Born in 1879, Arthur Frederick Ireson rode on the Flat in the late 1890s without success but had ten winners over jumps between 1902 and 1907, plus one more in 1914.
He had his first win on Gonzales in the Park Steeplechase at Sandown Park on March 7, 1902, the Sporting Life describing it as “a beautifully judged effort.” He had one more start on Gonzales, at Maiden Erlegh on March 26, but a fall ended the partnership. In between those two races, Arthur had doubled his score when St Gall triumphed by 12 lengths in the Dunsmore Plate at Rugby Hunt.
He rode five winners in the next two seasons, then endured a gap of nearly three years before three more victories in 1907, as well as an unplaced ride on Gonzales in that year’s Scottish Grand National.
Following a seven-year gap, he has his final win when Barnacle beat three rivals to land the Dover Steeplechase at Folkestone on March 14, 1914. Arthur was the gelding’s regular rider and was aboard when he pulled up next time out at Colwall Park seven days later. Barnacle never ran again.
Arthur had his final ride on Talk Of The Town, who finished last of seven runners in the Portsea Selling Hurdle on April 13, 1914.
He died in 1941. His son, Leslie Arthur Ireson (1907-1979), who was known by his second name, rode on the Flat and had a dozen wins between 1927 and 1950, his last success being his most important, on 20-1 shot Rambling Vista in the valuable Guernsey Stud Produce Stakes at Birmingham.
Arthur Ireson Snr’s wins were, in chronological order:
1. Gonzales, Sandown Park, March 7, 1902
2. St Gall, Rugby Hunt, March 13, 1902
3. David Harum, Rugby Hunt, March 19, 1903
4. Blue Crescent, Lingfield Park, March 20, 1903
5. The Scotchman II, Folkestone, May 11, 1903
6. San Terenzo, Folkestone, April 25, 1904
7. David Harum, Southwell, May 10, 1904
8. Fate, Folkestone, March 3, 1907
9. St. Lawrence, Chelmsford, November 7, 1907
10. Sweet William, Folkestone, December 16, 1907
11. Barnacle, Folkestone, March 14, 1914