16 November 2010 Hutsby Retires
by Carolyn Tanner
Leading South Midlands rider Fred Hutsby has announced his retirement from the saddle. His decision was prompted by a combination of "a few bouts of concussion, a shoulder that's not brilliant and a struggle with the weight."
Fred opened his account on Golden Standard at Dunthrop in 1994, and his final victory was on Rash Move in a Taunton Hunter Chase last season. His overall tally between the flags was 74, and in addition he recorded 14 winners under Rules, eight of them on Mighty Moss, whom he understandably nominates as the best horse he rode.
The partnership's victory highlight was their 1998 New Year's Day success in the Unicoin Spa Hurdle at Cheltenham, but in retrospect their outstanding performance must surely have been when finishing a length second to Istabraq in the Royal Sunalliance Novices' Hurdle at the 1997 Festival. Three years later at the same venue, Mighty Moss was to start favourite for the Foxhunters' Cup, but to Fred's disappointment he could finish only fifth. "His knees used to play him up," Fred recalled, "and that was one of the days when he just couldn't go."
Fred will continue to train, something which he thoroughly enjoys, and he is also looking to build up a dealing business, buying young horses and selling them on once they have shown some form.
The West country had better be prepared for the annual Hutsby raid on Black Forest Lodge at the end of the month. The Warwickshire yard has sent out five winners at the fixture in the past four seasons, and one of those who is likely to be on the lorry this time is the well-regarded Lady Mandana, successful at Guilsborough in April.
Some of Fred's owners will be riding their own horses, but the other inmates will be piloted this season by Dickie Barrett, who is working at the yard full-time. Among those who will appear later in the season are the aforementioned Rash Move and Moscow Tiger, who was placed on both his Bumper runs last year.
