Fred Rimell
1913 - 1981
1913 - 1981
Born in Newmarket on June 24, 1913, Thomas Frederick Rimell began as apprentice to his father Tom Rimell, who trained at Kinnersley in Worcestershire. Aged 12, he rode his first winner on the flat at Chepstow in 1927 before, gaining weight, he switched to jumping and becoming champion NH jockey on three occasions. However, a fall from Coloured Schoolboy in the 1947 Cheltenham Gold Cup broke his neck for a second time, and, giving up riding, he turned to training in 1945.
Born in Newmarket on June 24, 1913, Thomas Frederick Rimell began as apprentice to his father Tom Rimell, who trained at Kinnersley in Worcestershire. Aged 12, he rode his first winner on the flat at Chepstow in 1927 before, gaining weight, he switched to jumping and becoming champion NH jockey on three occasions. However, a fall from Coloured Schoolboy in the 1947 Cheltenham Gold Cup broke his neck for a second time, and, giving up riding, he turned to training in 1945.
As good as he’d been as a jockey, he positively excelled as a trainer and is remembered as the only man in recent times to have trained four winners of the Grand National. Fred headed the list of NH winning trainers five times and was the first jumping trainer to earn his patrons one million pounds.
As good as he’d been as a jockey, he positively excelled as a trainer and is remembered as the only man in recent times to have trained four winners of the Grand National. Fred headed the list of NH winning trainers five times and was the first jumping trainer to earn his patrons one million pounds.
His last important winner was Gaye Chance who, ridden by Sam Morshead, won the season’s richest handicap hurdle, the Royal Doulton, at Haydock Park in May, just a few weeks before his death.
His last important winner was Gaye Chance who, ridden by Sam Morshead, won the season’s richest handicap hurdle, the Royal Doulton, at Haydock Park in May, just a few weeks before his death.
Fred Rimell passed away at his home at Kinnersley on Sunday morning July 12, 1981. He was 68.
Fred Rimell passed away at his home at Kinnersley on Sunday morning July 12, 1981. He was 68.
He left an estate valued at £274,824.
He left an estate valued at £274,824.
He was married to Mercy Cockburn, who assisted Fred in running the stable. She, plus a son and a daughter, survived him.
He was married to Mercy Cockburn, who assisted Fred in running the stable. She, plus a son and a daughter, survived him.
Best wins:
Best wins:
1936: National Hunt Handicap Chase - Avenger
1936: National Hunt Handicap Chase - Avenger
1938: National Hunt Handicap Chase - Terne Willow
1938: National Hunt Handicap Chase - Terne Willow
1940: County Hurdle - Sam Brown
1940: County Hurdle - Sam Brown
1941: Cathcart Challenge Cup - Knight O'London
1941: Cathcart Challenge Cup - Knight O'London
1945: Champion Hurdle - Brains Trust
1945: Champion Hurdle - Brains Trust
Fred, aged just 12, sat astride his first winner, Rolie, which scored at Chepstow
Fred, aged just 12, sat astride his first winner, Rolie, which scored at Chepstow