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Arthur Watts enjoyed two highly successful seasons in the early 1890s, his wins including the Ascot Stakes.
Arthur Watts enjoyed two highly successful seasons in the early 1890s, his wins including the Ascot Stakes.
He gained his first victory of his career on Shirley, owned and trained by Alfred Sadler, in the Harbour Selling Plate at Yarmouth on 25 July 1889. He failed to ride a winner in 1890 but broke through with a vengeance the following year, riding 21 winners including the Beaufort Handicap at Kempton on Greywell, and the Imperial Handicap Plate at Hurst Park on Heremon. He finished third in that year’s Cambridgeshire on Derelict, beaten half a length and three-quarters of a length.
He gained his first victory of his career on Shirley, owned and trained by Alfred Sadler, in the Harbour Selling Plate at Yarmouth on 25 July 1889. He failed to ride a winner in 1890 but broke through with a vengeance the following year, riding 21 winners including the Beaufort Handicap at Kempton on Greywell, and the Imperial Handicap Plate at Hurst Park on Heremon. He finished third in that year’s Cambridgeshire on Derelict, beaten half a length and three-quarters of a length.
In 1892, Arthur rode 18 winners from 264 mounts, the best of which was the chestnut filly Billow in the Ascot Stakes on 14 June. In winning, ex-hurdler Billow cleverly defeated some smart opponents, notably the 5/2 favourite Harfleur who finished second, the third-placed Metallic, well-fancied fourth-placed St. Benedict, and Manchester Cup winner Balmoral.
In 1892, Arthur rode 18 winners from 264 mounts, the best of which was the chestnut filly Billow in the Ascot Stakes on 14 June. In winning, ex-hurdler Billow cleverly defeated some smart opponents, notably the 5/2 favourite Harfleur who finished second, the third-placed Metallic, well-fancied fourth-placed St. Benedict, and Manchester Cup winner Balmoral.
Harfleur’s jockey, Richard Challoner, later came in for heavy criticism after the race as many thought he had come far too late and should have won.
Harfleur’s jockey, Richard Challoner, later came in for heavy criticism after the race as many thought he had come far too late and should have won.
Despite the great ride given to Billow by Arthur Watts, Mornington Cannon rode the horse in his remaining races that season.
Despite the great ride given to Billow by Arthur Watts, Mornington Cannon rode the horse in his remaining races that season.
Arthur’s tally of winners dropped significantly thereafter, scoring just twice in 1893. He finished third on Marcion in that year’s Lincolnshire Handicap.
Arthur’s tally of winners dropped significantly thereafter, scoring just twice in 1893. He finished third on Marcion in that year’s Lincolnshire Handicap.
There was a marginal improvement in 1894 with six wins. However, he was down to three in 1895, the last of which was on Castano in the Deerhurst Selling Nursery Handicap at Worcester on 25 October.
There was a marginal improvement in 1894 with six wins. However, he was down to three in 1895, the last of which was on Castano in the Deerhurst Selling Nursery Handicap at Worcester on 25 October.
That proved to be the final victory of Arthur Watts’ career. He had ridden a total of 53 winners, enjoying his greatest success in that 1892 Ascot Stakes.
That proved to be the final victory of Arthur Watts’ career. He had ridden a total of 53 winners, enjoying his greatest success in that 1892 Ascot Stakes.
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