the race two years earlier but, surprisingly, this normally surefooted jumper fell at the second fence.
Freddie’s third Grand National ride was 50-1 shot Slater in 1935. Slater had finished third in the race two years earlier but, surprisingly, this normally surefooted jumper fell at the second fence.
His fourth and final attempt in the world’s most famous steeplechase came on 40-1 chance Tapinois in 1937. In front over the first fence, they were lying second jumping Becher’s first time but fell somewhere out in the country before the remaining runners came onto the ‘racecourse proper’.
His fourth and final attempt in the world’s most famous steeplechase came on 40-1 chance Tapinois in 1937. In front over the first fence, they were lying second jumping Becher’s first time but fell somewhere out in the country before the remaining runners came onto the ‘racecourse proper’.
Although he rode occasionally on the Flat during the 1930s, he enjoyed far more success over jumps. His best season was the 1934/35 campaign in which he rode 29 winners, placing him joint tenth in the National Hunt jockeys’ championship table.
Although he rode occasionally on the Flat during the 1930s, he enjoyed far more success over jumps. His best season was the 1934/35 campaign in which he rode 29 winners, placing him joint tenth in the National Hunt jockeys’ championship table.
He moved around during his career as a jump jockey – at one time he went to ride in Sweden – but he was considered good enough for some of the top trainers, and Reg Hobbs and Bob Gore were among those to put him up.
He moved around during his career as a jump jockey – at one time he went to ride in Sweden – but he was considered good enough for some of the top trainers, and Reg Hobbs and Bob Gore were among those to put him up.
By 1938 he returned to Ireland and started training, beginning with just two horses. One of them was Irish Salmon, about whom Freddie had £1.600 to £200 when the horse gave him his first training victory in a Down Royal bumper on March 15, 1939.
By 1938 he returned to Ireland and started training, beginning with just two horses. One of them was Irish Salmon, about whom Freddie had £1.600 to £200 when the horse gave him his first training victory in a Down Royal bumper on March 15, 1939.
Soon after the outbreak of the Second World War he returned to England and enlisted in the RAF. After demobilization in 1945, he trained for a short time as Wiseton, near Doncaster, and briefly resumed his career as a jockey. He rode what proved to be his last winner on 11-10 favourite Prince Palette in the Hornby Handicap Chase at Catterick Bridge on December 21, 1945. He had his final ride four months later, finishing unplaced on Sir Pomm in the Spring Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby on April 20, 1946, bringing to an end a career in which he had ridden a total of 116 winners over jumps in Britain, along with plenty more in his native Ireland.
Soon after the outbreak of the Second World War he returned to England and enlisted in the RAF. After demobilization in 1945, he trained for a short time as Wiseton, near Doncaster, and briefly resumed his career as a jockey. He rode what proved to be his last winner on 11-10 favourite Prince Palette in the Hornby Handicap Chase at Catterick Bridge on December 21, 1945. He had his final ride four months later, finishing unplaced on Sir Pomm in the Spring Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby on April 20, 1946, bringing to an end a career in which he had ridden a total of 116 winners over jumps in Britain, along with plenty more in his native Ireland.
He trained briefly at Retford, in Nottinghamshire, then in 1950 became assistant trainer to Evan Williams at Kingsclere. He was there during the career of the inaugural King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Supreme Court.
He trained briefly at Retford, in Nottinghamshire, then in 1950 became assistant trainer to Evan Williams at Kingsclere. He was there during the career of the inaugural King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Supreme Court.
On Williams’ retirement in the autumn of 1953, Freddie started to train again at Blewbury, where he embarked on the 1954 Flat season with 13 horses, including Milk Shoe, who won seven races in 1955. By the time he moved to Lambourn House Stables in Lambourn at the beginning of 1959, the size of his string had doubled.
On Williams’ retirement in the autumn of 1953, Freddie started to train again at Blewbury, where he embarked on the 1954 Flat season with 13 horses, including Milk Shoe, who won seven races in 1955. By the time he moved to Lambourn House Stables in Lambourn at the beginning of 1959, the size of his string had doubled.
In the spring of 1961, he won the Queen’s Prize with Pandofell and trained him to such effect that he added the Yorkshire Cup, Ascot Gold Cup and Doncaster Cup the same season. Another important stayer was Fighting Charlie, whom he trained to win back-to-back Ascot Gold Cups in 1965 and 1966.
In the spring of 1961, he won the Queen’s Prize with Pandofell and trained him to such effect that he added the Yorkshire Cup, Ascot Gold Cup and Doncaster Cup the same season. Another important stayer was Fighting Charlie, whom he trained to win back-to-back Ascot Gold Cups in 1965 and 1966.
His other good stayers were Horse Radish, winner of the Northumberland Plate in 1963, and Alto Volante who won the 1971 Yorkshire Cup. On the sprinting side, he trained the 1960 Portland Handicap winner Accompanist and the 1965 July Cup heroine Merry Madcap.
His other good stayers were Horse Radish, winner of the Northumberland Plate in 1963, and Alto Volante who won the 1971 Yorkshire Cup. On the sprinting side, he trained the 1960 Portland Handicap winner Accompanist and the 1965 July Cup heroine Merry Madcap.
In 1970 he trained the champion two-year-old Cawston’s Pride, who went through the year undefeated in seven races including the Queen Mary, Molecomb, Lowther and Cornwallis Stakes.
In 1970 he trained the champion two-year-old Cawston’s Pride, who went through the year undefeated in seven races including the Queen Mary, Molecomb, Lowther and Cornwallis Stakes.
Freddie Maxwell retired from training at the end of 1977. He died on June 2, 1991, aged 85.
Freddie Maxwell retired from training at the end of 1977. He died on June 2, 1991, aged 85.