Frank Wren
Frank Wren
Frank Wren
Were it not for the fact that he rode in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, partnering the worst horse ever to run in the race, the name of Frank Wren would be long forgotten in the annals of jump racing history.
Were it not for the fact that he rode in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, partnering the worst horse ever to run in the race, the name of Frank Wren would be long forgotten in the annals of jump racing history.
Frank was a freelance National Hunt jockey whose name first appeared in print when finishing unplaced on Biddy’s Pet in the Moseley Selling Handicap Hurdle at Birmingham on January 25, 1938. Just a few weeks later, on March 17, he rode his first winner on 100-6 outsider Fantoche II in the Novices’ Hurdle at Stratford-on-Avon, beating Blunderbuss by ten lengths.
Frank was a freelance National Hunt jockey whose name first appeared in print when finishing unplaced on Biddy’s Pet in the Moseley Selling Handicap Hurdle at Birmingham on January 25, 1938. Just a few weeks later, on March 17, he rode his first winner on 100-6 outsider Fantoche II in the Novices’ Hurdle at Stratford-on-Avon, beating Blunderbuss by ten lengths.
Frank lived at Furze Cottage, Dunthrop, near Chipping Norton and could ride at 9st 9lb. His career was interrupted by the war, during which he served six years with the Royal Armoured Corps.
Frank lived at Furze Cottage, Dunthrop, near Chipping Norton and could ride at 9st 9lb. His career was interrupted by the war, during which he served six years with the Royal Armoured Corps.
His time in the Royal Armoured Corps resulted in him putting on weight and he was no longer able to do 9st 9lb when returning to race-riding in February 1945. But that was no barrier when he came in for the ride on Elsich in that year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.
His time in the Royal Armoured Corps resulted in him putting on weight and he was no longer able to do 9st 9lb when returning to race-riding in February 1945. But that was no barrier when he came in for the ride on Elsich in that year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Foaled in 1936 out of an unregistered mare by the unheard-of stallion Services Rendered, Elsich was born in obscurity, which was precisely where he belonged, except that his owner-trainer, Charles Edwards, had far greater aspirations.
Foaled in 1936 out of an unregistered mare by the unheard-of stallion Services Rendered, Elsich was born in obscurity, which was precisely where he belonged, except that his owner-trainer, Charles Edwards, had far greater aspirations.
Following the resumption of jump racing in Britain at the start of 1945, Edwards lost no time pitching Elsich in at the deep end. He made his debut in a handicap chase at Cheltenham, carrying automatic top-wight of 12st 7lb. He fell, but Edwards felt the experience had done him no harm and turned him out again 90 minutes later, resulting in another fall.
Following the resumption of jump racing in Britain at the start of 1945, Edwards lost no time pitching Elsich in at the deep end. He made his debut in a handicap chase at Cheltenham, carrying automatic top-wight of 12st 7lb. He fell, but Edwards felt the experience had done him no harm and turned him out again 90 minutes later, resulting in another fall.
Despite having so far failed to complete the course, Edwards entered Elsich in the 1945 Gold Cup. Frank took the ride but did not get far, as Elsich ran out at the second fence. That was the only occasion on which he rode Elsich during the horse’s abjectly dismal career.
Despite having so far failed to complete the course, Edwards entered Elsich in the 1945 Gold Cup. Frank took the ride but did not get far, as Elsich ran out at the second fence. That was the only occasion on which he rode Elsich during the horse’s abjectly dismal career.
Edwards ran Elsich in the following year’s Gold Cup, partnered this time by Billy Balfe, who managed to get as far as the water on the second circuit before falling. He also ran him in that year’s Grand National. Bookmakers offered 250-1 about him getting round – there was even a petition to stop him running. Nevertheless, he duly took his hopeless chance, with Balfe aboard, and fell at the first fence.
Edwards ran Elsich in the following year’s Gold Cup, partnered this time by Billy Balfe, who managed to get as far as the water on the second circuit before falling. He also ran him in that year’s Grand National. Bookmakers offered 250-1 about him getting round – there was even a petition to stop him running. Nevertheless, he duly took his hopeless chance, with Balfe aboard, and fell at the first fence.
Elsich made an audacious third bid for Gold Cup glory in 1947 with Renfield Jenkins in the saddle, but they got only as far as the third fence before the jockey pulled him up, self-preservation being his main concern.
Elsich made an audacious third bid for Gold Cup glory in 1947 with Renfield Jenkins in the saddle, but they got only as far as the third fence before the jockey pulled him up, self-preservation being his main concern.
Eventually, the Stewards of the National Hunt Committee informed Edwards they would not accept any more entries for the horse. Their decision was understandable, for Elsich had fallen in 22 of his 50 races, sometimes more than once, and either pulled up, refused or run out in another nine.
Eventually, the Stewards of the National Hunt Committee informed Edwards they would not accept any more entries for the horse. Their decision was understandable, for Elsich had fallen in 22 of his 50 races, sometimes more than once, and either pulled up, refused or run out in another nine.
It was not until September 24, 1949 that Frank Wren returned to the winner’s enclosure when Corney Barry won the Corfe Selling Handicap Hurdle at Taunton. He was obliged to put up 2lb overweight at 10st 4lb that day. He had ridden the eight-year-old on his three previous starts and the best they had managed was one fourth place. Indeed, the horse’s trainer, William Heath, was asked by the stewards to explain the difference between his Taunton performance and his previous start, but they were satisfied with the explanation.
It was not until September 24, 1949 that Frank Wren returned to the winner’s enclosure when Corney Barry won the Corfe Selling Handicap Hurdle at Taunton. He was obliged to put up 2lb overweight at 10st 4lb that day. He had ridden the eight-year-old on his three previous starts and the best they had managed was one fourth place. Indeed, the horse’s trainer, William Heath, was asked by the stewards to explain the difference between his Taunton performance and his previous start, but they were satisfied with the explanation.
Ginger Dennistoun trained Frank’s next winner when Milord II, having his first run of the season, landed the Strorrington Selling Hurdle at Fontwell Park on October 10, 1950, making all the running to score by two lengths. The horse was sold at the post-race auction, so Frank had no further chances to shine on him.
Ginger Dennistoun trained Frank’s next winner when Milord II, having his first run of the season, landed the Strorrington Selling Hurdle at Fontwell Park on October 10, 1950, making all the running to score by two lengths. The horse was sold at the post-race auction, so Frank had no further chances to shine on him.
By the time of what was to prove his final win, at West Norfolk Hunt (known today as Fakenham) on Easter Monday 1952 – evidently none the worse for a fall from C’Est Si Bon in the previous race – he had to put up 1lb overweight at 10st 8lb. His mount, Sir Cloggy, beat Complacency, the mount of Bill Marshall, to take the Fakenham Novices’ Hurdle. Frank had ridden Sir Cloggy in his last three starts, two of which had ended in falls.
By the time of what was to prove his final win, at West Norfolk Hunt (known today as Fakenham) on Easter Monday 1952 – evidently none the worse for a fall from C’Est Si Bon in the previous race – he had to put up 1lb overweight at 10st 8lb. His mount, Sir Cloggy, beat Complacency, the mount of Bill Marshall, to take the Fakenham Novices’ Hurdle. Frank had ridden Sir Cloggy in his last three starts, two of which had ended in falls.
Tim Molony took over in the saddle thereafter and Frank had just a few more rides. The last of those was when pulling up Jim’s Affair in the Orange Tip Selling Hurdle at Kempton Park on Wednesday March 11, 1953.
Tim Molony took over in the saddle thereafter and Frank had just a few more rides. The last of those was when pulling up Jim’s Affair in the Orange Tip Selling Hurdle at Kempton Park on Wednesday March 11, 1953.
Frank Wren’s winners were, in chronological order:
Frank Wren’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Fantoche II, Stratford-on-Avon, March 17, 1938
1. Fantoche II, Stratford-on-Avon, March 17, 1938
2. Corney Barry, Taunton, September 24, 1949
2. Corney Barry, Taunton, September 24, 1949
3. Milord II, Fontwell Park, October 10, 1950
3. Milord II, Fontwell Park, October 10, 1950
4. Sir Cloggy, West Norfolk Hunt (Fakenham), April 14, 1952
4. Sir Cloggy, West Norfolk Hunt (Fakenham), April 14, 1952
Frank's final winner
Frank's final winner