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Archie Pringle
Archie Pringle
A stalwart of the Scottish racing scene for more than a decade, Archibald Pringle rode 22 winners under National Hunt rules between 1902 and 1913, exactly half of them at the annual Dumfriesshire Hunt fixture. Indeed, ten of his first twelve wins were gained at that venue, including two doubles and a treble.
A stalwart of the Scottish racing scene for more than a decade, Archibald Pringle rode 22 winners under National Hunt rules between 1902 and 1913, exactly half of them at the annual Dumfriesshire Hunt fixture. Indeed, ten of his first twelve wins were gained at that venue, including two doubles and a treble.
Born in 1882, the son of trainer James Pringle, he had his first win at the Dumfriesshire Hunt meeting on Saturday, April 12, 1902 aboard Dunnabie in the Tenant Farmers’ Chase, beating the only other finisher out of four starters by 40 lengths.
Born in 1882, the son of trainer James Pringle, he had his first win at the Dumfriesshire Hunt meeting on Saturday, April 12, 1902 aboard Dunnabie in the Tenant Farmers’ Chase, beating the only other finisher out of four starters by 40 lengths.
Progress was slow, Dumfriesshire Hunt being the scene of his only wins in 1904 and 1905, while he drew a complete blank in both 1906 and 1907. However, the results began to improve thereafter, a highlight being when recording a treble at Dumfriesshire Hunt in 1909, with his brother Robert also weighing in with a winner on that year’s card.
Progress was slow, Dumfriesshire Hunt being the scene of his only wins in 1904 and 1905, while he drew a complete blank in both 1906 and 1907. However, the results began to improve thereafter, a highlight being when recording a treble at Dumfriesshire Hunt in 1909, with his brother Robert also weighing in with a winner on that year’s card.
The Dumfriesshire Hunt steeplechase meeting began in 1857, held over land on Joe Graham’s farm at Dalton, although the venue moved several times. In 1860 the races took place near Lockerbie. By the late 1870s they were held in the village of Collin, near Dumfries, though by the mid-1890s they were at Riggfoot, Carnsalloch.
The Dumfriesshire Hunt steeplechase meeting began in 1857, held over land on Joe Graham’s farm at Dalton, although the venue moved several times. In 1860 the races took place near Lockerbie. By the late 1870s they were held in the village of Collin, near Dumfries, though by the mid-1890s they were at Riggfoot, Carnsalloch.
There was no Dumfriesshire Hunt meeting in 1900 due to the war in South Africa, but it returned in 1901 with its traditional Saturday April fixture, though at a new venue, Justinlees, near Annan. A local newspaper wrote in advance of the meeting: “A splendid course has been laid out. Artificial jumps have been prepared including a water jump and a ditch jump. Mr Boyd, Carrutherstown, has the contract for the course. Mr Longmuir of the Commercial Hotel, Annan, is to provide the luncheon and refreshments, and Miss Johnson, Anna, tea and cakes.”
There was no Dumfriesshire Hunt meeting in 1900 due to the war in South Africa, but it returned in 1901 with its traditional Saturday April fixture, though at a new venue, Justinlees, near Annan. A local newspaper wrote in advance of the meeting: “A splendid course has been laid out. Artificial jumps have been prepared including a water jump and a ditch jump. Mr Boyd, Carrutherstown, has the contract for the course. Mr Longmuir of the Commercial Hotel, Annan, is to provide the luncheon and refreshments, and Miss Johnson, Anna, tea and cakes.”
Justinlees became the final venue for the Dumfriesshire Hunt’s annual races, where Archie Pringle would enjoy conspicuous success during the first decade of the century.
Justinlees became the final venue for the Dumfriesshire Hunt’s annual races, where Archie Pringle would enjoy conspicuous success during the first decade of the century.
A combination of small fields and poor opposition made it easy for horses to win there in successive years. Belford Lad won three Hunt Cups from 1910 to 1912. Archie was on board for the first two of those, but John Farrel took over in the saddle for the third win.
A combination of small fields and poor opposition made it easy for horses to win there in successive years. Belford Lad won three Hunt Cups from 1910 to 1912. Archie was on board for the first two of those, but John Farrel took over in the saddle for the third win.
Belford Lad was the last of Archie’s eleven wins at Dumfriesshire Hunt when winning the second of his three Hunt Cups on April 8, 1911. The local correspondent reported of that year’s meeting: “Encouraged by dry, bright weather, the annual races, which bring to a close the hunting season of this popular pack, attracted a large attendance of the general public to the Justinlees course, a short distance out of Annan, on Saturday. The muster of the local gentry was also large and representative.”
Belford Lad was the last of Archie’s eleven wins at Dumfriesshire Hunt when winning the second of his three Hunt Cups on April 8, 1911. The local correspondent reported of that year’s meeting: “Encouraged by dry, bright weather, the annual races, which bring to a close the hunting season of this popular pack, attracted a large attendance of the general public to the Justinlees course, a short distance out of Annan, on Saturday. The muster of the local gentry was also large and representative.”
Although that year’s meeting “proved highly interesting, and in every instance locally owned horses proved successful,” there was still a distinct shortage of runners. Hurdle races were introduced to the programme in 1912 and this made things slightly more competitive.
Although that year’s meeting “proved highly interesting, and in every instance locally owned horses proved successful,” there was still a distinct shortage of runners. Hurdle races were introduced to the programme in 1912 and this made things slightly more competitive.
Archie registered another treble, this time at Cartmel’s annual fixture on Whit Monday, June 5, 1911, although those three wins were his last for almost two years. His final victory was on Hobbinol in the Broughton Selling Chase at Cartmel on Whit Monday, May 12, 1913. That was also his last ride, hence he retired on a winning note.
Archie registered another treble, this time at Cartmel’s annual fixture on Whit Monday, June 5, 1911, although those three wins were his last for almost two years. His final victory was on Hobbinol in the Broughton Selling Chase at Cartmel on Whit Monday, May 12, 1913. That was also his last ride, hence he retired on a winning note.
Dumfriesshire Hunt’s final meeting under National Hunt rules took place on Saturday, April 11, 1914. The standard of racing was poor with no race being worth more than £38 to the winner. Unsurprisingly, like many similar annual fixtures, it failed to reappear after World War I. A one-off Dumfriesshire Hunt Bona Fide meeting – essentially a point-to-point, differing only in that the organising hunt was allowed to charge for admission – took place in April 1924, but thereafter it held point-to-point status.
Dumfriesshire Hunt’s final meeting under National Hunt rules took place on Saturday, April 11, 1914. The standard of racing was poor with no race being worth more than £38 to the winner. Unsurprisingly, like many similar annual fixtures, it failed to reappear after World War I. A one-off Dumfriesshire Hunt Bona Fide meeting – essentially a point-to-point, differing only in that the organising hunt was allowed to charge for admission – took place in April 1924, but thereafter it held point-to-point status.
Archie Pringle’s winners were, in chronological order.
Archie Pringle’s winners were, in chronological order.
1. Dunnabie, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 12, 1902
1. Dunnabie, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 12, 1902
2. Ecclefechan II, Carlisle, April 24, 1903
2. Ecclefechan II, Carlisle, April 24, 1903
3. Princess II, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 9, 1904 (walkover)
3. Princess II, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 9, 1904 (walkover)
4. Peccadillo, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 8, 1905
4. Peccadillo, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 8, 1905
5. Mayfield Boy, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 11, 1908
5. Mayfield Boy, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 11, 1908
6. Milo, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 11, 1908
6. Milo, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 11, 1908
7. Tariff Reform, Rothbury, April 29, 1908
7. Tariff Reform, Rothbury, April 29, 1908
8. Rigmaiden, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 3, 1909
8. Rigmaiden, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 3, 1909
9. Tilton Castle, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 3, 1909
9. Tilton Castle, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 3, 1909
10. Thornham, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 3, 1909
10. Thornham, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 3, 1909
11. Belford Lad, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 9, 1910
11. Belford Lad, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 9, 1910
12. Rashiegrain, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 9, 1910
12. Rashiegrain, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 9, 1910
13. Genuine, Woore, April 6, 1911
13. Genuine, Woore, April 6, 1911
14. Belford Lad, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 8, 1911
14. Belford Lad, Dumfriesshire Hunt, April 8, 1911
15. Belford Lad, Shincliffe, May 10, 1911
15. Belford Lad, Shincliffe, May 10, 1911
16. Tusculum, Uttoxeter, May 23, 1911
16. Tusculum, Uttoxeter, May 23, 1911
17. Water Lily II, Cartmel, June 5, 1911
17. Water Lily II, Cartmel, June 5, 1911
18. Tusculum, Cartmel, June 5, 1911
18. Tusculum, Cartmel, June 5, 1911
19. Belford Lad, Cartmel, June 5, 1911
19. Belford Lad, Cartmel, June 5, 1911
20. Water Lily II, Banbury Hunt, April 2, 1913
20. Water Lily II, Banbury Hunt, April 2, 1913
21. Borough, Cardiff, May 10, 1913
21. Borough, Cardiff, May 10, 1913
22. Hobbinol, Cartmel, May 12, 1913
22. Hobbinol, Cartmel, May 12, 1913
Archie Pringle's Dumfriesshire treble
Archie's Cartmel treble
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