Fred Withington
1869 - 1951
1869 - 1951
Frederick Edward Withington, son of Edward, a local parson, was born on 19 February in 1869 and was an outstanding amateur jockey.
Frederick Edward Withington, son of Edward, a local parson, was born on 19 February in 1869 and was an outstanding amateur jockey.
He was brought up at Fringford Lodge, near Bicester.
He was brought up at Fringford Lodge, near Bicester.
He rode in two Nationals. He finished third on Ford of Fyne in 1897 to Manifesto and, the following year, finished sixth on the same horse.
He rode in two Nationals. He finished third on Ford of Fyne in 1897 to Manifesto and, the following year, finished sixth on the same horse.
Fred began his riding career due to the misfortune of jockey Mr J C Dormer who for the past seven seasons had ridden for Arthur Yates. Dormer took a crashing fall at Sandown, losing his right eye. His promising career blown apart, he set up as trainer at Cokethorpe Park and asked Fred to be his jockey.
Fred began his riding career due to the misfortune of jockey Mr J C Dormer who for the past seven seasons had ridden for Arthur Yates. Dormer took a crashing fall at Sandown, losing his right eye. His promising career blown apart, he set up as trainer at Cokethorpe Park and asked Fred to be his jockey.
It proved a winning combination: in 1897 Fred rode 22 winners from just 56 rides. Some of the better class horses he rode were The Sapper, Lady Gundrede and Graig Olway, on which Fred won nine times from twelve starts.
It proved a winning combination: in 1897 Fred rode 22 winners from just 56 rides. Some of the better class horses he rode were The Sapper, Lady Gundrede and Graig Olway, on which Fred won nine times from twelve starts.
Graig Olway also provided Fred with his first-ever win over the Aintree fences: on Saturday, March 28, 1896, they won the Champion Steeplechase at Liverpool.
Graig Olway also provided Fred with his first-ever win over the Aintree fences: on Saturday, March 28, 1896, they won the Champion Steeplechase at Liverpool.
Fred also rode Ford of Fyne to victory there in the Valentine's Chase, beating the odds-on Ballet Girl. Ford of Fyne became Fred's first Grand National mount in 1897 and did well to finish third. The following year they were back, but this time Fred & Ford of Fyne could only finish 5th. The race was run in a snowstorm.
Fred also rode Ford of Fyne to victory there in the Valentine's Chase, beating the odds-on Ballet Girl. Ford of Fyne became Fred's first Grand National mount in 1897 and did well to finish third. The following year they were back, but this time Fred & Ford of Fyne could only finish 5th. The race was run in a snowstorm.
Other big races that Fred won included the Great Bangor Open (Prioress). Warwick's Leamington Grand Annual Chase (Furze Hill) and, in 1897, Newmarket's Grand Military Chase (Green Hill).
Other big races that Fred won included the Great Bangor Open (Prioress). Warwick's Leamington Grand Annual Chase (Furze Hill) and, in 1897, Newmarket's Grand Military Chase (Green Hill).
In December 1894 Fred, after breaking a leg, rode Graig Olway to victory at Lingfield. He wore a plaster cast whilst doing so.
In December 1894 Fred, after breaking a leg, rode Graig Olway to victory at Lingfield. He wore a plaster cast whilst doing so.
This was not the first time Fred had clambered up on a horse not 100% fit. With a broken collarbone and an arm strapped to his side, he rode The Sapper to a thrilling win, just getting the better of Mr Gwyn Saunders-Davies on Minstrel Boy.
This was not the first time Fred had clambered up on a horse not 100% fit. With a broken collarbone and an arm strapped to his side, he rode The Sapper to a thrilling win, just getting the better of Mr Gwyn Saunders-Davies on Minstrel Boy.
On another occasion, Fred injured a foot jumping a fence, but carried on to the finish. So swollen was his foot afterwards that his boot had to be cut off.
On another occasion, Fred injured a foot jumping a fence, but carried on to the finish. So swollen was his foot afterwards that his boot had to be cut off.
Shortly after, Fred began training from Danesbury, near Stockbridge, not retiring until 1930.
Shortly after, Fred began training from Danesbury, near Stockbridge, not retiring until 1930.
He stayed in racing, becoming a member of The National Hunt Committee and the Jockey Club. His normal attire when attending was a blue suit with narrow trousers, a stiff collar, an Old Etonian tie and a bowler hat.
He stayed in racing, becoming a member of The National Hunt Committee and the Jockey Club. His normal attire when attending was a blue suit with narrow trousers, a stiff collar, an Old Etonian tie and a bowler hat.
The kindest of men, always ready to help another, Fred Withington died on 6 December, 1951, aged 82. His funeral service was conducted at Stratton Audley where his father had officiated for many years.
The kindest of men, always ready to help another, Fred Withington died on 6 December, 1951, aged 82. His funeral service was conducted at Stratton Audley where his father had officiated for many years.
Fred trained Red Splash to win the first-ever Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Fred trained Red Splash to win the first-ever Cheltenham Gold Cup.