Fred Winter Sr.
1894 - 1965
1894 - 1965
Fred Neville Winter, Sr., born at Feltham, Middlesex, on July 2 1894, was the father of ex-champion National Hunt jockey and trainer Fred Winter (and his brother Johnny Rous Winter).
Fred Neville Winter, Sr., born at Feltham, Middlesex, on July 2 1894, was the father of ex-champion National Hunt jockey and trainer Fred Winter (and his brother Johnny Rous Winter).
Fred, the son of a publican. had his first ride in public in 1909.
Fred, the son of a publican. had his first ride in public in 1909.
His first winner was Humorist at Newmarket on April 12, 1910.
His first winner was Humorist at Newmarket on April 12, 1910.
His first ride over the sticks was The Wrekin (unplaced) at Birmingham on November 28, 1921
His first ride over the sticks was The Wrekin (unplaced) at Birmingham on November 28, 1921
Fred, then aged thirteen, began his apprenticeship at Newmarket in 1908. Three years later he won the Oaks and, with seventy-five winners, became Champion Apprentice.
Fred, then aged thirteen, began his apprenticeship at Newmarket in 1908. Three years later he won the Oaks and, with seventy-five winners, became Champion Apprentice.
The bungalow in which Fred Winter junior would be born was named after his father's Oaks winner, Cherimoya.
The bungalow in which Fred Winter junior would be born was named after his father's Oaks winner, Cherimoya.
In 1914, as war broke out, Fred was in Germany having taken a job riding for the Kaiser in Royal Estates.
In 1914, as war broke out, Fred was in Germany having taken a job riding for the Kaiser in Royal Estates.
He failed to get out of the country in time and spent four years in the Ruhleben prisoner-of-war camp just outside Berlin.
He failed to get out of the country in time and spent four years in the Ruhleben prisoner-of-war camp just outside Berlin.
Like so many others, he lost four precious years of his career: worse, at war's cessation he weighed over 11 stone.
Like so many others, he lost four precious years of his career: worse, at war's cessation he weighed over 11 stone.
He faced an uphill struggle to restore a racing jockey's weight and, once achieved, continued racing until 1929, riding first for Frank Hartigan and then, in Newmarket, for the Joel family.
He faced an uphill struggle to restore a racing jockey's weight and, once achieved, continued racing until 1929, riding first for Frank Hartigan and then, in Newmarket, for the Joel family.
Having retired from the saddle, Fred applied for a licence to train at Newmarket but his application was turned down. He decided, instead, to move to Epsom where a second application for a trainer's licence was successful.
Having retired from the saddle, Fred applied for a licence to train at Newmarket but his application was turned down. He decided, instead, to move to Epsom where a second application for a trainer's licence was successful.
The family set up home, with a medium-sized training yard, near the Epsom Downs railway station.
The family set up home, with a medium-sized training yard, near the Epsom Downs railway station.
The venture was not a success. He had only a few small owners and was unable to make it pay. He gave up the operation and went to work on a night shift in a factory on Kingston by-pass.
The venture was not a success. He had only a few small owners and was unable to make it pay. He gave up the operation and went to work on a night shift in a factory on Kingston by-pass.
It was a disaster - after a lifetime of working with horses, life on the shop floor nearly killed him.
It was a disaster - after a lifetime of working with horses, life on the shop floor nearly killed him.
His luck changed dramatically when Percy Bartholomew asked him to move to Kent and train his private string of horses. Fred leapt at the offer, and the family re-located to Southfleet.
His luck changed dramatically when Percy Bartholomew asked him to move to Kent and train his private string of horses. Fred leapt at the offer, and the family re-located to Southfleet.
Fred and his wife Ann had four children altogether; the two girls were called Shelia and Pat.
Fred and his wife Ann had four children altogether; the two girls were called Shelia and Pat.
Fred died at his home in Highfield Bury Road at Newmarket on Friday, July 9th 1965, aged 71.
Fred died at his home in Highfield Bury Road at Newmarket on Friday, July 9th 1965, aged 71.
He left £10,195 to his son Johnny.
He left £10,195 to his son Johnny.
Other big wins included 1911 Stewards' Cup (Braxted), the 1928 Doncaster Cup (Pons Asinorum), 1928 Victoria Cup (Fohanaun) & the 1929 Irish Derby (Kopi).
Other big wins included 1911 Stewards' Cup (Braxted), the 1928 Doncaster Cup (Pons Asinorum), 1928 Victoria Cup (Fohanaun) & the 1929 Irish Derby (Kopi).
