19-year-old Fred Philipson-Stow rode his first double at Larkhill last weekend. Best known
for his exploits with A Jet Of Our Own, both winners were trained by his employer – all-time
leading jockey Will Biddick – and, surprisingly, were his first other than the six successes he
has achieved with ‘Jet’. Jake Exelby talked to Fred about his ups (and downs) at Larkhill and
found out more about his background and what he hopes to achieve in the sport.
Where are you from and where are you based now?
I’m from Herefordshire and am now in my second season working for Will Biddick in
Somerset. I’ve been riding breakers for him as well as pointers, which has really helped my
riding, not just in races, but at home. I’m also gaining lots of experience by schooling for him
twice a week and had two rides for him last weekend.
Talk me through your career in racing so far and how you got into point-to-pointing in
the first place?
It was always the plan (to be a jockey). When I told Dad, aged 13 or 14, that was what I
wanted to do, he told me to talk to Matt and Nickie Sheppard – he worked for them about 30
years ago, having worked for Nickie’s Mum before that. I got into it through them – I used to
go and ride out there on a Saturday, then started going to Venetia Williams.
My first pointer was Mr Caffrey, who Ed Bailey bought for Dad. We couldn’t send him
pointing the season I turned 16, as he’d won under rules in November, so I went to Pyle in
October 2021 for my first ride. We were in the lead at the last when he fell, and I think we’d
have won, but I really enjoyed it and knew I wanted to carry on, and we were then second at
Knightwick.
Tell me about A Jet Of Our Own
After Mr Caffrey, we decided to go for a maiden as my riding had improved, and Dad didn’t
want to be buying a schoolmaster every year! He wanted a nice maiden to have for a few
seasons. He came from Benny Walsh, having run once in Ireland.
I’ve had six wins on him, including a Cheltenham Hunter Chase, and he’s been absolutely
amazing, not just for me, but for Dad, who owns him. He gave me my first winner at
Maisemore Park and is easy to ride and jumps well. He’s given me loads of confidence in my
riding and made me realise I can win.
Cheltenham was the best day of my life so far. He made some mistakes early on, then got
into a nice rhythm and was still running on at the last. Crossing the line, I wasn’t sure if we’d
won, but we got up by a head and I was absolutely over the moon.
The race he ran in on Sunday (the pair were fifth) was a hot Open, he jumped as well as
usual, and I think he ran to his mark. The plan is to go for the Aintree Foxhunters, but I think
he’s got to win an Open or be placed in a Hunter Chase to qualify. Soft ground and a shorter
trip are his forte and there’s a Hunter Chase at Taunton in early January that Will thinks will
suit.
How did Larkhill go for you?
It wasn’t all plain sailing. (Fred had a fall as well as his two wins and Will – after achieving a landmark 600 th career success – was then out of action for the rest of the day).
It started well. I was always going to ride Good Boy Eric in the young horse Maiden and he
jumped well and travelled nicely – it would have been a good race if Will hadn’t fallen (he
was in the lead when his mount unseated two out).
Coming back afterwards, I realised Will hadn’t got up and he still had four more runners so
Charlie Sprake – who also works for him – and I shared them. I wasn’t nervous, but excited
to ride horses with a good chance. I rode five horses in total that day – the most I’ve had.
It’s A Diamond was also travelling nicely and jumping well until he got tired before falling
three out and will come on for the race. Both the horse and I were fine. With Southfield
Scope, everything went to plan without a hitch. He has his own way of jumping, but always
gets from A to B. I didn’t want to hit the front too soon and he was looking to run out at the
last because there was a loose horse, so we got too short, and he popped me into the air!
I think Will’s OK now. He’s been riding out this week and doesn’t seem too bad.
Which other jockeys do you admire? (You’re not allowed to say Will, as he’s your
boss!)
Tommie O’Brien. I got to know him when he worked for Clive Boultbee-Brooks – I used to go
and ride out there when I was at school. He’s always helped me out and mentored me and
still gives me feedback on my riding now. And Martin ‘Fly’ McIntyre is a real character in the weighing room. He’s always happy and joking, and smiles whether he’s had a winner or a fall.
What's your favourite course?
Chaddesley Corbett. I’ve won round there a couple of times and it’s a nice fair track.
What do you enjoy most about pointing?
The atmosphere. It’s so friendly compared to racing under rules, and not as formal – it’s a
really fun day out.
What are your ambitions in pointing and racing?
I’d love to turn professional eventually but I’m quite tall – already six foot – and it’s not the
be-all and end-all. I’d be happy to stay amateur and keep race-riding. I’d like to get more
experience before going conditional as I’ve always been told not to rush it. While it can work
out well, it can also be a bad idea, and I think you’re in a better position if you’re already
established as a name in pointing.
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
I’d make sure the food’s better in the weighing room. Mind you, it’s good at Chaddesley
Corbett and I try to clear it out after the last race!
Seriously, it would be to raise the number of winners you need before you lose your novice
rider status. Getting to five winners can happen quite quickly in some cases, which limits the
amount of experience you can get before you can no longer ride in novice races.
What are your non-horsey hobbies?
I like to play a bit of golf – just for fun, I don’t have a handicap. And I was brought up going
hunting and shooting, so I still do that when I have the chance.
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