Arthur Stanley Furnice rode just one winner over jumps more than a decade after starting his career.
Born in 1896, he had his first ride when partnering Miss Beecham, who finished third in the Sefton Handicap Hurdle at Southwell on September 19, 1920. He also had at least one ride on the Flat when Golden Goddess finished down the field in the Doddington Welter Handicap at Bath on August 19, 1921, a race won by Michael Beary on Love Letter.
Earlier that year, on February 26, Arthur had finished first in a race at Manchester, when Fair France landed the Ellesmere Steeplechase by four lengths. However, Major Tom Cavanagh, who had ridden the runner-up Down Under, objected to the winner on the grounds of “bumping and crossing.” The objection was sustained, meaning Arthur had lost his first winner.
He persevered and had a few rides each season. He even took part in the valuable Lancashire Chase at Manchester in April 1931, but his mount, South Hill, pulled up.
Finally, at Sandown Park on January 28, 1931, Arthur rode a winner, and this time kept the race, when Irish Temple, trained by Herbert Blagrave won the Experimental Handicap Chase. Arthur had already finished second twice on the nine-year-old, so deserved the victory, which was achieved by four lengths. He had three disappointing efforts on Irish Temple after that, including in that year’s Lancashire Chase, where he fell.
Arthur Furnice retained a licence until the 1934/35 season but never again visited the winner’s enclosure. He died in 1961.