Arthur Fitzgerald
Amateur rider Arthur Fitzgerald owned and rode Couvrefeu II to win the 1912 Scottish Grand National at Bogside.
Amateur rider Arthur Fitzgerald owned and rode Couvrefeu II to win the 1912 Scottish Grand National at Bogside.
An Irish import, Couvrefeu II had won the previous year’s Scottish Grand National on only his third start over fences, beating seven rivals. Though owned by Arthur Fitzgerald, he was ridden on that occasion by professional jockey Herman Tratthen.
An Irish import, Couvrefeu II had won the previous year’s Scottish Grand National on only his third start over fences, beating seven rivals. Though owned by Arthur Fitzgerald, he was ridden on that occasion by professional jockey Herman Tratthen.
He followed that one and a half lengths success with a three-length victory the following year when ridden by his owner. This time only four rivals stood between Couvrefeu II and a second success.
He followed that one and a half lengths success with a three-length victory the following year when ridden by his owner. This time only four rivals stood between Couvrefeu II and a second success.
Mr Fitzgerald no longer owned the horse when he won the Scottish Grand National for the third year running in 1913. Instead, he ran in the colours of his trainer Arthur Gordon, coming home an easy five lengths clear of his closest rival Long Water in the hands of Frank Dainty, despite carrying 23lb more than in 1912.
Mr Fitzgerald no longer owned the horse when he won the Scottish Grand National for the third year running in 1913. Instead, he ran in the colours of his trainer Arthur Gordon, coming home an easy five lengths clear of his closest rival Long Water in the hands of Frank Dainty, despite carrying 23lb more than in 1912.
Couvrefeu II was subsequently bought by Sir William Nelson for 2,500 guineas prior to the 1914 Grand National. He failed to finish in that race, although he did add Aintree’s Champion Chase to his list of successes in 1915. In all, Couvrefeu II won eleven races over fences during a nine-year career.
Couvrefeu II was subsequently bought by Sir William Nelson for 2,500 guineas prior to the 1914 Grand National. He failed to finish in that race, although he did add Aintree’s Champion Chase to his list of successes in 1915. In all, Couvrefeu II won eleven races over fences during a nine-year career.
While there have been two other triple Scottish Grand National winners, namely Southern Hero (1934, 1936, 1939) and Queen’s Taste ((1953, 1954, 1956), Couvrefeu II remains the only horse to have won it in three successive years. Moreover, he only ran in the race three times and on each occasion he was ridden by a different jockey.
While there have been two other triple Scottish Grand National winners, namely Southern Hero (1934, 1936, 1939) and Queen’s Taste ((1953, 1954, 1956), Couvrefeu II remains the only horse to have won it in three successive years. Moreover, he only ran in the race three times and on each occasion he was ridden by a different jockey.
In view of the horse’s undoubted ability, it is perhaps surprising that Arthur Fitzgerald had relinquished ownership of Couvrefeu II prior to his third victory, particularly as he had given his owner-rider by far his greatest day in the saddle.
In view of the horse’s undoubted ability, it is perhaps surprising that Arthur Fitzgerald had relinquished ownership of Couvrefeu II prior to his third victory, particularly as he had given his owner-rider by far his greatest day in the saddle.
Couvre-feu is French for curfew.
Couvre-feu is French for curfew.
