Arthur Yates
Arthur Yates in 1895
Arthur Yates in 1895
Born in Westminster on 14 April 1841, Arthur Scotland Yates was champion jump jockey at least four times – records were not so reliable in those days – and rode over 450 winners before turning to training and owning racehorses. He lived at The Ruins, Bishop's Sutton, Hants.
Born in Westminster on 14 April 1841, Arthur Scotland Yates was champion jump jockey at least four times – records were not so reliable in those days – and rode over 450 winners before turning to training and owning racehorses. He lived at The Ruins, Bishop's Sutton, Hants.
It was during the 1860s and 1870s that he made his name and, riding his own horse Harvester, was unlucky not to win the 1872 Grand National when landing awkwardly at the second last and going lame.
It was during the 1860s and 1870s that he made his name and, riding his own horse Harvester, was unlucky not to win the 1872 Grand National when landing awkwardly at the second last and going lame.
He rode Harvester to win the Great Metropolitan Steeplechase on the old Croydon racecourse in 1871 and considered that horse to be the best he'd owned and ridden.
He rode Harvester to win the Great Metropolitan Steeplechase on the old Croydon racecourse in 1871 and considered that horse to be the best he'd owned and ridden.
Also at Croydon, he famously won the Croydon Cup on Harold after falling at the water jump by catching hold of his horse’s tail and leaping back into the saddle over the horse’s quarters.
Also at Croydon, he famously won the Croydon Cup on Harold after falling at the water jump by catching hold of his horse’s tail and leaping back into the saddle over the horse’s quarters.
His other big race successes included:
His other big race successes included:
Scottish Grand National on Cinna (1872).
Scottish Grand National on Cinna (1872).
Bristol Hurdle (twice) on Chamoisie (1873) and Palm (1874).
Bristol Hurdle (twice) on Chamoisie (1873) and Palm (1874).
Derby Chase (Aintree) on Chamoisie (1873)
Derby Chase (Aintree) on Chamoisie (1873)
He rode five winners at Streatham on March 14, 1872.
He rode five winners at Streatham on March 14, 1872.
Arthur Yates' four Grand National rides were:
Arthur Yates' four Grand National rides were:
Q.C. (1870) 7th
Q.C. (1870) 7th
Harvester (1872) pulled up
Harvester (1872) pulled up
Crawler (1873) fell
Crawler (1873) fell
Furley (1874) pulled up
Furley (1874) pulled up
His days as a Grand National trainer started disastrously when, in 1862, Playman fell, fatally crushing its young jockey, Joseph Wynne.
His days as a Grand National trainer started disastrously when, in 1862, Playman fell, fatally crushing its young jockey, Joseph Wynne.
However, happier times lay ahead: he trained Roquefort to win the race in 1885; then in 1893, his Cloister set a new course record when becoming the first horse to successfully carry the maximum 12st 7lb. (The licence for both Arthur’s Grand National winners was officially held by John Swatton.)
However, happier times lay ahead: he trained Roquefort to win the race in 1885; then in 1893, his Cloister set a new course record when becoming the first horse to successfully carry the maximum 12st 7lb. (The licence for both Arthur’s Grand National winners was officially held by John Swatton.)
As a trainer, he sent out more than 3,000 winners.
As a trainer, he sent out more than 3,000 winners.
He died at Bishop's Sutton, aged 81, on May 20, 1922 and left estate worth £12,911. He left £100 to his servant, Mrs Ellen Grant, and £10 to each other servant.
He died at Bishop's Sutton, aged 81, on May 20, 1922 and left estate worth £12,911. He left £100 to his servant, Mrs Ellen Grant, and £10 to each other servant.
