Winter, Fred (1926-2004), was a leading British steeplechase jockey until his retirement in 1964, when he became a successful trainer. Winter was the first four-time winner of the National Hunt. He won 923 races from 1947 to 1964, riding in 4,298 National Hunt races. In the 1952-1953 season, he rode a then-record 121 winners. He won the Grand National twice, on Sundew in 1957 and on Kilmore in 1962. In the Grand Steeplechase of Paris of 1962, Winter’s horse, Mandarin, broke his bit. Winter rode the horse without being able to use the reins, yet went on to win.
Winter trained the 1965 and 1966 Grand National winners in his first two years as a trainer. From 1971 to 1985, he won eight National Hunt trainers’ championships. Winter retired as a trainer in 1987.
Frederick Thomas Winter was born on Sept. 20, 1926, in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. His father, Fred Winter, Sr., was a famous English jockey during the early 1900’s. The younger Fred Winter died on April 5, 2004.
