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Walter Skrine
Walter Skrine
1907-1971
1907-1971
Major Walter Henry Skrine was born in 1907 in County Kildare, Ireland, one of five children born to Walter Clarmont Skrine (1860-1930) and Agnes (Nesta) Shakespear Skrine (nee Higginson). During his childhood he lived in Briencan, Ballymore Eustace, Kildare.
Major Walter Henry Skrine was born in 1907 in County Kildare, Ireland, one of five children born to Walter Clarmont Skrine (1860-1930) and Agnes (Nesta) Shakespear Skrine (nee Higginson). During his childhood he lived in Briencan, Ballymore Eustace, Kildare.
His sister was the novelist and playwright Molly Keane. His brother, Godfrey, worked in a solicitor’s office in Leicester and used to ride out for trainer Alec Kilpatrick, who was then based at Oadby. Kilpatrick moved to Collingbourne Ducis shortly before the start of World War two.
His sister was the novelist and playwright Molly Keane. His brother, Godfrey, worked in a solicitor’s office in Leicester and used to ride out for trainer Alec Kilpatrick, who was then based at Oadby. Kilpatrick moved to Collingbourne Ducis shortly before the start of World War two.
Walter served in the Royal Artillery. He rode winners in India during the war and it was his great ambition to ride in the Grand National. However, he was badly wounded in the commando landings in Sicily. As the result of a serious operation, one of his legs ended up two inches shorter than the other. As this greatly affected his agility in the saddle, he promptly volunteered to have the other leg shortened by two inches. Hence, when Major Skrine first appeared in Kilpatrick’s yard in January 1945 – National Hunt racing have just resumed for the first time since March 1942 – he was on crutches, hardly inspiring the trainer’s confidence.
Walter served in the Royal Artillery. He rode winners in India during the war and it was his great ambition to ride in the Grand National. However, he was badly wounded in the commando landings in Sicily. As the result of a serious operation, one of his legs ended up two inches shorter than the other. As this greatly affected his agility in the saddle, he promptly volunteered to have the other leg shortened by two inches. Hence, when Major Skrine first appeared in Kilpatrick’s yard in January 1945 – National Hunt racing have just resumed for the first time since March 1942 – he was on crutches, hardly inspiring the trainer’s confidence.
Kilpatrick bought him an aged schoolmaster called Post Horn from jockey Ben Lay’s wife. The horse had suffered with leg injuries, so it was really a case of who would break down first, horse or rider.
Kilpatrick bought him an aged schoolmaster called Post Horn from jockey Ben Lay’s wife. The horse had suffered with leg injuries, so it was really a case of who would break down first, horse or rider.
By way of increasing his fitness, Walter completed a 600-mile tour of Ireland, walking and riding. He frequently walked the 15-plus miles from his military base at Larkhill to Collingbourne Ducis. This demanding regime had the desired effect.
By way of increasing his fitness, Walter completed a 600-mile tour of Ireland, walking and riding. He frequently walked the 15-plus miles from his military base at Larkhill to Collingbourne Ducis. This demanding regime had the desired effect.
He made his debut under National Hunt rules when finishing unplaced on Post Horn in the Winchcombe Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on March 17, 1945. He came sixth on him at the same venue two weeks later.
He made his debut under National Hunt rules when finishing unplaced on Post Horn in the Winchcombe Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on March 17, 1945. He came sixth on him at the same venue two weeks later.
It was then a case of third time lucky, for Major Skrine and 13-year-old Post Horn, gaining command approaching the last fence to land the Arundel Chase at Fontwell Park on 25 October 1945, providing Kilpatrick with his first winner of the 1945/46 season. Returning to Fontwell nine days later, they finished second, beaten 12 lengths, to Ben Lay on Ethie Agnes. That was followed by a fall at Windsor the next month.
It was then a case of third time lucky, for Major Skrine and 13-year-old Post Horn, gaining command approaching the last fence to land the Arundel Chase at Fontwell Park on 25 October 1945, providing Kilpatrick with his first winner of the 1945/46 season. Returning to Fontwell nine days later, they finished second, beaten 12 lengths, to Ben Lay on Ethie Agnes. That was followed by a fall at Windsor the next month.
A fifth-place finish back at Cheltenham was followed by a distant third at Wincanton on Boxing Day. They then came within a short-head of victory at Fontwell on 10 January, just failing to peg back E.P., the mount of Dicky Black. The pair put up a fine display in the 1946 Kim Muir Memorial Challenge Cup at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting, finishing second to Astrometer, beaten three lengths. Walter was all set to ride Post Horn in the Grand National but the old horse broke down on the eve of the race.
A fifth-place finish back at Cheltenham was followed by a distant third at Wincanton on Boxing Day. They then came within a short-head of victory at Fontwell on 10 January, just failing to peg back E.P., the mount of Dicky Black. The pair put up a fine display in the 1946 Kim Muir Memorial Challenge Cup at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting, finishing second to Astrometer, beaten three lengths. Walter was all set to ride Post Horn in the Grand National but the old horse broke down on the eve of the race.
Not long afterwards, Walter bought a six-year-old replacement called Martin M for 410 guineas at the sales in Dublin. The horse more than admirably served his purpose, winning a chaotic Valentine Chase at Aintree on 9 November 1946, in which half of the six-runner field had departed by the third fence. Another fell at the fifth, was remounted, only to fall again two fences later. Approaching the last fence, Clyduffe, ridden by Matt Hogan, was well clear when almost being carried out by a loose horse, leaving Walter and 33-1 rank outsider Martin M to get up close home and beat Clyduffe by a length and a half, they being the only two to get round.
Not long afterwards, Walter bought a six-year-old replacement called Martin M for 410 guineas at the sales in Dublin. The horse more than admirably served his purpose, winning a chaotic Valentine Chase at Aintree on 9 November 1946, in which half of the six-runner field had departed by the third fence. Another fell at the fifth, was remounted, only to fall again two fences later. Approaching the last fence, Clyduffe, ridden by Matt Hogan, was well clear when almost being carried out by a loose horse, leaving Walter and 33-1 rank outsider Martin M to get up close home and beat Clyduffe by a length and a half, they being the only two to get round.
After finishing third in the Royal Artillery Past and Present Chase at Sandown Park’s Grand Military meeting, Walter achieved his long-held ambition of riding in the Grand National, completing the course on Martin M, albeit after remounting, in the 1947 race, won by 100-1 chance Caughoo.
After finishing third in the Royal Artillery Past and Present Chase at Sandown Park’s Grand Military meeting, Walter achieved his long-held ambition of riding in the Grand National, completing the course on Martin M, albeit after remounting, in the 1947 race, won by 100-1 chance Caughoo.
Walter won twice on Martin M during the 1947/48 season, landing the Royal Artillery Past and Present Chase at Sandown’s Royal Artillery meeting and the Salisbury Handicap Chase vat Wincanton on Easter Monday.
Walter won twice on Martin M during the 1947/48 season, landing the Royal Artillery Past and Present Chase at Sandown’s Royal Artillery meeting and the Salisbury Handicap Chase vat Wincanton on Easter Monday.
During the 1948/49 campaign, Walter won on Martin M at Fontwell in October, finished sixth on him in the Molyneux Chase over the Grand National fences in November, won Sandown’s Londesborough Handicap Chase in January and Kempton’s Corinthian Handicap Chase in February, fell three out in the Grand Military Gold Cup and then fell again in the 1949 Grand National, ending their season by finishing second in the Royal Artillery Past and Present Chase.
During the 1948/49 campaign, Walter won on Martin M at Fontwell in October, finished sixth on him in the Molyneux Chase over the Grand National fences in November, won Sandown’s Londesborough Handicap Chase in January and Kempton’s Corinthian Handicap Chase in February, fell three out in the Grand Military Gold Cup and then fell again in the 1949 Grand National, ending their season by finishing second in the Royal Artillery Past and Present Chase.
Walter and Martin M again tackled the Grand National fences in the next season’s Molyneux Chase but were among the fallers. They also parted company on their final appearance together, their race ending with a fall three fences from home in the Chiswick Handicap Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day 1949.
Walter and Martin M again tackled the Grand National fences in the next season’s Molyneux Chase but were among the fallers. They also parted company on their final appearance together, their race ending with a fall three fences from home in the Chiswick Handicap Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day 1949.
Soon afterward, a heart condition enforced his retirement from riding in races. He continued his Army career, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Soon afterward, a heart condition enforced his retirement from riding in races. He continued his Army career, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Walter Skrine died in 1971, aged 63.
Walter Skrine died in 1971, aged 63.
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