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Arthur Watkins
Arthur Watkins
1842-1875
1842-1875
Born in Lambeth on December 22, 1842, Arthur Watkins achieved his greatest success on Palestro in the 1861 Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket.
Born in Lambeth on December 22, 1842, Arthur Watkins achieved his greatest success on Palestro in the 1861 Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket.
That 1861 Cambridgeshire was run on the Tuesday of Newmarket’s Houghton Meeting (October 29) and brought great joy to Count Frédéric de Lagrange, who owned both Palestro (100-6), and the runner-up, Gabrielle d’Estrees.
That 1861 Cambridgeshire was run on the Tuesday of Newmarket’s Houghton Meeting (October 29) and brought great joy to Count Frédéric de Lagrange, who owned both Palestro (100-6), and the runner-up, Gabrielle d’Estrees.
There was a field of 35, a number which had, up to then, only been exceeded three times, namely in 1847, 1853 and 1858 when the figures were respectively 37, 39 and 36.
There was a field of 35, a number which had, up to then, only been exceeded three times, namely in 1847, 1853 and 1858 when the figures were respectively 37, 39 and 36.
Arthur Watkins wore a white cap to distinguish him from the rider of Gabrielle d’Estrees and he “set Palestro going with a rush and, amid vociferous cheers, landed him the winner by a neck”. Palestro was one of just four winners that Arthur rode that season.
Arthur Watkins wore a white cap to distinguish him from the rider of Gabrielle d’Estrees and he “set Palestro going with a rush and, amid vociferous cheers, landed him the winner by a neck”. Palestro was one of just four winners that Arthur rode that season.
Count Frédéric de Lagrange (1816-1883) was the only son of one of Napoleon’s generals, and the success of Palestro was merely a precursor to far greater triumphs that lay ahead. He gained a first Classic success when his filly Fille de l’Air won the 1864 Oaks. The following year, Gladiateur, trained, like Fille de l’Air, by Tom Jennings at Newmarket, earned the epithet the ‘Avenger of Waterloo’ by winning the Triple Crown.
Count Frédéric de Lagrange (1816-1883) was the only son of one of Napoleon’s generals, and the success of Palestro was merely a precursor to far greater triumphs that lay ahead. He gained a first Classic success when his filly Fille de l’Air won the 1864 Oaks. The following year, Gladiateur, trained, like Fille de l’Air, by Tom Jennings at Newmarket, earned the epithet the ‘Avenger of Waterloo’ by winning the Triple Crown.
Arthur Watkins went on to ride abroad but, sadly, was unable to build on his success aboard Palestro. He died young in Dieppe on August 25, 1875, aged 32.
Arthur Watkins went on to ride abroad but, sadly, was unable to build on his success aboard Palestro. He died young in Dieppe on August 25, 1875, aged 32.
This was a particularly bad period for the demise of jockeys.
This was a particularly bad period for the demise of jockeys.
On April 22, 1875, apprentice Joe Wass lost his life in a fall from Dudiham at Epsom. A day later, Captain Hardinge Browne was killed instantly after accidentally stepping in front of an express train at Sandown Railway Station having ridden earlier at the track. Exactly a month later, Tommy Ashmall, rider of The Wizard and The Marquis in the Two Thousand Guineas and once considered one of the most handsome jockeys riding in his earlier day, died on May 22. Tom Nicholson, who won the St Leger on Antonio, died at Malton on June 13 whilst professional Irish jockey Michael Murphy died suddenly on October 26, 1875.
On April 22, 1875, apprentice Joe Wass lost his life in a fall from Dudiham at Epsom. A day later, Captain Hardinge Browne was killed instantly after accidentally stepping in front of an express train at Sandown Railway Station having ridden earlier at the track. Exactly a month later, Tommy Ashmall, rider of The Wizard and The Marquis in the Two Thousand Guineas and once considered one of the most handsome jockeys riding in his earlier day, died on May 22. Tom Nicholson, who won the St Leger on Antonio, died at Malton on June 13 whilst professional Irish jockey Michael Murphy died suddenly on October 26, 1875.
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