Arthur Knox
Arthur Knox
Arthur Knox
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Although Arthur Knox rode on northern courses for many years at the start of the 20th century, he had only eight wins, two of them being walkovers, while another was a dead-heat.
Although Arthur Knox rode on northern courses for many years at the start of the 20th century, he had only eight wins, two of them being walkovers, while another was a dead-heat.
Born in 1885, he had a few rides on the Flat in the 1890s without success but did register a win at Hamilton Park on April 12, 1898, when Implorer was gifted a walkover for the Open Hurdle.
Born in 1885, he had a few rides on the Flat in the 1890s without success but did register a win at Hamilton Park on April 12, 1898, when Implorer was gifted a walkover for the Open Hurdle.
It was not until Crown Point won a match for the Broadlands Selling Handicap Chase at what proved to be the last day’s racing ever held at Burgh-by-Sands on Easter Monday, April 16, 1900, that he was able to double his score, those first two wins combined having involved beating just one opponent.
It was not until Crown Point won a match for the Broadlands Selling Handicap Chase at what proved to be the last day’s racing ever held at Burgh-by-Sands on Easter Monday, April 16, 1900, that he was able to double his score, those first two wins combined having involved beating just one opponent.
The traditional Burgh-By-Sands (pronounced ‘Bruff’) Easter Monday fixture was founded by the Mulcaster family, its inaugural meeting having taken place in 1882. The most famous horse to appear at this Cumbrian meeting was Old Joe, trained near the course by George Mulcaster. Old Joe landed the Tradesmen’s Cup Chase there in 1884 and, two years later, he won the Grand National, ridden by Tommy Skelton.
The traditional Burgh-By-Sands (pronounced ‘Bruff’) Easter Monday fixture was founded by the Mulcaster family, its inaugural meeting having taken place in 1882. The most famous horse to appear at this Cumbrian meeting was Old Joe, trained near the course by George Mulcaster. Old Joe landed the Tradesmen’s Cup Chase there in 1884 and, two years later, he won the Grand National, ridden by Tommy Skelton.
With Burgh-by-Sands’ Easter Monday fixture having been lost, neighbouring Carlisle stepped in a few years later to pick up the date and maintained a two-day Easter meeting (Saturday and Monday) until 2003.
With Burgh-by-Sands’ Easter Monday fixture having been lost, neighbouring Carlisle stepped in a few years later to pick up the date and maintained a two-day Easter meeting (Saturday and Monday) until 2003.
As for Arthur Knox, he had rides in every year between 1900 and 1914, but wins were rare. One of them was at Hexham on October 8, 1913, when his mount, Theobald’s Park, dead-heated with John Farrell on Sea Toiler in the Dotland Handicap Chase.
As for Arthur Knox, he had rides in every year between 1900 and 1914, but wins were rare. One of them was at Hexham on October 8, 1913, when his mount, Theobald’s Park, dead-heated with John Farrell on Sea Toiler in the Dotland Handicap Chase.
His final victory came at Sedgefield on April 1, 1914, when Crusora won the Plodders Hunters’ Handicap Chase by two lengths. Perhaps the name of the race was reflective of Arthur’s career. He had his last ride later that same afternoon when Ragamuffin fell in the Sheraton Sweepstakes Hurdle.
His final victory came at Sedgefield on April 1, 1914, when Crusora won the Plodders Hunters’ Handicap Chase by two lengths. Perhaps the name of the race was reflective of Arthur’s career. He had his last ride later that same afternoon when Ragamuffin fell in the Sheraton Sweepstakes Hurdle.
Arthur Knox’s winners were, in chronological order:
Arthur Knox’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Implorer, Hamilton Park, April 12, 1898 (walkover)
1. Implorer, Hamilton Park, April 12, 1898 (walkover)
2. Crown Point, Burgh-by-Sands, April 16, 1900
2. Crown Point, Burgh-by-Sands, April 16, 1900
3. Crispus, Hamilton Park, January 2, 1901
3. Crispus, Hamilton Park, January 2, 1901
4. Royal Freak, Hamilton Park, April 1, 1907
4. Royal Freak, Hamilton Park, April 1, 1907
5. St. Jacus, Wolverhampton, April 2, 1907 (walkover)
5. St. Jacus, Wolverhampton, April 2, 1907 (walkover)
6. Blazing Star, Carlisle, March 28, 1910
6. Blazing Star, Carlisle, March 28, 1910
7. Theobald’s Park, Hexham, October 8, 1913 (dead-heat)
7. Theobald’s Park, Hexham, October 8, 1913 (dead-heat)
8. Crusora, Sedgefield, April 1, 1914
8. Crusora, Sedgefield, April 1, 1914
Arthur Knox's second winner: Crown Point, Burgh-by-Sands, April 16, 1900
Arthur Knox's second winner: Crown Point, Burgh-by-Sands, April 16, 1900
Arthur Knox's final winner was Crusora at Sedgefield, April 1, 1914
Arthur Knox's final winner was Crusora at Sedgefield, April 1, 1914