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Colin Furlong
Colin Furlong
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Colin Joseph Furlong did not have that many rides under National Hunt rules and once went four and a half years without a winner, but he persevered and eventually finished his career with six victories.
Colin Joseph Furlong did not have that many rides under National Hunt rules and once went four and a half years without a winner, but he persevered and eventually finished his career with six victories.
He began as a conditional with former leading Flat jockey Tommy Gosling at Epsom and had his first ride at Kempton Park on November 22, 1979, when his mount Mascarenhas finished eighth of 11 runners in the Hounslow Handicap Hurdle.
He began as a conditional with former leading Flat jockey Tommy Gosling at Epsom and had his first ride at Kempton Park on November 22, 1979, when his mount Mascarenhas finished eighth of 11 runners in the Hounslow Handicap Hurdle.
Colin kept the ride and, after twice more finishing down the field, they finished second at Lingfield Park on February 16, 1981. Four days later at Windsor they went one better when taking the lead at the last flight and running on to land the Langley Handicap Hurdle by four lengths. Eight days later they had an even bigger margin of victory when beating six rivals to take the Medway Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield Park by ten lengths.
Colin kept the ride and, after twice more finishing down the field, they finished second at Lingfield Park on February 16, 1981. Four days later at Windsor they went one better when taking the lead at the last flight and running on to land the Langley Handicap Hurdle by four lengths. Eight days later they had an even bigger margin of victory when beating six rivals to take the Medway Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield Park by ten lengths.
It was not until December 11, 1984 that Colin had his third success. Following Tommy Gosling’s retirement he had joined another successful Epsom trainer, Ron Smyth, and it was on his Mitilini at Plumpton that he triumphed, taking the lead two flights out going on to beat Paulatim by three lengths in the Ditchling Novices’ Hurdle. He had one more success that season, when the three-year-old Super Express neat 18 rivals to land the Egham Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
It was not until December 11, 1984 that Colin had his third success. Following Tommy Gosling’s retirement he had joined another successful Epsom trainer, Ron Smyth, and it was on his Mitilini at Plumpton that he triumphed, taking the lead two flights out going on to beat Paulatim by three lengths in the Ditchling Novices’ Hurdle. He had one more success that season, when the three-year-old Super Express neat 18 rivals to land the Egham Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
The eight-year-old Ragafin provided Colin with his fifth win by taking the lead on the flat and beating No Hack by two lengths in the Autumn Novices’ Hurdle at Plumpton on November 11, 1985.
The eight-year-old Ragafin provided Colin with his fifth win by taking the lead on the flat and beating No Hack by two lengths in the Autumn Novices’ Hurdle at Plumpton on November 11, 1985.
It was Super Express that gave Colin his biggest – and last – success when landing the Doug Barrott Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on November 30 following a battle on the flat with Sanhedrin, ridden by Simon Sherwood. Super Express showed little in two subsequent outings, the second of which, at Ascot on January 10, 1986, when pulled up in the Hairy Mary Handicap Hurdle, was Colin’s final ride.
It was Super Express that gave Colin his biggest – and last – success when landing the Doug Barrott Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on November 30 following a battle on the flat with Sanhedrin, ridden by Simon Sherwood. Super Express showed little in two subsequent outings, the second of which, at Ascot on January 10, 1986, when pulled up in the Hairy Mary Handicap Hurdle, was Colin’s final ride.
Colin Furlong’s wins were, in chronological order:
Colin Furlong’s wins were, in chronological order:
1. Mascarenhas, Windsor, February 20, 1980
1. Mascarenhas, Windsor, February 20, 1980
2. Mascarenhas, Lingfield Park, February 20, 1980
2. Mascarenhas, Lingfield Park, February 20, 1980
3. Mitilini, Plumpton, December 11, 1984
3. Mitilini, Plumpton, December 11, 1984
4. Super Express, Kempton Park, December 26, 1984
4. Super Express, Kempton Park, December 26, 1984
5. Ragafin, Plumpton, November 112, 1985
5. Ragafin, Plumpton, November 112, 1985
6. Super Express, Sandown Park, November 30, 1985
6. Super Express, Sandown Park, November 30, 1985
Colin Furlong's final winner: Super Express, Sandown Park, November 30, 1985
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