Sometimes, it’s easy to forget that so many of today’s jockeys and trainers are standing on the shoulders of giants that have long since passed.
Without Vincent O’Brien, Coolmore Stud, home to the Champion trainer Aidan O’Brien (no relation), would not exist, and without Fred Winter, we wouldn’t have had the epic battles between Red Rum and Crisp in the 1970s.
That, and of course, the fact that he is still the only person to have won the Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle as both jockey and trainer.
His ability to excel at the highest level in both roles sets him apart as one of the greatest influences in horse racing over the last century.
It all began in 1926 when Fred was born into an already well-established sporting family in Andover, Hampshire.
His father, also named Fred Winter, was a successful jockey in his own right, having won the Epsom Oaks in 1911 at the tender age of 16, riding Cherimoya.
Initially, Fred attempted to follow in his father's footsteps as a flat racing jockey. However, he struggled to maintain the low weight required for flat racing and soon transitioned to jump racing.
Early Years As A Jockey
Winter's early years as a National Hunt jockey were challenging. He faced numerous injuries and initially lacked enthusiasm for jumping obstacles.
Not one to give up and simply accept defeat, his determination gradually transformed him into one of the greatest jump jockeys in British racing history.
The turning point came in the 1952-53 season when he claimed his first jockey championship with a record-breaking 121 winners, a record that stood for 14 years until Josh Gifford surpassed it in the 1966-67 season.
If that were to happen today, we would all be online sticking a few quid on him with the best horse racing bookies, but back more than 70 years ago, options were very limited!
But for those that did follow his career, he went on to win the jockey championship three more times in 1955-56, 1956-57, and 1957-58.
Major Victories
Winter's list of achievements is impressive. He won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice, the Champion Hurdle three times, and the Grand National twice.
Grand National
The Grand National at Aintree is arguably the most famous steeplechase in the world, and Winter conquered it twice.
His first Grand National victory came in 1957 aboard Sundew for trainer Frank Hudson. What makes it even more impressive is that trainer Fred Rimell had won it the year before with E.S.B. and Vincent O’Brien the year before that with Quare Times.
Essentially he was beating the best in the business and continued to do so when he won the race again in 1962 on Kilmore.
Again, he went up against a former Fred Rimmel Grand National winner, this time in the form of Nicolaus Silver.
We all know that winning the Grand National is a crowning achievement for any jockey, but to do it twice is exceptional, especially given the level of competition at the time.
Cheltenham Gold Cup
At around the same time, Winter also won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice.
In 1961, he rode Saffron Tartan to victory at the Festival, with Mandarin finishing in third spot, which is interesting because it gives context to what happened the following year.
This time around, in 1962, Winter was paired with Mandarin for four-time Gold Cup winning trainer Fulke Walwyn.
Whether it was the influence of the trainer in the year that had passed or Winter’s jockeying skills, we’ll never know. Either way, he won the Gold Cup again.
Champion Hurdle
Winter's success in the Champion Hurdle, the most important hurdle race of the season, was even more remarkable.
He won his first Champion Hurdle in 1955 on Clair Soleil. His second victory came in 1957 with Merry Deal, and his third and final win was in 1961 on Eborneezer – the same year he won the Gold Cup with Saffron Tartan.
Perhaps his most famous ride came in the 1962 Grand Steeplechase de Paris at Auteuil.
Just a month after the duo won the Gold Cup, they were headed to France. Winter overcame a broken bit, his own illness, and the horse breaking down in the final half-mile to secure a victory that was undoubtedly one of the greatest rides ever.
Transition to Training
After a successful career as a jockey that saw him ride 923 National Hunt winners, Winter retired from riding in 1964.
His transition to training was somewhat accidental. He had initially inquired about becoming a race starter at the Jockey Club but was turned down.
With few other options, he decided to try his hand at training and began his career at Uplands stables in Lambourn with just five horses.
Winter's training career got off to a spectacular start when he won the 1965 Grand National with Jay Trump in his very first season.
He followed this up by winning the Grand National again the next year with Anglo.
His success continued throughout his training career, and he was crowned British jump racing Champion Trainer eight times.
He achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, and Grand National as a trainer.
Retirement and Legacy
In August 1987, Winter suffered a severe stroke that left him unable to speak or write. This forced him to retire from training, with his assistant Charlie Brooks taking over the license.
Fred Winter passed away on April 5, 2004, in Swindon, Wiltshire, at the age of 77.
Winter's legacy in horse racing is immense. He holds the record for the most wins in the top three jump races – Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham Gold Cup, and Grand National – with 14 victories, seven as a jockey and seven as a trainer.
Moreover, his influence extended beyond his personal achievements. He mentored several successful trainers, including Nicky Henderson, Oliver Sherwood, and Charlie Brooks, who all served as assistant trainers at Uplands.
Fred Winter's story is one of dedication, skill, and adaptability. From his early struggles as a jockey to his record-breaking achievements both in the saddle and as a trainer, Winter exemplified the best of British National Hunt racing.
His ability to overcome challenges, his integrity, and his consistent success at the highest level ensure that Fred Winter will always be remembered as one of the greatest figures in the sport of horse racing.
