Andrew Knowles
1897-1967
1897-1967
Amateur rider Andrew Knowles was born on February 17, 1897. He rode 34 winners under National Hunt rules between 1920 and 1923 and was placed in both the Cheltenham and Liverpool Foxhunters Chases.
Amateur rider Andrew Knowles was born on February 17, 1897. He rode 34 winners under National Hunt rules between 1920 and 1923 and was placed in both the Cheltenham and Liverpool Foxhunters Chases.
He rode for the first time under NH rules when finishing unplaced on a horse named Chakrata in the Windsor Selling Hurdle at Cardiff on Easter Monday, April 21, 1919.
He rode for the first time under NH rules when finishing unplaced on a horse named Chakrata in the Windsor Selling Hurdle at Cardiff on Easter Monday, April 21, 1919.
He finished third on Shothard in the 1920 Cheltenham Foxhunters’ Chase. Six days later, March 17, 1920, Shothard gave Andrew his first success under rules when winning the Hunters’ Chase at Monmouth by a neck.
He finished third on Shothard in the 1920 Cheltenham Foxhunters’ Chase. Six days later, March 17, 1920, Shothard gave Andrew his first success under rules when winning the Hunters’ Chase at Monmouth by a neck.
The following month, on April 28, he registered a treble at the annual Glamorgan Hunt NH fixture at Cowbridge, landing the Penllyn Novices’ Chase on Cock Sparrow, the Bassett Chase on Tango Stocking and the Homfray Handicap Chase on Grey Simon.
The following month, on April 28, he registered a treble at the annual Glamorgan Hunt NH fixture at Cowbridge, landing the Penllyn Novices’ Chase on Cock Sparrow, the Bassett Chase on Tango Stocking and the Homfray Handicap Chase on Grey Simon.
He finished 1920 with 10 wins, placing him fifth in that year’s amateur riders’ table. He would go on to equal that score in both 1922 and 1923. (He rode four winners in 1921).
He finished 1920 with 10 wins, placing him fifth in that year’s amateur riders’ table. He would go on to equal that score in both 1922 and 1923. (He rode four winners in 1921).
Andrew had his only ride in the Grand National in 1922 on 100-1 outsider Awbeg, but their race ended with a fall at Becher’s Brook on the first circuit.
Andrew had his only ride in the Grand National in 1922 on 100-1 outsider Awbeg, but their race ended with a fall at Becher’s Brook on the first circuit.
In 1923 he finished fourth in the National Hunt Chase on the Fred Withington-trained Fluid Magnesia and finished second on him in the Liverpool Foxhunters Chase, then run over the full Grand National distance of 4 miles 856 yards. They were beaten one length by Gracious Gift, ridden by Captain Tuppy Bennet, who had won the Grand National itself the previous day on the 13-years-old veteran Sergeant Murphy.
In 1923 he finished fourth in the National Hunt Chase on the Fred Withington-trained Fluid Magnesia and finished second on him in the Liverpool Foxhunters Chase, then run over the full Grand National distance of 4 miles 856 yards. They were beaten one length by Gracious Gift, ridden by Captain Tuppy Bennet, who had won the Grand National itself the previous day on the 13-years-old veteran Sergeant Murphy.
Andrew rode what proved to be his last two winners under NH rules when landing a double at Hexham on Whit Monday, May 21, 1923. Having won the Spital Handicap Chase on Red Pepper II, he then added the Battle Hill National Hunt Flat Race on Silent Sands.
Andrew rode what proved to be his last two winners under NH rules when landing a double at Hexham on Whit Monday, May 21, 1923. Having won the Spital Handicap Chase on Red Pepper II, he then added the Battle Hill National Hunt Flat Race on Silent Sands.
He later acquired a point-to-pointer named Patos, on whom he won eight times between the flags. In 1928 they won at the Cheshire and the Meynell. They also took part in that year’s National Hunt Chase but fell. Patos gave him his last ride under NH rules when being pulled up in a second attempt at the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham on March 13, 1929.
He later acquired a point-to-pointer named Patos, on whom he won eight times between the flags. In 1928 they won at the Cheshire and the Meynell. They also took part in that year’s National Hunt Chase but fell. Patos gave him his last ride under NH rules when being pulled up in a second attempt at the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham on March 13, 1929.
Seven days after that National Hunt Chase, they repeated their previous year’s success at the Meynell, going on to win further point-to-points that year at the Harkaway Club, Atherstone, Barlow, Wheatland and United & Teme Valley.
Seven days after that National Hunt Chase, they repeated their previous year’s success at the Meynell, going on to win further point-to-points that year at the Harkaway Club, Atherstone, Barlow, Wheatland and United & Teme Valley.
In addition to those point-to-point successes, Andrew also rode Patos to win the Nomination Chase at the Rockwood Harriers’ Hunt’s bona fide meeting on Saturday, April 27, 1929. Bona fide meetings were essentially point-to-points and differed only inasmuch as that racegoers could be charged for admission and the results appeared in the official Racing-up-to-Date form book. However, the winners did not count to the riders’ seasonal totals and the horses remained maidens for races under ‘proper’ National Hunt rules.
In addition to those point-to-point successes, Andrew also rode Patos to win the Nomination Chase at the Rockwood Harriers’ Hunt’s bona fide meeting on Saturday, April 27, 1929. Bona fide meetings were essentially point-to-points and differed only inasmuch as that racegoers could be charged for admission and the results appeared in the official Racing-up-to-Date form book. However, the winners did not count to the riders’ seasonal totals and the horses remained maidens for races under ‘proper’ National Hunt rules.
Andrew Knowles died on March 3, 1967, aged 70.
Andrew Knowles died on March 3, 1967, aged 70.
