Rising star jockey still grounded by the farm

At 19 years old, Freddie Gingell is finding his rhythm in two very different worlds, as a jump jockey and a hands-on farmer.

While most people in the sector are flat out managing one demanding job, Freddie is splitting his days between the racetrack and his family farm in Mere, Wiltshire.

He has just finished the 2025 harvest, and it’s been a big one. The cereals are in: winter barley, wheat, and spring barley, and Freddie’s been right in the thick of it, from driving the combine to baling and stacking.

See also: What’s in a name? History of British field names revealed

It has meant long hours in the cab, often under pressure to make the most of the weather windows.

What makes it more challenging is that for the past six weeks, he has also been riding out at Paul Nicholls’ yard every morning.

His day starts at 6am, completing his jobs on the yard and riding several horses, before heading back to the farm around lunchtime.

From there, it is straight onto the tractor or baler, and working until late – a full-on routine, but one Freddie has taken in his stride.

In November 2024, the teenager was cheered home by more than 30,000 spectators at the racecourse during a career-best winning performance that earned him thousands of pounds in prize money.

But instead of celebrating the victory with a party, he returned home and spent the evening cutting a hedge.

© Great British Racing

All about farming

Freddie lives and works on a mixed arable and livestock farm run by his father, Dave.

The pair manage around 60ha of maize, 120ha of grass, 20ha of spring barley, and a 200-head beef herd. “There’s always plenty to keep us busy,” Freddie says.

“Farming means a lot to me – it’s been my dad’s whole career and life, really, and I try to help him out as much as I can on the side,” says Freddie.

“It’s my dad’s livelihood, so it’s something I really respect and want to be part of.”

When not involved with harvest, Freddie’s daily routine includes early starts riding out horses for trainer Joe Tizzard, his uncle, before heading off to compete at meetings across the country.

In the afternoons or evenings, he returns to the farm to help with ongoing work in the fields or cattle sheds.

“A normal day starts with waking up and having a coffee, then heading to work. Around lunchtime, I usually chill out, have something to eat, then in the evening I’m back doing the stables.

“After that, I head back to the farm and crack on with whatever needs doing,” he says.

© Great British Racing

Racing links

Freddie’s link to racing was formed early. His mother, Kim, who passed away in 2020, was the daughter of well-known trainer Colin Tizzard and was a respected figure in National Hunt racing.

“I grew up in racing, obviously coming from the Tizzard family, so I was always naturally involved in it,” says Freddie.

“Being brought up around the sport, I’ve grown to love it more and more every time I’ve been racing – that’s really what drew me to it in the first place.”

He now rides regularly for Joe Tizzard, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and continuing the family’s long-standing involvement in the sport.

His calm, measured approach and physical ability in the saddle have seen him tipped as a standout young talent on the jump racing circuit.

© Great British Racing

Space to recover

Away from the track, Freddie says the farm provides him with space to recover and refocus.

After a long day of travelling or racing in difficult conditions, he finds comfort in familiar routines and hard, physical work.

“I love going to the farm – it’s just refreshing, really,” he says.

“If you’ve had a bad day or a long day racing, it’s nice to head back to your cows. It helps me reset.

“I love farming; it gives me that space to relax. Especially after a long, wet winter of racing, it’s just nice to go somewhere dry, chill out, and clear your head a bit.”

© Great British Racing

Future plans 

Despite his racing success, Freddie said he hasn’t ruled out a future rooted in farming.

For now, his focus remains on pushing forward with his riding career, but he acknowledges that life on the land will always be part of his identity.

“I want to give racing the best go possible – really give it a proper push and see where it takes me,” he says.

“But the farm will always be there, and it’s something I can always fall back on. It’s a big part of my life, so I know I can go back to it whenever I need to.”