Brian Arnold

Brian Arnold

Article by Alan Trout

Brian George Arnold rode two winners under National Hunt rules more than four years apart.

Associated with the Oswestry stable of Arthur Jones, trainer of Champion Hurdler Merry Deal, Brian had his first ride at Sedgefield on September 27, 1974, when Angler’s Club was pulled up at halfway in the Ludworth Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle. 

It was on December 9, 1974 that he was able to enjoy his first victory when Blaway took an early lead and held off the challenge of Vic Percival’s mount Laredo to land the Thornaby Selling Handicap Hurdle at Teesside Park by a length. It was his first ride on the six-year-old and they were not placed in five subsequent starts, 

Brian missed the next two years completely, not returning until March 1978, and there was another long gap before his second success. It finally came at Bangor-on-Dee on August 18, 1979, when 25/1 chance Frankie, trained like Blaway by Arthur Jones, took the lead at the last flight and held off the challenge of Roy Davies on Turner to take the Jones & Son Auctioneers Handicap Hurdle by a length and a half.

His final ride was also on Frankie, but they could only finish eighth of 21 runners in the Rugeley Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter on April 8, 1980.