Arthur Nesbitt
Henry Arthur Nesbitt – he always used his second Christian name – was the son of Middleham trainer Steve Nesbitt. He began a seven-year apprenticeship with his father on leaving school in 1975.
Henry Arthur Nesbitt – he always used his second Christian name – was the son of Middleham trainer Steve Nesbitt. He began a seven-year apprenticeship with his father on leaving school in 1975.
However, Arthur’s first winner was for Darlington trainer John Vickers, aboard 20-1 shot Clois Du Roi in the Frank Wootton Handicap at Haydock Park on April 4, 1978. His second – his first for his father – came three weeks later on a three-year-old colt named Brendan (below) in a 0-60 handicap at Nottingham. He won two races on his father’s filly Madame Decoy, including the Bass Rosebowl Handicap at Redcar on August 5.
However, Arthur’s first winner was for Darlington trainer John Vickers, aboard 20-1 shot Clois Du Roi in the Frank Wootton Handicap at Haydock Park on April 4, 1978. His second – his first for his father – came three weeks later on a three-year-old colt named Brendan (below) in a 0-60 handicap at Nottingham. He won two races on his father’s filly Madame Decoy, including the Bass Rosebowl Handicap at Redcar on August 5.
He ended that season with a total of eight winners from 170 mounts.
He ended that season with a total of eight winners from 170 mounts.
He doubled his tally of winners to 16 from 238 mounts in 1979. They included three nurseries in a row on Karens Star for Wetherby trainer Tony Doyle, plus a round of the Crown Plus Two Apprenticeship Championship at Goodwood on the Russ Hobson-trained Thorganby.
He doubled his tally of winners to 16 from 238 mounts in 1979. They included three nurseries in a row on Karens Star for Wetherby trainer Tony Doyle, plus a round of the Crown Plus Two Apprenticeship Championship at Goodwood on the Russ Hobson-trained Thorganby.
A disappointing yield of just three wins from 269 rides was his fate in 1980. Karens Star was one of them, at Wolverhampton on May 20. However, in 1981 he equalled his career-best score of 16, this time from 187 mounts. They included the Eglinton and Winton Memorial Handicap at Ayr’s Western Meeting on Chris Thornton’s grey mare Wild Rosie on September 16. Wild Rosie also formed the first leg of a double, completed by the Neville Crump-trained Friendly Fun in the first two races at Haydock on Saturday, October 3.
A disappointing yield of just three wins from 269 rides was his fate in 1980. Karens Star was one of them, at Wolverhampton on May 20. However, in 1981 he equalled his career-best score of 16, this time from 187 mounts. They included the Eglinton and Winton Memorial Handicap at Ayr’s Western Meeting on Chris Thornton’s grey mare Wild Rosie on September 16. Wild Rosie also formed the first leg of a double, completed by the Neville Crump-trained Friendly Fun in the first two races at Haydock on Saturday, October 3.
Steve Nesbitt died on Friday evening, 22 January 1982. His widow Myra took over the licence. Arthur completed his apprenticeship the following year and struggled to make a mark thereafter. He held a professional jockey’s licence for one season in 1984 but had no luck. He renewed it in 1989 and rode for two more seasons but, again, without further success.
Steve Nesbitt died on Friday evening, 22 January 1982. His widow Myra took over the licence. Arthur completed his apprenticeship the following year and struggled to make a mark thereafter. He held a professional jockey’s licence for one season in 1984 but had no luck. He renewed it in 1989 and rode for two more seasons but, again, without further success.