GRASSROOTS: FRED PHILIPSON-STOW

Riding on the crest of a wave is 20-year-old Fred Philipson-Stow from Herefordshire. Philipson-Stow is enjoying his best season to date, having already ridden four winners from 11 rides, riding out his novice claim and putting himself fifth in the Men’s Championship table.

Growing up on the farm with Dad, Edward, a childhood filled with ponies, pony club, and hunting was instrumental in cementing a love of horses and all the activities that came with it. Matt and Nikki Sheppard were very local, and heading to them aged 13 to learn the ropes ignited a dream to race-ride. An ongoing relationship with them has seen the family’s A Jet Of Our Own, trained by Nikki, become a stable star whilst providing Philipston-Stow with a Cheltenham winner and a dream ride around the Aintree Foxhunters.

Three of this season’s winners have been provided by Rachel Bartlett and her daughter, Lilian. The first winner for the Bartlett family came aboard the Lilian-trained Finisher in a conditions race at Badbury Rings earlier in the season, and Philipson-Stow explains: “I worked with Lilian at Will Biddick’s, and she rang before Badbury to see if I was available. I was delighted, and for him to win was brilliant. Through that situation, Rachel then asked me if I would ride her two, and they have each been great with lots more to look forward to”

Rachel’s two are Dorset Dazzler, upon whom Philipson-Stow won the Larkhill restricted Sunday, following up winning a maiden at the same course two weeks previously and Dorset Diamond, who stepped up into open grade and out-ran his odds to finish second to the very useful Grace A Vous Enki. Dorset Diamond is also a restricted horse, so connections will undoubtedly be rewarded dropping back in grade. Philipson-Stow adds: “I feel very lucky to ride for the Bartletts; they do a really good job.”

It is hard to ignore Philipson-Stow’s success rate at Larkhill- this season alone has seen six rides result in three winners, two seconds and a fifth. This discovery led me to speak with Philipson-Stow, who, while working with Will Biddick, learned how to ride Larkhill. When I was riding, I remember sitting with Biddick throughout in a big-fielded race on an outsider – we finished second to him, and from that moment I was convinced he was the king of the place! Philipson-Stow agrees: “Being somewhere near Will round there can’t be a bad place to be.” If Biddick is the King of Larkhill, could Philipson-Stow be the prince?

Philipson-Stow was based with Biddick for two Seasons and made the decision to relocate back home last summer, he tells me: “My time with Will was incredible, the ‘Will’ academy was amazing. I went there clueless; I couldn’t ride one side of anything, but he totally transformed me. He is the best in the business.”

He adds: “I moved back home with a view to making more contacts and be more centrally located. I freelance now, I am at Chris Barber’s three mornings per week, and I go back down to Will’s the other two. I have plenty of time available this way to ride out for other people and make new connections.”

On the day we spoke, it was nearly 4.30, and Philipson-Stow had just left Shropshire-based Tom Brittens yard where he had been riding out. Britten, known for his excellent handling of his Grandparents What A Glance, who won at the Cheltenham and Stratford hunter-chase evenings in 2024, is a trainer to watch. Philipson-Stow says: “I rode out for Tom back in August, and we have since become good friends. Riding a few for him is great, and hopefully we can have some winners.”

A first ride came in 2021 aboard Mr Caffrey, who had been bought out of Dr Newland’s yard as a schoolmaster. He did his job; unfortunately, he had a couple of falls along the way and a second-place finish on one occasion, but if nothing else, he offered a realistic introduction to race-riding. Next came Master Sunrise, trained by Hannah Lewis and owned by local friend Mervin Jones. Three placings and some extra experience gained led Dad, Edward, to buy four-year-old Jet Of Our Own, who’d had one run in Ireland and since then has not been partnered by anyone except Philipson-Stow. An incredible journey over the past few seasons has followed, one that connections can only dream about and having won such a hot Larkhill Men’s Open first time out this season, the excitement now builds to what could lie ahead. I ask Philipson-Stow to tell me about him: “He has been an amazing horse, he won his maiden at Maisemore in 2023 and has gone through the grades.” The highlight must be winning at Cheltenham in May 2024, and he adds: “That was unbelievable, it was my first ride around there and he jumped and travelled well.” Last season, a plan to go to Aintree was put into action. “Dad’s dream has always been to have a runner at Aintree. Nikki and Matt had always said don’t get ahead of yourself, but being the legend the horse is, we qualified! Going there, I had no expectations, I just wanted to jump round but he came alive over the fences and handle it really well. He finished a good fifth at a huge price, it was such a brilliant day with loads of friends there to support and the plan is to go back there in April.”

There is one last question: future ambitions? “At over 6 feet tall, I have no plan nor chance to go professional, I could do 10st 7 with two weeks’ notice! I want to be the best I can be and keep improving. Winning both foxhunters would be a dream come true” He concludes by adding: “I would love to be men’s champion one day.”

I summarise that whilst Philipston-stow is surrounded by the people he is with, there is no reason those dreams won’t come true. With some luck and the right horses, anything is possible.