Matthew Howard
Matthew Howard
Matthew Howard
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Although Matthew Howard had some rides on the Flat, all his seven winners were gained over jumps between 1921 and 1926.
Although Matthew Howard had some rides on the Flat, all his seven winners were gained over jumps between 1921 and 1926.
Born about 1894, he served his apprenticeship with William Jarvis at Newmarket and had his first ride when finishing unplaced on the Jarvis-trained Chaff at Newmarket on June 30, 1908, in the Visitors’ Apprentice Plate, a race won by Stanley Wootton on Elspeth.
Born about 1894, he served his apprenticeship with William Jarvis at Newmarket and had his first ride when finishing unplaced on the Jarvis-trained Chaff at Newmarket on June 30, 1908, in the Visitors’ Apprentice Plate, a race won by Stanley Wootton on Elspeth.
He rode on the Flat until 1911, and then, following the First World War, began riding over jumps, making an inauspicious start with a fall from Oakmere II in the Ellesmere Chase at Manchester on March 6, 1920. It was at the same course, on January 3, 1921, that he had his first winner, when six-year-old Vale of Realm won the Stand Handicap Chase, beating Scottish Archer, the mount of Arthur Waudby, by four lengths.
He rode on the Flat until 1911, and then, following the First World War, began riding over jumps, making an inauspicious start with a fall from Oakmere II in the Ellesmere Chase at Manchester on March 6, 1920. It was at the same course, on January 3, 1921, that he had his first winner, when six-year-old Vale of Realm won the Stand Handicap Chase, beating Scottish Archer, the mount of Arthur Waudby, by four lengths.
Nine months elapsed before he rode his second winner, but he then had three in seven days. At Kelso on October 15, he beat three rivals to land the Springwood Hurdle on Double Beck. Five days later the same horse obliged by winning the Gossip Holme Handicap Hurdle at Carlisle, and two days after that he took the Chertsey Selling Chase at Sandown on Bell Toll, beating Fred ‘Dick’ Rees on the favourite Governor Wood by four lengths. Percy Vasey trained both horses.
Nine months elapsed before he rode his second winner, but he then had three in seven days. At Kelso on October 15, he beat three rivals to land the Springwood Hurdle on Double Beck. Five days later the same horse obliged by winning the Gossip Holme Handicap Hurdle at Carlisle, and two days after that he took the Chertsey Selling Chase at Sandown on Bell Toll, beating Fred ‘Dick’ Rees on the favourite Governor Wood by four lengths. Percy Vasey trained both horses.
Matthew only rode one winner in 1922, when Hedu took the Leicester Handicap Hurdle on December 5, but he beat two leading jockeys on doing so, namely Frank Wootton, who was second on Love Letter, and Fred Rees, who was third on Royal Bucks.
Matthew only rode one winner in 1922, when Hedu took the Leicester Handicap Hurdle on December 5, but he beat two leading jockeys on doing so, namely Frank Wootton, who was second on Love Letter, and Fred Rees, who was third on Royal Bucks.
It was a year almost to the day before he again visited the winner’s enclosure, at the corresponding Leicester fixture on December 3, 1923, when Red Star IV landed the Birstall Handicap Chase by three lengths. Trained by Tom Coulthwaite, the gelding was winning his first race, having finished second with Matthew on board for the first time, at Birmingham the previous week.
It was a year almost to the day before he again visited the winner’s enclosure, at the corresponding Leicester fixture on December 3, 1923, when Red Star IV landed the Birstall Handicap Chase by three lengths. Trained by Tom Coulthwaite, the gelding was winning his first race, having finished second with Matthew on board for the first time, at Birmingham the previous week.
He had to wait even longer for his what proved to be his last win, which came at Torquay’s Easter meeting on April 6, 1926, when Soulector justified favouritism by winning the St Mary-Church Hurdle, having finished second at the same course the previous day. He had his last ride at Colwall Park later that month, on April 19, when Soulector finished unplaced in the Wells Maiden Hurdle.
He had to wait even longer for his what proved to be his last win, which came at Torquay’s Easter meeting on April 6, 1926, when Soulector justified favouritism by winning the St Mary-Church Hurdle, having finished second at the same course the previous day. He had his last ride at Colwall Park later that month, on April 19, when Soulector finished unplaced in the Wells Maiden Hurdle.
It is likely that Matthew was the brother of James Howard, who rode 127 winners on the Flat, including the 1907 Great Metropolitan and 1909 Lincolnshire Handicaps, as they were both apprenticed to William Jarvis around the same time.
It is likely that Matthew was the brother of James Howard, who rode 127 winners on the Flat, including the 1907 Great Metropolitan and 1909 Lincolnshire Handicaps, as they were both apprenticed to William Jarvis around the same time.
Matthew Howard’s winners were, in chronological order:
Matthew Howard’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Vale Of Realm, Manchester, January 3, 1921
1. Vale Of Realm, Manchester, January 3, 1921
2. Double Beck, Kelso, October 15, 1921
2. Double Beck, Kelso, October 15, 1921
3. Double Beck, Carlisle, October 20, 1921
3. Double Beck, Carlisle, October 20, 1921
4. Bell Toll, Sandown Park, October 22, 1921
4. Bell Toll, Sandown Park, October 22, 1921
5. Hedu, Leicester, December 5, 1922
5. Hedu, Leicester, December 5, 1922
6. Red Dyar IV, Leicester, December 3, 1923
6. Red Dyar IV, Leicester, December 3, 1923
7. Soulector, Torquay, April 6, 1926
7. Soulector, Torquay, April 6, 1926
Two wins in two days for Matthew Howard in 1921
Two wins in two days for Matthew Howard in 1921