Tim Threlfell

1886 - 1941

Born at Martley, Worcestershire, on March 13, 1886, and apprenticed to George Lambton, Albert Tudor Threlfell – always known as ‘Tim’ – rode both on the Flat and over jumps, including a spell riding in Belgium.

He won a total of 137 races under National Hunt rules in Britain, the first of which was achieved on Obtruder in the Friday Selling Hurdle at Haydock Park on January 7, 1910.

On Saturday, March 13, 1915, Tim recorded a hat-trick on the last ever day’s racing at Picton, winning the first three races on the card: the Worsall Selling Handicap Chase on Bay Fox, the Yarm Maiden Hurdle on Sedge Warbler, and the Crathorne Maiden Chase on Melgrio.

After the First World War he rode as first jockey to Knaresborough-based trainer Robert Robson. However, it was for Aubrey Hastings that he achieved his greatest triumph, when winning the ‘Victory’ Scottish Grand National at Bogside on 6-1 chance Turk II.

Tim enjoyed his most successful year in 1920 with a score of 20 wins over jumps.

He took out a trainer’s licence in 1925 and began winding down his riding career. He rode his last winner on 4-1 chance Teviot, who scraped home by a neck in the Devil’s Water Selling Hurdle at Hexham on April 28, 1926. He rode for the final time at Birmingham on January 10, 1927, when falling on Corolet in the Stechford Selling Hurdle.

He trained a small string during the 1930s, based at Malton, Yorkshire. His winners included Mingled, one of the first winners ridden by his amateur rider son Douglas when landing a Wetherby handicap hurdle on October 25, 1935. Douglas went on to turn professional in May 1937.

Tim Threlfell died at the Royal Oak Hotel, Norton, on May 26, 1941, aged 55. He left £1,526.