Arthur Coventry (1852-1925) 1884 Jockey Watercolour
$1,200
Art Sz: 9 3/4"H x 6"W
Frame Sz: 16"H x 12 1/2"W
Youngest son of the Honourable Henry Coventry, Arthur was born at Melton Mowbray on December 7, 1852.
He was an exceptionally fine gentleman rider who donned silks for the first time at Croxton Park in the spring of 1874.He won his first flat race a little later at Worcester riding The Baby, by which name the jockey was to be familiarly known throughout his career.
Such were his skills that he was greatly in demand by all owners of horses who intended to win. Fred Archer once said that there was no jockey living who could give Mr Coventry 5 pounds. Arthur was equally effective over the jumps, winning the 1879 National Hunt Steeplechase on Bellringer though he was unable to emulate his elder brother Henry who won the 1865 Grand National on the French-bred Alcibiade.
Arthur rode Jolly Sir John in the National of 1883. A flood of money from its connections and from the general public saw the horse start at 8/1, but hope was short-lived as Jolly Sir John fell at the second.