Fulke Walwyn
1910 - 1991
1910 - 1991
The son of an army colonel, Fulke Thomas Tyndall Walwyn was the amateur jockey who rode Reynoldstown to the second of its two Grand National victories in 1936. This, despite losing his whip on the first circuit and a stirrup iron on the second. He had, at the time, already been champion amateur twice in five seasons.
The son of an army colonel, Fulke Thomas Tyndall Walwyn was the amateur jockey who rode Reynoldstown to the second of its two Grand National victories in 1936. This, despite losing his whip on the first circuit and a stirrup iron on the second. He had, at the time, already been champion amateur twice in five seasons.
Born on 8 November 1910 in Wrexham and educated at Malvern College, he was forced to retire from riding after taking a bad fall at Ludlow in April 1939. He was unconscious for a month and fitted with a metal plate in his head. Warned that further injury might prove fatal he took out a training licence in 1938 and went on to become one of the greatest National Hunt trainers of all time.
Born on 8 November 1910 in Wrexham and educated at Malvern College, he was forced to retire from riding after taking a bad fall at Ludlow in April 1939. He was unconscious for a month and fitted with a metal plate in his head. Warned that further injury might prove fatal he took out a training licence in 1938 and went on to become one of the greatest National Hunt trainers of all time.
He turned professional in 1937, riding for George Beeby, but a fall and a badly broken arm kept him out of the season for most of the season.
He turned professional in 1937, riding for George Beeby, but a fall and a badly broken arm kept him out of the season for most of the season.
He trained the winners of four Cheltenham Gold Cups, two Champion Hurdles. five King George VI Chases, seven Whitbread Gold Cups, seven Hennessy Gold Cups and a Grand National in 1964 with Team Spirit. He was British jump racing Champion Trainer five times.
He trained the winners of four Cheltenham Gold Cups, two Champion Hurdles. five King George VI Chases, seven Whitbread Gold Cups, seven Hennessy Gold Cups and a Grand National in 1964 with Team Spirit. He was British jump racing Champion Trainer five times.
He trained 40 winners at the Cheltenham Festival between 1946 and 1986, a record which stood until beaten by Nicky Henderson in 2012, and he is commemorated in the title of the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the Festival. Among his notable owners were the Queen Mother and Dorothy Paget.
He trained 40 winners at the Cheltenham Festival between 1946 and 1986, a record which stood until beaten by Nicky Henderson in 2012, and he is commemorated in the title of the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the Festival. Among his notable owners were the Queen Mother and Dorothy Paget.
As well as his many National Hunt victories, he trained Dorothy Paget's Aldborough to win the Doncaster Cup and Queen Alexandra Stakes on the Flat.
As well as his many National Hunt victories, he trained Dorothy Paget's Aldborough to win the Doncaster Cup and Queen Alexandra Stakes on the Flat.
Walwyn became a household name when, in 1964, his Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Mill House defended his crown against Arkle in a race that saw Arkle win the first of his three Gold Cups.
Walwyn became a household name when, in 1964, his Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Mill House defended his crown against Arkle in a race that saw Arkle win the first of his three Gold Cups.
Fulke died peacefully at his home, Saxon House in Lambourn on Monday evening, 18 February, 1991. He had been ill for some time but, just a day before his death, had found the strength to show the Queen Mother around his stables. Cath, the trainer's widow, phoned her after his death.
Fulke died peacefully at his home, Saxon House in Lambourn on Monday evening, 18 February, 1991. He had been ill for some time but, just a day before his death, had found the strength to show the Queen Mother around his stables. Cath, the trainer's widow, phoned her after his death.
Bill Smith, his stable jockey for ten years, said 'He was fiercely loyal to his jockeys but also very fierce to anybody if anything went wrong.'
Bill Smith, his stable jockey for ten years, said 'He was fiercely loyal to his jockeys but also very fierce to anybody if anything went wrong.'
Smith added 'I never rode for anyone who equalled his training ability, but the extraordinary thing about him was that he couldn't tell you what he was doing or why. Some people follow a plan, but not Fulke. He followed his instinct.'
Smith added 'I never rode for anyone who equalled his training ability, but the extraordinary thing about him was that he couldn't tell you what he was doing or why. Some people follow a plan, but not Fulke. He followed his instinct.'
Saxon House, Fulke's headquarters, was named after John Saxon, who trained there in 1850. Fulke moved in during 1944 when Ted Gwilt left.
Saxon House, Fulke's headquarters, was named after John Saxon, who trained there in 1850. Fulke moved in during 1944 when Ted Gwilt left.
Fulke rode out every morning until he was sixty-six.
Fulke rode out every morning until he was sixty-six.
He hated delegating, having to be personally involved with everything concerned with the yard. If he couldn't do something himself, he would have to see it being done.
He hated delegating, having to be personally involved with everything concerned with the yard. If he couldn't do something himself, he would have to see it being done.
Best wins:
Best wins:
1936: Grand National - Reynoldstown
1936: Grand National - Reynoldstown
1936: County Hurdle - Black Isle
1936: County Hurdle - Black Isle
1939: Gloucester Hurdle - Mansur
1939: Gloucester Hurdle - Mansur