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(1860 - 1935)
(1860 - 1935)
Dan, christened Dennis, Thirlwell - the son of a wealthy agriculturist - was one of the neatest and most accomplished riders of his era.
Dan, christened Dennis, Thirlwell - the son of a wealthy agriculturist - was one of the neatest and most accomplished riders of his era.
In the paddock and dressed in the cerise, French grey sleeves and cap colours of Dick Marsh, Thirlwell could match the looks and sex appeal of the day's greatest pin up.
In the paddock and dressed in the cerise, French grey sleeves and cap colours of Dick Marsh, Thirlwell could match the looks and sex appeal of the day's greatest pin up.
He was the son of a farmer in Upmarden, Sussex, and the brother-in-law of Dick Marsh, for whom he rode.
He was the son of a farmer in Upmarden, Sussex, and the brother-in-law of Dick Marsh, for whom he rode.
He was a high-class amateur, and an amusing and talented man being also a musician.
He was a high-class amateur, and an amusing and talented man being also a musician.
Dan was also one of the Duke of Hamilton's favourite amateur jockeys (the others being Peter Wilkinson, Freddie Wombwell & Peter Crawshaw).
Dan was also one of the Duke of Hamilton's favourite amateur jockeys (the others being Peter Wilkinson, Freddie Wombwell & Peter Crawshaw).
He was the brother of Dick Marsh's first wife (Marsh was then the King's trainer).
He was the brother of Dick Marsh's first wife (Marsh was then the King's trainer).
How Dan got started is worth the telling.
How Dan got started is worth the telling.
In the early 1880s, at Sandown Park, a small group of three, consisting of the Duke of Hamilton, his trainer, Dick Marsh, and Mr Thirlwell, a well-known Sussex sportsman, were discussing the probable winner of the steeplechase about to be run. There was a large field and the Duke - known familiarly as Rufus - could not make up his mind what to back.
In the early 1880s, at Sandown Park, a small group of three, consisting of the Duke of Hamilton, his trainer, Dick Marsh, and Mr Thirlwell, a well-known Sussex sportsman, were discussing the probable winner of the steeplechase about to be run. There was a large field and the Duke - known familiarly as Rufus - could not make up his mind what to back.
'Have a bit on mine, Your Grace,' suggested Mr Thirlwell. 'He'll start at a big price and my boy Dan is riding him for the first time..'
'Have a bit on mine, Your Grace,' suggested Mr Thirlwell. 'He'll start at a big price and my boy Dan is riding him for the first time..'
The Duke took the tip and backed Dan's mount at 20-1. It won.
The Duke took the tip and backed Dan's mount at 20-1. It won.
In the next race, the Duke backed Dan again. Once more Dan won at 20-1.
In the next race, the Duke backed Dan again. Once more Dan won at 20-1.
The Duke had enjoyed two massive wins and, a few days later, young Dan received word that the Duke wished him to go to Lordship Farm at Newmarket where The Duke's horses were being trained, and ride gallops for him.
The Duke had enjoyed two massive wins and, a few days later, young Dan received word that the Duke wished him to go to Lordship Farm at Newmarket where The Duke's horses were being trained, and ride gallops for him.
It wasn't long before Lordship Farm became Dan's permanent home.
It wasn't long before Lordship Farm became Dan's permanent home.
Dick Marsh, at that time - after being a prominent jump-jockey himself (he had won the first Grand Paris Hurdle Race on Jackal) - had some thirty jumpers under his charge. What with riding these, and others trained by Joe Cannon and James Jewett, as well as Flat horses alongside such as Fred Archer and John Watts, young Dan soon developed into one of the best gentlemen riders of the day.
Dick Marsh, at that time - after being a prominent jump-jockey himself (he had won the first Grand Paris Hurdle Race on Jackal) - had some thirty jumpers under his charge. What with riding these, and others trained by Joe Cannon and James Jewett, as well as Flat horses alongside such as Fred Archer and John Watts, young Dan soon developed into one of the best gentlemen riders of the day.
He rode four winners at Croydon on March 5, 1884 (including a walk-over).
He rode four winners at Croydon on March 5, 1884 (including a walk-over).
Dan had started steeplechase riding at the age of 17. His first masters were Viscount Folkestone, his father and John Nightingall, whose sons, Arthur and Willie, were then still at school.
Dan had started steeplechase riding at the age of 17. His first masters were Viscount Folkestone, his father and John Nightingall, whose sons, Arthur and Willie, were then still at school.
Dan found Old John Nightingall a curious fellow to ride for. On legging Dan up into the saddle, he would impress on his jockey - so that everyone could hear - that the horse he was riding had 'no earthly chance' and that Dan was only riding it to get some practice. Just before releasing the reins on the course, he gave Dan his final orders. John would whisper 'Don't win too far!' Whenever he used these words, Dan knew he was on a sure-fire winner.
Dan found Old John Nightingall a curious fellow to ride for. On legging Dan up into the saddle, he would impress on his jockey - so that everyone could hear - that the horse he was riding had 'no earthly chance' and that Dan was only riding it to get some practice. Just before releasing the reins on the course, he gave Dan his final orders. John would whisper 'Don't win too far!' Whenever he used these words, Dan knew he was on a sure-fire winner.
While at Lordship Farm, Dan once took part in a midnight trial for the Grand National. Dick Marsh had two in the big race and was most anxious to know which was the better of the pair. As the owner did not want them publicly galloped, it was decided to try them at night.
While at Lordship Farm, Dan once took part in a midnight trial for the Grand National. Dick Marsh had two in the big race and was most anxious to know which was the better of the pair. As the owner did not want them publicly galloped, it was decided to try them at night.
Robert I'Anson was asked to come over and stay, and, on the first fine moonlit night, the three chasers were tried inside the belt of trees surrounding Egerton House.
Robert I'Anson was asked to come over and stay, and, on the first fine moonlit night, the three chasers were tried inside the belt of trees surrounding Egerton House.
At 1.30, the horses lined up: Eau de Vie (I'Anson), Attolacca (Dick Marsh) & The Captain (Dan Thirlwell). Dam made the running for three and a half miles before Dick and Bob fought out a tremendous finish. Bob won by a neck,.
At 1.30, the horses lined up: Eau de Vie (I'Anson), Attolacca (Dick Marsh) & The Captain (Dan Thirlwell). Dam made the running for three and a half miles before Dick and Bob fought out a tremendous finish. Bob won by a neck,.
On Eau de Vie, Dan won 14 races of all sorts, including two races at Auteuil: he also won the big chase at Baden-Baden.
On Eau de Vie, Dan won 14 races of all sorts, including two races at Auteuil: he also won the big chase at Baden-Baden.
On The Captain, which never fell, Dan won 15 mixed races, and 16 on The Sinner, which Dan proclaimed to be the best he'd ridden.
On The Captain, which never fell, Dan won 15 mixed races, and 16 on The Sinner, which Dan proclaimed to be the best he'd ridden.
Other prolific winners for Dan included Scots Guard, Thornfield, Frigate, Bolero, Mark Anthony, The Bear, Friday, Sherbrook, Zeus, Rigoletto and Ringlet.
Other prolific winners for Dan included Scots Guard, Thornfield, Frigate, Bolero, Mark Anthony, The Bear, Friday, Sherbrook, Zeus, Rigoletto and Ringlet.
He rode the four-year-old Terrier in the Grand National of 1884; the pair got round safely.
He rode the four-year-old Terrier in the Grand National of 1884; the pair got round safely.
One of his greatest Continental successes was when he won the big hurdle race at Paris-Auteuil on the Duke of Hamilton's Jannock, beating Mr George Lambton a neck. The Duke, who was very popular in France, had backed his horse at 50-1 and won about £20,000 on the race. The excited French racegoers cheered and clapped Dan, then carried him on their shoulders to the dressing room after he had weighed in.
One of his greatest Continental successes was when he won the big hurdle race at Paris-Auteuil on the Duke of Hamilton's Jannock, beating Mr George Lambton a neck. The Duke, who was very popular in France, had backed his horse at 50-1 and won about £20,000 on the race. The excited French racegoers cheered and clapped Dan, then carried him on their shoulders to the dressing room after he had weighed in.
Dan once rode fourteen successive winners and, during his career, over 300 in all.
Dan once rode fourteen successive winners and, during his career, over 300 in all.
During Dick Marsh's illness in 1895, Dan took over the training at Egerton House.
During Dick Marsh's illness in 1895, Dan took over the training at Egerton House.
He ceased riding as soon as he got married and lived out his life as a (very rich) country gentleman on the south coast.
He ceased riding as soon as he got married and lived out his life as a (very rich) country gentleman on the south coast.
Dan Thirlwell died at Worthing on August 31 1935, aged 75.
Dan Thirlwell died at Worthing on August 31 1935, aged 75.
Big races he won included:
Big races he won included:
Prince of Wales Chase: (twice) Eau de Vie (1884) & The Captain (1885)
Prince of Wales Chase: (twice) Eau de Vie (1884) & The Captain (1885)
Liverpool Hurdle: Zeus (1884)
Liverpool Hurdle: Zeus (1884)
Grand National Hurdle: Fenelon (1885)
Grand National Hurdle: Fenelon (1885)
Grand International Hurdle: Boldero (1885)
Grand International Hurdle: Boldero (1885)
Old Baden Hunt Chase (Germany): The Captain (1885)
Old Baden Hunt Chase (Germany): The Captain (1885)
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