Frank Furlong
1911 - 1944
1911 - 1944
Reynoldstown, named after the place of its birth near Naul, County Dublin, won the Grand National in 1935 and 1936.
Reynoldstown, named after the place of its birth near Naul, County Dublin, won the Grand National in 1935 and 1936.
He had been offered for sale to the American Mr J H Whitney, but the prospective buyer had been unable to travel to see the horse and had missed the opportunity of a lifetime. Reynoldstown was bought, instead, by Major Noel Furlong, who took the horse back to Leicester to train.
He had been offered for sale to the American Mr J H Whitney, but the prospective buyer had been unable to travel to see the horse and had missed the opportunity of a lifetime. Reynoldstown was bought, instead, by Major Noel Furlong, who took the horse back to Leicester to train.
The Major's son Frank, - born on December 6, 1911 - a subaltern in the 9th Lancers, had already ridden Reynoldstown to three victories that season; hence the Major's interest.
The Major's son Frank, - born on December 6, 1911 - a subaltern in the 9th Lancers, had already ridden Reynoldstown to three victories that season; hence the Major's interest.
The 8-year-old near-black gelding was trained for and entered in that year's National for which Golden Miller was all the rage. Two jumps after Valentine's, an almighty groan rose from the stands as the favourite unshipped his hapless jockey, Gerry Wilson. Frank Furlong took up the running on Reynoldstown at Becher's and was still three lengths clear at the line. He may have been a fortunate winner - Billy Parvin, riding the runner-up Blue Prince, lost many lengths as his saddle slipped.
The 8-year-old near-black gelding was trained for and entered in that year's National for which Golden Miller was all the rage. Two jumps after Valentine's, an almighty groan rose from the stands as the favourite unshipped his hapless jockey, Gerry Wilson. Frank Furlong took up the running on Reynoldstown at Becher's and was still three lengths clear at the line. He may have been a fortunate winner - Billy Parvin, riding the runner-up Blue Prince, lost many lengths as his saddle slipped.
In the 1936 Grand National, the blameless Gerry Wilson had nevertheless been replaced (by Evan Williams).
In the 1936 Grand National, the blameless Gerry Wilson had nevertheless been replaced (by Evan Williams).
Frank Furlong, having received a licence to train, was replaced on Reynoldstown by a brother officer from the 9th Lancers, Fulke Walwyn.
Frank Furlong, having received a licence to train, was replaced on Reynoldstown by a brother officer from the 9th Lancers, Fulke Walwyn.
Frank, whose stable was at Blaston, near Market Harborough, Leicester, initially trained (and rode) just the horses owned by his father.
Frank, whose stable was at Blaston, near Market Harborough, Leicester, initially trained (and rode) just the horses owned by his father.
Frank Furlong was killed in an air crash in 1944. Earlier, in 1941, he had taken part in an operation to sink the Bismark when he had to ditch in the North Atlantic and spend 48 hours adrift in a dingy before he was picked up.
Frank Furlong was killed in an air crash in 1944. Earlier, in 1941, he had taken part in an operation to sink the Bismark when he had to ditch in the North Atlantic and spend 48 hours adrift in a dingy before he was picked up.
Frank's head lad was the son of Frank Connolly who, in his younger days, was a well-known jockey. Frank Connolly died, aged 87, on Thursday April 8, 1937, at his home in Market Harborough.
Frank's head lad was the son of Frank Connolly who, in his younger days, was a well-known jockey. Frank Connolly died, aged 87, on Thursday April 8, 1937, at his home in Market Harborough.
Frank Furlong's daughter, Grizelda, carried on the family's racing interests; she bought Quarto who, on Thursday, November 16, 1978, won Stratford's Southern Cross Novices Hurdle at 33/1 when trained by John Webber and ridden by his son, Anthony.
Frank Furlong's daughter, Grizelda, carried on the family's racing interests; she bought Quarto who, on Thursday, November 16, 1978, won Stratford's Southern Cross Novices Hurdle at 33/1 when trained by John Webber and ridden by his son, Anthony.