Felix Walther
Felix Walther
Felix Walther
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Felix Walther was born in Saxony, Germany in 1867 and first rode in Britain in 1900. In England, he lived at Bishop's Cleeve, Cheltenham. He married in 1895.
Felix Walther was born in Saxony, Germany in 1867 and first rode in Britain in 1900. In England, he lived at Bishop's Cleeve, Cheltenham. He married in 1895.
He was unsuccessful on the Flat and lost his first victory over jumps in the stewards’ room but fared rather better in 1903 with four wins.
He was unsuccessful on the Flat and lost his first victory over jumps in the stewards’ room but fared rather better in 1903 with four wins.
It was under National Hunt rules that he had his first ride when Kayte was one of four horses to run out in an eventful Frome Maiden Hurdle at Bromyard on September 3, 1900. That left the only other runner, Little Bee, clear to win unchallenged. One of the quartet that ran out, Ethelred, was taken back and eventually completed the course to claim second place.
It was under National Hunt rules that he had his first ride when Kayte was one of four horses to run out in an eventful Frome Maiden Hurdle at Bromyard on September 3, 1900. That left the only other runner, Little Bee, clear to win unchallenged. One of the quartet that ran out, Ethelred, was taken back and eventually completed the course to claim second place.
His first effort on the Flat ended in an ‘also ran’ position, as Janty was well beaten in the Visitors’ Selling Plate at Worcester on October 23, 1902.
His first effort on the Flat ended in an ‘also ran’ position, as Janty was well beaten in the Visitors’ Selling Plate at Worcester on October 23, 1902.
Thirteen days later, Felix passed the post first on Girdle at the end of the Three Years Old Hurdle at Cardiff, but an objection was made on the grounds that Girdle did not jump the last flight of hurdles. This was sustained, with Frank Barber’s mount Felstead being promoted to first place.
Thirteen days later, Felix passed the post first on Girdle at the end of the Three Years Old Hurdle at Cardiff, but an objection was made on the grounds that Girdle did not jump the last flight of hurdles. This was sustained, with Frank Barber’s mount Felstead being promoted to first place.
Mr Gilbert, Girdle’s owner, continued to use Felix and that faith was rewarded when Ffarewell won the Silverdale Chase at Keele Park on February 19, 1903. The six-year-old was regularly ridden by Felix and led all the way to score by eight lengths.
Mr Gilbert, Girdle’s owner, continued to use Felix and that faith was rewarded when Ffarewell won the Silverdale Chase at Keele Park on February 19, 1903. The six-year-old was regularly ridden by Felix and led all the way to score by eight lengths.
The stewards were again unhappy when Felix had his second win at Birmingham five days later, when Merry Monk II narrowly beat Algy Anthony on Bushford Lass to land the Warwickshire Chase, but this time they were dissatisfied with the riding of Henry Brown, who had finished third on Fairland. They reprimanded him and “cautioned him as to his riding in future”.
The stewards were again unhappy when Felix had his second win at Birmingham five days later, when Merry Monk II narrowly beat Algy Anthony on Bushford Lass to land the Warwickshire Chase, but this time they were dissatisfied with the riding of Henry Brown, who had finished third on Fairland. They reprimanded him and “cautioned him as to his riding in future”.
After his problems at Cardiff in 1902, Felix enjoyed a much happier experience at the course when Prying Eyes was successful in the St. Nicholas Novices’ Hurdle on Easter Monday, April 13, and the same combination returned there on Whit Monday, June 1, to land the Llandaff Chase. Runner-up was again Frank Barber, beaten a short head on Torpedo, but this time Felix kept the race.
After his problems at Cardiff in 1902, Felix enjoyed a much happier experience at the course when Prying Eyes was successful in the St. Nicholas Novices’ Hurdle on Easter Monday, April 13, and the same combination returned there on Whit Monday, June 1, to land the Llandaff Chase. Runner-up was again Frank Barber, beaten a short head on Torpedo, but this time Felix kept the race.
He stayed for three more seasons but had no further success, his last ride coming at Hereford on Easter Monday, April 16, 1906, when Captain Gough was unplaced in the Abbeydore Hurdle.
He stayed for three more seasons but had no further success, his last ride coming at Hereford on Easter Monday, April 16, 1906, when Captain Gough was unplaced in the Abbeydore Hurdle.
Felix Walther’s British winners were, in chronological order:
Felix Walther’s British winners were, in chronological order:
1. Ffarwell, Keele Park, February 19, 1903
1. Ffarwell, Keele Park, February 19, 1903
2. Merry Monk II, Birmingham February 24, 1903
2. Merry Monk II, Birmingham February 24, 1903
3. Prying Eyes, Cardiff, April 13, 1904
3. Prying Eyes, Cardiff, April 13, 1904
4. Prying Eyes, Cardiff, June 1, 1904
4. Prying Eyes, Cardiff, June 1, 1904
Felix Walther's first ride: Kayte at Bromyard, September 3, 1900
Felix Walther's first winner was Ffarwell, Keele Park, February 19, 1903
On Tuesday, March 3, 1903, Felix suffered serious injuries when coming down at Ludlow