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Arthur Flanagan
Arthur Flanagan
1887-1957
1887-1957
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Arthur Flanagan rode for more than 20 years at the start of the 20th century. Although he only once managed to ride more than 18 winners in a season, he nonetheless finished with 120 victories to his credit.
Arthur Flanagan rode for more than 20 years at the start of the 20th century. Although he only once managed to ride more than 18 winners in a season, he nonetheless finished with 120 victories to his credit.
Born on February 24, 1887, Arthur was apprenticed to leading Northern trainer Dobson Peacock at Middleham. He made a disappointing start to his race-riding career when finishing a poor last of four on Li Chang in the Prestwich Apprentices’ Plate at Manchester on September 26, 1903.
Born on February 24, 1887, Arthur was apprenticed to leading Northern trainer Dobson Peacock at Middleham. He made a disappointing start to his race-riding career when finishing a poor last of four on Li Chang in the Prestwich Apprentices’ Plate at Manchester on September 26, 1903.
It would be nearly two years before he gained his first success when Speculor, trained by Peacock, won the Eglinton Plate at Carlisle on July 4, 1905. However, after that hesitant start, there was no stopping Arthur, and by the end of the season he had added another 13 to his tally, including two more on Speculor.
It would be nearly two years before he gained his first success when Speculor, trained by Peacock, won the Eglinton Plate at Carlisle on July 4, 1905. However, after that hesitant start, there was no stopping Arthur, and by the end of the season he had added another 13 to his tally, including two more on Speculor.
The year 1906 proved to be even better, with a career-best total of 30 winners, including a treble at Haydock Park on July 13. One of his biggest wins was on Flamston Pin in the Land of Burns Handicap at Ayr on September 21.
The year 1906 proved to be even better, with a career-best total of 30 winners, including a treble at Haydock Park on July 13. One of his biggest wins was on Flamston Pin in the Land of Burns Handicap at Ayr on September 21.
Over the course of the next four years, he rode nearly 50 winners, including the Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon on August 1, 1910 on Pietermaritzburg. But then the numbers dropped dramatically, with only one in 1911, 1912 and 1913.
Over the course of the next four years, he rode nearly 50 winners, including the Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon on August 1, 1910 on Pietermaritzburg. But then the numbers dropped dramatically, with only one in 1911, 1912 and 1913.
The onset of World War One meant that Arthur did not ride in Britain again until 1917, but it was not until 1919 that his career was revived with a tally of 18 wins. They included his sole Royal Ascot success aboard Ciceronetta in the Trial Stakes on June 17. The following month he won the Old Newton Cup at Haydock Park aboard Loaf Sugar on July 12.
The onset of World War One meant that Arthur did not ride in Britain again until 1917, but it was not until 1919 that his career was revived with a tally of 18 wins. They included his sole Royal Ascot success aboard Ciceronetta in the Trial Stakes on June 17. The following month he won the Old Newton Cup at Haydock Park aboard Loaf Sugar on July 12.
Alas, this heady rate of success could not be sustained. Arthur rode what turned out to be his last winner when Sea Devi landed the Carlisle Plate at that course on July 3, 1923.
Alas, this heady rate of success could not be sustained. Arthur rode what turned out to be his last winner when Sea Devi landed the Carlisle Plate at that course on July 3, 1923.
He continued to take the occasional mount, his last one being on Chuckles, who finished unplaced in the Thursby Selling Plate at Liverpool on March 23, 1929.
He continued to take the occasional mount, his last one being on Chuckles, who finished unplaced in the Thursby Selling Plate at Liverpool on March 23, 1929.
Arthur Flanagan died in 1957.
Arthur Flanagan died in 1957.
On August 11, 1919, Arthur won two races on the same horse, Fairy Thorn, at Nottingham.
On August 11, 1919, Arthur won two races on the same horse, Fairy Thorn, at Nottingham.
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