Arnold Higgs
Arnold Higgs
Arnold Higgs
1904-1924
1904-1924
Arnold Ebor Higgs was born on September 6, 1904, the son of two-time champion jockey Billy Higgs. His unusual second Christian name was doubtless bestowed to commemorate the fact that his father had won the Ebor Handicap in the year Arnold was born. Billy went on to win the Ebor three times in the first decade of the twentieth century.
Arnold Ebor Higgs was born on September 6, 1904, the son of two-time champion jockey Billy Higgs. His unusual second Christian name was doubtless bestowed to commemorate the fact that his father had won the Ebor Handicap in the year Arnold was born. Billy went on to win the Ebor three times in the first decade of the twentieth century.
The ‘Ebor’ moniker would thus have been regarded as a lucky one when young Arnold followed in his father’s jockey footsteps after Billy turned his attentions to training. Indeed, having made a promising start to race-riding, Arnold looked set to have a bright future.
The ‘Ebor’ moniker would thus have been regarded as a lucky one when young Arnold followed in his father’s jockey footsteps after Billy turned his attentions to training. Indeed, having made a promising start to race-riding, Arnold looked set to have a bright future.
He was apprenticed to Samuel Pickering, who was based at Kentford, near Newmarket, his father not yet having commenced training. He had his first ride on Pretty, owned by his father, finishing unplaced in the Bull Ring Handicap at Birmingham on June 7, 1921.
He was apprenticed to Samuel Pickering, who was based at Kentford, near Newmarket, his father not yet having commenced training. He had his first ride on Pretty, owned by his father, finishing unplaced in the Bull Ring Handicap at Birmingham on June 7, 1921.
A month later came his first success when Bourton Duck won the Open Selling Plate at Salisbury on July 5. He scored twice more before the end of the season, and equalled that tally in 1922. His final wins comprised a double at Salisbury on May 18. In the first, the Juvenile Selling Plate, his mount Lady Bountiful dead-heated with Bandnabay, ridden by top jockey Bernard ‘Brownie’ Carslake. In the next race, the Wiltshire Handicap, Arnold scored by three-quarters of a length on Blackland. There were to be no further wins.
A month later came his first success when Bourton Duck won the Open Selling Plate at Salisbury on July 5. He scored twice more before the end of the season, and equalled that tally in 1922. His final wins comprised a double at Salisbury on May 18. In the first, the Juvenile Selling Plate, his mount Lady Bountiful dead-heated with Bandnabay, ridden by top jockey Bernard ‘Brownie’ Carslake. In the next race, the Wiltshire Handicap, Arnold scored by three-quarters of a length on Blackland. There were to be no further wins.
On Thursday, May 15, 1924, 19-year-old Arnold rode his father’s 10-1 chance William Tell in the Earl of Chester’s Welter Handicap on the final day of the course’s traditional three-day May meeting. The horse stumbled and Arnold fell from the saddle, having covered just two furlongs of the six-furlong trip.
On Thursday, May 15, 1924, 19-year-old Arnold rode his father’s 10-1 chance William Tell in the Earl of Chester’s Welter Handicap on the final day of the course’s traditional three-day May meeting. The horse stumbled and Arnold fell from the saddle, having covered just two furlongs of the six-furlong trip.
Badly hurt, he was taken to hospital where he died from his injuries the following day, Friday, May 16. Sadly, the name ‘Ebor’ had not brought Arnold the luck enjoyed by his father. Instead, his career and life had come to a tragic end while still in his teens.
Badly hurt, he was taken to hospital where he died from his injuries the following day, Friday, May 16. Sadly, the name ‘Ebor’ had not brought Arnold the luck enjoyed by his father. Instead, his career and life had come to a tragic end while still in his teens.
Arnold Higgs’ winners were, in chronological order:
Arnold Higgs’ winners were, in chronological order:
1. Bourton Duck, Salisbury, July 5, 1921
1. Bourton Duck, Salisbury, July 5, 1921
2. William Tell, Birmingham, November 1, 1921
2. William Tell, Birmingham, November 1, 1921
3. William Tell, Newbury, November 4, 1921
3. William Tell, Newbury, November 4, 1921
4. Blackland, Lincoln, March 22, 1922
4. Blackland, Lincoln, March 22, 1922
5. Lady Bountiful, Salisbury, May 18, 1922 (dead-heat)
5. Lady Bountiful, Salisbury, May 18, 1922 (dead-heat)
6. Blackland, Salisbury, May 18, 1922
6. Blackland, Salisbury, May 18, 1922
Additional information provided by Alan Trout.
Additional information provided by Alan Trout.