Alan Arnold
Article by Alan Trout
Despite being apprenticed to one of the leading Flat trainers of the first three decades of the 20th century, Alan Percy Arnold did not manage to ride a winner.
His master was Robert Sherwood (1860-1942), the son and grandson of Derby-winning trainers. He sent out hundreds of winners from St Gatien House Stables, Newmarket but was unable to provide Alan with a single success.
Alan rode for three seasons during World War One. He had his first ride at Newmarket on July 19, 1916 when Lendrick finished in the rear in the Maiden Apprentice Three-Year-Old Plate, having been slowly away. The winner, Eunice, was ridden by Frederick Candlin, who was enjoying his only success in England.
Although Alan kept trying, riding horses owned and trained by Robert Sherwood and his long-standing owner Captain J. Homfray, he did not make a breakthrough. He had his last ride on Zeta, who finished unplaced in the 23-runner Beach Two-Year-Old Selling Plate at Newmarket on July 18, 1918, a race won by Vic Smyth on Elvera.
Alan Arnold's first ride came on Lendrick at Newmarket.
