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1911 - 1994
1911 - 1994
Arthur William Goodwill was born at Oswaldwistle, near Blackburn, on December 17, 1911, the son of a hairdresser. He was apprenticed to Harvey Leader in 1926. It was Leader who gave Arthur the nickname ‘Fiddler’ after it was discovered that he could play the violin. That nickname was to stay with him throughout his life.
Arthur William Goodwill was born at Oswaldwistle, near Blackburn, on December 17, 1911, the son of a hairdresser. He was apprenticed to Harvey Leader in 1926. It was Leader who gave Arthur the nickname ‘Fiddler’ after it was discovered that he could play the violin. That nickname was to stay with him throughout his life.
He soon became too heavy for the Flat and switched to riding over jumps, scoring his first success on Guynemer for Tom Leader in the Bilton Hurdle at Wetherby on Easter Monday, April 2, 1934. The best
He soon became too heavy for the Flat and switched to riding over jumps, scoring his first success on Guynemer for Tom Leader in the Bilton Hurdle at Wetherby on Easter Monday, April 2, 1934. The best
horse he rode was Jovial Judge, on whom he won the Five Hundred Chase at Manchester in 1938.
horse he rode was Jovial Judge, on whom he won the Five Hundred Chase at Manchester in 1938.
During the war, ‘Fiddler’ worked in a radio and radar factory in Cambridge, riding in gallops and in races whenever he could. After the war he set up as a trainer at Royston and scored his first success with Gold Washer over hurdles at Southwell on February 16, 1946. Later that year he moved to Balsham, Cambridgeshire, before settling at Sackville House, Newmarket in 1954. At first he rented the stables from Jack Jarvis but eventually bought them outright.
During the war, ‘Fiddler’ worked in a radio and radar factory in Cambridge, riding in gallops and in races whenever he could. After the war he set up as a trainer at Royston and scored his first success with Gold Washer over hurdles at Southwell on February 16, 1946. Later that year he moved to Balsham, Cambridgeshire, before settling at Sackville House, Newmarket in 1954. At first he rented the stables from Jack Jarvis but eventually bought them outright.
His best season numerically was in 1962, when his 31 victories included the Princess Mary Nursery at Doncaster with Vent Neurf. He also had a runner in that year’s Derby, 100/1 outsider Song Of Pan, who was unplaced behind Larkspur.
His best season numerically was in 1962, when his 31 victories included the Princess Mary Nursery at Doncaster with Vent Neurf. He also had a runner in that year’s Derby, 100/1 outsider Song Of Pan, who was unplaced behind Larkspur.
Perhaps his best training performance was to saddle four winners from four runners at Wolverhampton on August 1, 1966, including Debach Girl, a prolific winner in staying handicaps. However, his most important training success was when saddling Woolley to win the 1969 Bunbury Cup.
Perhaps his best training performance was to saddle four winners from four runners at Wolverhampton on August 1, 1966, including Debach Girl, a prolific winner in staying handicaps. However, his most important training success was when saddling Woolley to win the 1969 Bunbury Cup.
His daughter and assistant trainer, Linda Goodwill, was one of the first female jockeys, becoming champion lady rider in 1973, thanks entirely to four wins on her father’s colt Pee Mai.
His daughter and assistant trainer, Linda Goodwill, was one of the first female jockeys, becoming champion lady rider in 1973, thanks entirely to four wins on her father’s colt Pee Mai.
‘Fiddler’ had intended to retire from training in January 1981 but delayed his retirement until the end of that year to act as private trainer to Michael Mouskos at Exning.
‘Fiddler’ had intended to retire from training in January 1981 but delayed his retirement until the end of that year to act as private trainer to Michael Mouskos at Exning.
He died in November 1994, aged 82.
He died in November 1994, aged 82.
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