Arthur Wilkins
National Hunt jockey Arthur Henry Wilkins was not a frequent visitor to the winner’s enclosure. It took him all of 28 years to accumulate a total of 27 winners, although he lost part of his career to the ravages of the First World War.
National Hunt jockey Arthur Henry Wilkins was not a frequent visitor to the winner’s enclosure. It took him all of 28 years to accumulate a total of 27 winners, although he lost part of his career to the ravages of the First World War.
Arthur rode his first winner on 5-1 chance Pilotell, getting home by a neck in the Apley Selling Chase at Wolverhampton on April 18, 1892.
Arthur rode his first winner on 5-1 chance Pilotell, getting home by a neck in the Apley Selling Chase at Wolverhampton on April 18, 1892.
A career highlight was his only ride in the Grand National, in 1903 on 100-1 shot Gillie II, who was among the fallers.
A career highlight was his only ride in the Grand National, in 1903 on 100-1 shot Gillie II, who was among the fallers.
His best annual total was four winners in 1907. They included wins on successive days at Gatwick’s two-day meeting in January aboard Avenue in the Maiden Hurdle and Chessington in the Cotland Selling Handicap Chase. Another that year was Countenance in the Stewards’ Handicap Chase at the annual Moreton-in-Marsh fixture in April.
His best annual total was four winners in 1907. They included wins on successive days at Gatwick’s two-day meeting in January aboard Avenue in the Maiden Hurdle and Chessington in the Cotland Selling Handicap Chase. Another that year was Countenance in the Stewards’ Handicap Chase at the annual Moreton-in-Marsh fixture in April.
Resuming after the Great War, Arthur went on to ride his last winner on 5-2 chance Flurry in match for the Greenmeadow Handicap Hurdle at Cardiff on April 6, 1920, beating their sole opponent, the odds-on favourite Dorimont, the mount of Ivor Anthony, by 12 lengths.
Resuming after the Great War, Arthur went on to ride his last winner on 5-2 chance Flurry in match for the Greenmeadow Handicap Hurdle at Cardiff on April 6, 1920, beating their sole opponent, the odds-on favourite Dorimont, the mount of Ivor Anthony, by 12 lengths.
Two weeks later, April 14, 1920, Arthur rode Flurry in the Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham, finishing sixth. That proved to be his final mount, bringing to an end a career that had provided limited success but had at least allowed him the chance to ride in a Grand National.
Two weeks later, April 14, 1920, Arthur rode Flurry in the Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham, finishing sixth. That proved to be his final mount, bringing to an end a career that had provided limited success but had at least allowed him the chance to ride in a Grand National.