Adolf Opitz

Although Adolf Opitz was granted a full licence for the 1903 Flat season, he appears to have only had one ride. At Leicester on 22 July he finished unplaced on Special Scotch in the Bradgate Park Plate.

He did not fare any better in 1904, although he had a few more mounts. His last two efforts were on the same day, on 24 June at Birmingham. He finished down the field on Sea-fox in the Coventry Plate and was also unplaced on E.C. in the Trial Selling Plate. E.C. was owned by the celebrated Irish amateur rider, owner and trainer Willie Cullen.

Adolf Opitz was not seen on the Flat again in Britain but he was granted a licence for the 1909 National Hunt season.

Again, he failed to ride a winner, although, in fairness, he had few opportunities. He was first seen over jumps when finishing fourth on Exhilaration in the Portsea Selling Handicap Hurdle at Portsmouth Park on Easter Monday, 12 April 1909, his only ride that day.

The closest he came to riding a winner was at the next Portsmouth meeting on 5 May when finishing second, beaten three lengths, on Tommy G in the Fareham Selling Handicap Chase. He finished unplaced on Exhilaration in the selling hurdle that same afternoon.

Adolf was quickly reunited with Tommy G the following day at Hambledon Hunt, this time only managing fourth place. He was unplaced on his other mount that day, Drover, in the selling hurdle.

His last ride on Tommy G came in the four-runner Carisbrooke Selling Handicap Chase at Isle of Wight on Friday, 14 May, but they failed to complete the course, being one of three to refuse during the race. He then finished last of four on Golden June in the Sandown Selling Hurdle. That appears to have marked Adolf Opitz’s farewell to British racing.