| An exceptionally game and tough chaser, Frigate was 15.3 hands of "wire and whipcord." She ran second three times in the Grand National before winning it in 1889 (in all she ran in the National seven times, her last being in 1890, when she fell). She was trained by H.E. Linde at Eyrefield Lodge at the Curragh, and ridden by one of the Beasley brothers in most of her races--Tommy Beasley had the mount for her National win. She won a number of other races; her other big wins were the Conyngham Cup at age five, and the Grand Sefton Steeplechase. Her sire, Gunboat, was by Sir Hercules, seen many times in the pedigrees of Irish 'chasers, and his dam was a Sheet Anchor (a son of Lottery, another good jumping line) daughter. Frigate's dam, Fair Maid of Kent, was by the great French-bred winner of the English Triple Crown, Gladiateur and out of Lady Chesterfield by the "Emperor of Stallions," Stockwell. |
