Tag Archive for: Freddie Gingell

‘It’s what every jockey dreams of’ – Il Ridoto and Freddie Gingell claim Paddy Power Gold Cup glory

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Il Ridoto made it third time lucky to finally land the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, with rising star Freddie Gingell shining in the saddle.

The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding was fourth in the famous handicap in 2022 and third in 2023, but has seen his rating slide since and was looking to put a disappointing end to last season behind him.

Gingell, who claims 3lb, took his opportunity with both hands on the 10-1 chance – who was continuing a sensational spell for co-owners Ged Mason and Sir Alex Ferguson – and cruised to a four-and-half-length victory ahead of 2022 winner Ga Law.

Paul Nicholls, Freddie Gingell and connections after winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup
Paul Nicholls, Freddie Gingell and connections after winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

“It’s days like this we really dream of,” Gingell said.

“Down the hill I saw Harry (Cobden) give Ginny’s (Destiny, stablemate) a little squeeze and I thought ‘I’m still happy here’.

“He’s done it really well in the end, a big thanks to everyone at home and all the owners. It’s amazing.

“I was told to be nice and handy, he was jumping for fun and he just winged the third (fence) down the hill.

“I thought I’d got there too soon, but Paul told me that when I turn in, to kick on no matter what so I did and he’s done it easy.”

On where the victory ranks in his burgeoning career so far, Gingell said: “It’s right up there, I can’t probably top the Grade One (on Elixir De Nutz (Clarence House at Ascot in January) yet, but it’s definitely up there.”

Nicholls, who was left feeling beaten favourite Ginny’s Destiny now needs three miles, was thrilled for Gingell, who only turns 19 next month.

“It was a fantastic ride. We changed tack this year, we came here without a run last year and he blatantly blew up. So he had a run at Chepstow – he had a nice weight, was confidently ridden and showed the benefit of that run,” he said.

“Everyone has talked about a slow start for this season, but October is a long way off the end of the season, November you want them right and this shows we are getting there.

“It was a great ride by Freddie and the horse deserved to win a big one.

“I couldn’t get a run into Ginny’s and watching him I’d say he just needed it, also he probably wants three miles as well now. All won’t be lost on him later in the season.

“Il Ridoto will be back for the December Gold Cup, he won it last year and loves it here. He’s not a Grade One horse, he’s a handicapper, but he’s won his big race now.

“Freddie is coming along nicely, he’s going to ride an awful lot of ours, he rides a lot for his uncle Joe (Tizzard) – he’s very much like Harry Cobden was at the same stage of his career.”

Freddie Gingell with the Paddy Power Gold Cup
Freddie Gingell with the Paddy Power Gold Cup (Nigel French/PA)

He went on: “I did tell Ged I thought today was the best he’s ever looked. Last year he ran out of petrol so it was crucial to get a run in.

“Ged, Alex and John (Hales) are a great bunch and they’ve had some incredible success this weekend, but I saw Willie (Mullins) bought them a horse last night so I’ve just told Ged I’ll be spending his winnings tomorrow!”

Gingell added: “Winning here, in front of a big crowd, in the feature race of the weekend, it’s what every jockey dreams of.

“I started dreaming of this when I began pony racing aged eight or nine, I knew then it was what I wanted to do and that I wanted to be in the big time, so far it is going well.

“I came here today thinking he had a lovely chance and off a low weight he should go close, but I didn’t think he’d win it like that.

“My instructions were he would definitely stay so as soon as we turned in to kick on and he was very good over the last two.”



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Elixir De Nutz connections to keep faith with Gingell

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Freddie Gingell is set to keep the ride aboard shock Clarence House Chase winner Elixir De Nutz when he takes a shot at the Queen Mother Champion Chase on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

The 18-year-old has struck up a fine relationship with Joe Tizzard’s resurgent 10-year-old this season.

After collecting the Grade Two Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter and a valuable Newbury handicap before Christmas, the duo reunited to deliver a small blow to Jonbon’s Champion Chase hopes when downing Nicky Henderson’s leading two-mile chaser in the rearranged Grade One event at Prestbury Park.

A first triumph at the highest level was a notable feather in the cap of Gingell and with owner Terry Warner keen to stay loyal to one of the weighing room’s youngest stars, he is set for his first taste of a championship event at the Festival.

Freddie Gingell celebrates winning the Clarence House Chase
Freddie Gingell celebrates winning the Clarence House Chase (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

“Fred will keep the ride and Terry Warner is keen to stick with him,” said Tizzard, who is also the rider’s uncle.

“He’s got on with him really well this season and he will definitely keep the ride.

“He keeps getting a good tune out of the old horse and it will do Fred well for the future to just keep getting rides in these big races, so he gets a feel for what goes on in them.

“It’s a lovely opportunity for both of them.”

Elixir De Nutz is enjoying somewhat of an Indian summer in the veteran stage of his career and having landed his second Grade One prize five years after his first, Tizzard believes he is at the peak of his powers ahead of his Champion Chase bid.

“He’s had a cracking season; the Haldon Gold Cup was good and he’s just got better ever since,” continued Tizzard.

“He likes a small field and there is not going to be a massive field (at Cheltenham). We’ve tried him in those big handicaps and that doesn’t work, so he deserves to take his chance after last time.

“We’re not going there thinking we have a real good chance of winning, but he’s in the form of his life and he’ll have a great each-way chance.”

JPR One in winning action at Lingfield
JPR One in winning action at Lingfield (Adam Davy/PA)

Tizzard will also be flying the flag for the home team in the My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase, where JPR One lines up off the back of a clinical display at Lingfield last month.

He is the shortest British-trained entrant with a best price of 11-1 and his handler would like to see the recent wet weather disappear, so the seven-year-old can experience optimum conditions at Prestbury Park.

“He is in good form in his work and obviously his last run was a lovely performance,” added Tizzard.

“We go there in the form of our lives and with a nice chance, but I still respect the Irish and if Marine Nationale got back on good ground, then he was an impressive winner of the Supreme last year.

“I wouldn’t mind it drying out so I can get my horse there in the best shape I can and then we will see what happens on the day.”



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‘Emotional’ first Grade One for teenager Freddie Gingell

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Teenager Freddie Gingell paid tribute to his late mother Kim after he registered his first Grade One win aboard Elixir De Nutz in the My Pension Expert Clarence House Chase.

Riding the grey for his uncle Joe Tizzard, Kim’s brother, Gingell recorded a breakthrough victory at the highest level in dramatic circumstances.

The race looked at the mercy of 1-4 favourite Jonbon, but he jumped sloppily throughout and a jolting mistake at the fourth last looked to end his race.

To his credit he got back in front on the run to the last, but another slow leap handed the initiative back to Elixir De Nutz and Gingell conjured up a late rally which saw him prevail, with the rider looking to the sky on crossing the line.

Kim Gingell died of cancer, aged just 43, in May 2020 and the winning jockey underlined her influence.

Elixir De Nutz (far side) battles back to beat Jonbon
Elixir De Nutz (far side) battles back to beat Jonbon (Nigel French/PA)

Gingell said: “It is an amazing day. We came here thinking we might run a big race, finishing second or third.

“That was definitely the most emotional success I’ve had today. Mum was definitely up there looking down on me. She has been a massive part of me in helping me to become a jockey.

“Crossing the line today, I looked up to her and she looked back, and I could tell she was up there doing something.

“As soon as I crossed the line everything stopped and then I could tell I had achieved a big thing. Before that I just needed to get past that line in front.

“I will probably go home and watch it loads, probably 10 times tonight, it’s amazing.

“My mum was a massive part of me, and for Joe and Colin (Tizzard) she did so much. When she went, everything just fell over for everyone really, we never really realised how much she did. But days like this, it really pays off and it’s a massive thank you to her.”

It was also a first Grade success for Joe Tizzard since taking over at the helm from his father, Colin.

Reflecting on the race, Gingell added: “As soon as Jonbon came to the last I thought I was beat, but he didn’t quite get it right and I’ve got an amazing jump and he landed running.

“He battles well and once he got his head in front, I knew he would keep on battling up the hill and he did. I was screaming and shouting all the way but it’s my first Grade One so I should be I guess!

“I’m three from three on him this season and he has been an amazing horse for this season, but he has been an amazing horse in general. Thanks go to Terry Warner (owner) as he has been amazing to me.

“They had the choice of either me or Brendan (Powell) and Terry was very good to let me ride him and I have now won two nice races on him.”



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Gingell gunning for more big-race glory on Il Ridoto

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The in-form Freddie Gingell will look for even more big-race success when he partners Paul Nicholls’ Il Ridoto in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Gingell, 17, enjoyed the biggest win of his career so far when landing the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter last week aboard his uncle Joe Tizzard’s Elixir De Nutz.

A Grade Two success for his own family will take some beating, but Il Ridoto could do just that, as he brings course and distance form to the table and was fourth of 14 in the contest last year when ridden by Harry Cobden.

Cobden, who is engaged to ride Stage Star this time, is the stable jockey for the Nicholls team, with Gingell also attached to the same yard as a 7lb claimer.

“Paul said to me after the Haldon Gold Cup that I’ve got a nice one for you on Saturday,” he said.

“It gave me a right buzz being told that I was going to ride Il Ridoto just after winning the Haldon Gold Cup. The day just got better and better.

“He is a good, honest horse and he will give me a real good spin around Cheltenham. He was pulled up over the Grand National fences on his last start, but this will be much more to his liking.

“Paul has got Stage Star in the race as well, so he has a couple of big chances in it.

“Il Ridoto was fourth in the race last year when Harry rode him but with that weight I can claim off his back, hopefully he will go even closer this year.

“I sat on him once last week and hopefully I will get to school him once or twice this week just to get to know him a bit more and go from there.

“He is quite low in the handicap and with my claim off his back, I think he has a massive chance.

“The Haldon Gold Cup was big but the Paddy Power Gold Cup is even bigger again. Thanks go to the owners and Paul for letting me have the ride and hopefully I can reward them.”



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Elixir De Nutz takes home Haldon Gold for Tizzard team

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Elixir De Nutz ran out a gutsy winner of the Betway Haldon Gold Cup for Joe Tizzard at Exeter.

Fit from a recent run at Chepstow, he was one of two runners in the race for Tizzard with stable jockey Brendan Powell riding War Lord.

That meant Freddie Gingell, Tizzard’s nephew, came in for the ride and he was positive from the outset on the grey.

A 13-2 chance for the Grade Two, Elixir De Nutz was kept handy and surged ahead as others were faltering around the final turn for home.

A game and accurate string of jumps saw him extend his lead on the run in to the line and though Paul Nicholls’ Solo gave chase, it was the young jockey who prevailed by three and a quarter lengths.

“That is unreal. A big thank you to Terry Warner (the horse’s owner) and his family and to Joe and Colin (Tizzard) as well,” Gingell said.

“I went in and schooled him on Wednesday and Joe said ‘where would you rather go, Fontwell or Exeter’. I said I would love to go to Exeter to ride him as it is a big race and Joe has won it a few times. Riding in it was a big thing, but I never thought this would happen.

“The plan was to get a good start and go from there as there were five other very good horses in it. He was a bit slow going to the first, but he then jumped the first and took off with me. He was jumping outside the wings every time I gave him a squeeze and asked him.

“Harry (Cobden on Solo) came upsides me turning in and I thought ‘I will see what happens’, but I managed to get a breather into him as I thought Harry was coming with a very big challenge now. I thought ‘I will keep plugging onto the line’, but I thought we might have got racing a bit too early.

“For a moment or two I couldn’t believe it happened. I looked around and thought did I just win it sort of thing then Brendan (Powell) came and patted me on the back and it then really started to hit me.

“It is a big day and the last three years haven’t been easy. I can’t thank them enough for supporting me as it has been a really tough time. I passed my driving test last Tuesday and I have ridden a few winners, so it is all going well.”

The victory also left triumphant trainer Tizzard, who won the race three times as a jockey aboard Lake Kariba (1998), Flagship Uberalles (1999) and Cue Card (2012), fighting back the tears in an emotional response to the win as Gingell is the son of his late sister Kim.

Tizzard said: “We said it after we left Ayr last year about going for the Haldon Gold Cup. I said he always needs his first run and that worked a treat. The race suited him today. We were a bit worried about the ground, but the trip and the track were perfect for him. It is emotional.

“That is as good a ride that I’ve seen Fred give a horse to be honest. I wanted to get him revved up to be positive on him. He is only 17 years old, but he asked him at every fence. It is lovely for Terry and his wife who have made it down as they don’t get to the races all the time.

“That’s why me and dad are a little bit emotional (because we are thinking of Kim), but he (Freddie) didn’t need a lot of help.

“Fred is part of the family so it is lovely. I’m proud of Fred. He is a 17-year-old boy and he is a 7lb claimer. He has got a great job with Paul (Nicholls), but we are trying to give him a chance in these bigger races.

“He is razor sharp and he is a good jockey. He gave him an absolute belter I thought. I’m chuffed to bits with him. He is riding with lots of confidence and that is what you need. He gave that a proper ride and I don’t think he could have ridden it any better. “



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