Arthur Wragg
1911 - 1953
1911 - 1953
Born in Sheffield on July 12, 1911, Arthur Wragg was the youngest of three jockey brothers, the others being Harry and Sam.
Born in Sheffield on July 12, 1911, Arthur Wragg was the youngest of three jockey brothers, the others being Harry and Sam.
Following in their footsteps he became apprenticed to Stanley Wootton, and had his first ride in public on Autocrat (unplaced) 1927 Lincolnshire Handicap.
Following in their footsteps he became apprenticed to Stanley Wootton, and had his first ride in public on Autocrat (unplaced) 1927 Lincolnshire Handicap.
He rode his first winner just six days later on Burning Thoughts in the Apprentices’ Stakes at Warwick on March 29, 1927. The following year, he was badly injured in a fall from Silver Sue in the Queen’s Birthday Handicap at Windsor on May 26, suffering fractured ribs and internal injuries.
He rode his first winner just six days later on Burning Thoughts in the Apprentices’ Stakes at Warwick on March 29, 1927. The following year, he was badly injured in a fall from Silver Sue in the Queen’s Birthday Handicap at Windsor on May 26, suffering fractured ribs and internal injuries.
He was out of action until the start of the 1929 season but came back with a flourish by winning the Tathwell Auction Plate on Lillywhite at Lincoln on the opening day of the Flat. He completed his apprenticeship in August of that year but continued to ride for Stanley Wootton.
He was out of action until the start of the 1929 season but came back with a flourish by winning the Tathwell Auction Plate on Lillywhite at Lincoln on the opening day of the Flat. He completed his apprenticeship in August of that year but continued to ride for Stanley Wootton.
Having been retained by Bob Colling and the Hon. George Lambton in 1932, he went on to enjoy his two most successful seasons, riding 45 winners in 1932 and achieving a career best score of 46 in 1933, but increasing weight was starting to become a problem, though he continued to ride throughout the next three seasons.
Having been retained by Bob Colling and the Hon. George Lambton in 1932, he went on to enjoy his two most successful seasons, riding 45 winners in 1932 and achieving a career best score of 46 in 1933, but increasing weight was starting to become a problem, though he continued to ride throughout the next three seasons.
In the Rufford Abbey High-weight Handicap at Nottingham on March 26, 1943, Arthur famously beat his two brothers in a finish of the Wraggs. Arthur won on Tetraset, beating Sam on Biretta by a length and a half, with Harry half a length further back in third place on Hillsbrow.
In the Rufford Abbey High-weight Handicap at Nottingham on March 26, 1943, Arthur famously beat his two brothers in a finish of the Wraggs. Arthur won on Tetraset, beating Sam on Biretta by a length and a half, with Harry half a length further back in third place on Hillsbrow.
Arthur married Phyllis Georgina Wood at the beginning of 1936. At Epsom on Oaks day that year, he finished third on Holyrood in the Chipstead Handicap. The Stewards enquired into the running of the horse and, not being satisfied with the explanation, the reported him to the Stewards of the Jockey Club, who withdrew his licence. It was not restored until 1940.
Arthur married Phyllis Georgina Wood at the beginning of 1936. At Epsom on Oaks day that year, he finished third on Holyrood in the Chipstead Handicap. The Stewards enquired into the running of the horse and, not being satisfied with the explanation, the reported him to the Stewards of the Jockey Club, who withdrew his licence. It was not restored until 1940.
In 1944 he became associated with Sir Hugo Cunliffe-Owen’s good colt Rockefella, trained by Ossie Bell winning on him twice at Windsor. He won three times on another of Bell’s horses, Abbots Fell, culminating in the Leger Trial Stakes at Windsor. He also won the Dewhurst Stakes on the Frank Butters-trained Paper Weight, ending the season sixth in the list of winning jockeys with 27 wins.
In 1944 he became associated with Sir Hugo Cunliffe-Owen’s good colt Rockefella, trained by Ossie Bell winning on him twice at Windsor. He won three times on another of Bell’s horses, Abbots Fell, culminating in the Leger Trial Stakes at Windsor. He also won the Dewhurst Stakes on the Frank Butters-trained Paper Weight, ending the season sixth in the list of winning jockeys with 27 wins.
In 1945 and 1946 he rode many more winners, including Fair Prospect and Golden Hackle, trained by Ossie Bell for Dorothy Paget. However, he was unable to ride at all during 1947 and 1948 as his health worsened. He spent considerable time in Switzerland in an attempt to improve his well-being.
In 1945 and 1946 he rode many more winners, including Fair Prospect and Golden Hackle, trained by Ossie Bell for Dorothy Paget. However, he was unable to ride at all during 1947 and 1948 as his health worsened. He spent considerable time in Switzerland in an attempt to improve his well-being.
Feeling that recovery was on the way, he renewed his licence in 1949 and rode 13 winners that year. However, he was forced to give up riding the next year, bowing out with a winner on his final ride, Damremont, for Lambourn trainer Tom Rimell, in the Diomed Handicap at Epsom on August 5, 1950.
Feeling that recovery was on the way, he renewed his licence in 1949 and rode 13 winners that year. However, he was forced to give up riding the next year, bowing out with a winner on his final ride, Damremont, for Lambourn trainer Tom Rimell, in the Diomed Handicap at Epsom on August 5, 1950.
Arthur Wragg died of TB at Lambourn on Thursday, March 12, in 1953, aged 41. He left £5,941.
Arthur Wragg died of TB at Lambourn on Thursday, March 12, in 1953, aged 41. He left £5,941.
His biggest wins were:
His biggest wins were:
1927: Portland Handicap – Mayrian
1927: Portland Handicap – Mayrian
1931: Great Jubilee Handicap – Racedale
1931: Great Jubilee Handicap – Racedale
1944: Dewhurst Stakes – Paper Weight
1944: Dewhurst Stakes – Paper Weight
1946: Cornwallis Stakes – Golden Hackle
1946: Cornwallis Stakes – Golden Hackle
1950: New (Norfolk) Stakes - Bay Meadows
1950: New (Norfolk) Stakes - Bay Meadows
