Before turning his hand to training Fred was also a top class jockey, landing the jockey's title four times between 1939 and 1946. His riding career was cut short by two broken necks in 1947. Despite this it is his outstanding training record that he will mainly be remembered for. As a trainer he won the Grand National four times with E.S.B. (1956), Nicolaus Silver (1961), Gay Trip (1970) and Rag Trade (1976). For good measure he also won the Champion Hurdle twice, the Triumph Hurdle three times and the Welsh National four times. He also won the Mackeson Gold Cup four years in succession between 1968 and 1971. Fred was also champion trainer five times between 1951 and 1976.