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Major Dewhurst leads on Conjuror ll during the 1922 National Hunt Chase
Major Dewhurst leads on Conjuror ll during the 1922 National Hunt Chase
Major Cyril Dewhurst rode his own horse Conjuror II to win the 1922 National Hunt Chase and to finish third in the 1923 Grand National.
Major Cyril Dewhurst rode his own horse Conjuror II to win the 1922 National Hunt Chase and to finish third in the 1923 Grand National.
Cyril Peter Dewhurst was born in 1873, the son of George Bakewell Dewhurst and Frances Lucy Dewhurst. A Cambridge undergraduate, he married Eleanor Mary Wrigley in 1895. They had three children, Peter (born 1900), John and Elizabeth.
Cyril Peter Dewhurst was born in 1873, the son of George Bakewell Dewhurst and Frances Lucy Dewhurst. A Cambridge undergraduate, he married Eleanor Mary Wrigley in 1895. They had three children, Peter (born 1900), John and Elizabeth.
He served in the Lancashire Regiment and was promoted from captain to major in September 1910. During World War One he commanded the 15th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment.
He served in the Lancashire Regiment and was promoted from captain to major in September 1910. During World War One he commanded the 15th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment.
Conjuror II, who was by Garb Or out of a mare by Juggler, had originally been bought by Major Dewhurst’s father for his (Cyril’s) brother to ride in the 1921 Grand Military Gold Cup, only for his colonel to refuse him permission to ride in the race as he was wanted for the Subalterns Polo Cup team.
Conjuror II, who was by Garb Or out of a mare by Juggler, had originally been bought by Major Dewhurst’s father for his (Cyril’s) brother to ride in the 1921 Grand Military Gold Cup, only for his colonel to refuse him permission to ride in the race as he was wanted for the Subalterns Polo Cup team.
Conjuror II was having just his third outing under National Hunt rules when winning the 1922 National Hunt Chase, but he and his 49-year-old rider had already tasted success in point-to-points including the 1921 Lady Dudley Cup at Crowle, beating by two lengths the Irish-trained Waving Pin who had been backed to win £2,000. After winning the National Hunt Chase, they reappeared in April to win the Tarporley Hunt Cup by a distance.
Conjuror II was having just his third outing under National Hunt rules when winning the 1922 National Hunt Chase, but he and his 49-year-old rider had already tasted success in point-to-points including the 1921 Lady Dudley Cup at Crowle, beating by two lengths the Irish-trained Waving Pin who had been backed to win £2,000. After winning the National Hunt Chase, they reappeared in April to win the Tarporley Hunt Cup by a distance.
In early 1923, Major Dewhurst won two handicap chases at Birmingham (right: his win on 10 Feb) on Conjuror II. This encouraged a bid for that year’s Grand National. He had to waste hard to make the 11st Conjuror II was set to carry. Considering his relative race-riding inexperience, he did well to finish third, beaten three lengths and six lengths by Sergeant Murphy and the 1921 winner Shaun Spadah.
In early 1923, Major Dewhurst won two handicap chases at Birmingham (right: his win on 10 Feb) on Conjuror II. This encouraged a bid for that year’s Grand National. He had to waste hard to make the 11st Conjuror II was set to carry. Considering his relative race-riding inexperience, he did well to finish third, beaten three lengths and six lengths by Sergeant Murphy and the 1921 winner Shaun Spadah.
Major Dewhurst rode Conjuror II to win a chase at Manchester in February 1924. The far more experienced Harry Brown then took over the reins in March at Cheltenham and they finished a neck second to Red Splash in the inaugural Gold Cup.
Major Dewhurst rode Conjuror II to win a chase at Manchester in February 1924. The far more experienced Harry Brown then took over the reins in March at Cheltenham and they finished a neck second to Red Splash in the inaugural Gold Cup.
Reunited with Major Dewhurst for the 1925 Cheltenham Gold Cup, Conjuror II sadly broke down with a tendon injury. He recovered sufficiently well but was not asked to race again and returned to where he had started out, hunting with the Cheshire Foxhounds.
Reunited with Major Dewhurst for the 1925 Cheltenham Gold Cup, Conjuror II sadly broke down with a tendon injury. He recovered sufficiently well but was not asked to race again and returned to where he had started out, hunting with the Cheshire Foxhounds.
Major Dewhurst won a second Lady Dudley Cup at Crowle in 1923, riding the 2-1 favourite High Ball, who beat 10-1 shot Court Magic by a neck. There is a story about that close finish. The judge was unsure which horse had won and asked his assistant. When the assistant said Court Magic, the judge replied “I think it was High Ball, and as High Ball is the favourite, we’ll give the public a treat. High Ball is the winner!”
Major Dewhurst won a second Lady Dudley Cup at Crowle in 1923, riding the 2-1 favourite High Ball, who beat 10-1 shot Court Magic by a neck. There is a story about that close finish. The judge was unsure which horse had won and asked his assistant. When the assistant said Court Magic, the judge replied “I think it was High Ball, and as High Ball is the favourite, we’ll give the public a treat. High Ball is the winner!”
After retiring from race-riding, Major Dewhurst hunted with the Cheshire Foxhounds and was also a member of the Tarporley Hunt Club. He died on April 23, 1941 at Overdale, Cheshire, aged 67. He left £119,530.
After retiring from race-riding, Major Dewhurst hunted with the Cheshire Foxhounds and was also a member of the Tarporley Hunt Club. He died on April 23, 1941 at Overdale, Cheshire, aged 67. He left £119,530.
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