TAKAPUNA TRAGEDY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 2 December 1924, Page 7

TAKAPUNA TRAGEDY.

♦ DEATH OF A. J. McFLYNN. A WIDELY RESPECTED HORSEMAN.. (Bv “Carbine” in the N.Z. Times.) Ihe death of A. J. McFlynn through injuries received while riding at Takapiina on Saturday brings, home to- us all that the sport from which, so many of us derive pleasure takes its toll. McFlynn, who bailed .from the Thames, did not take up riding as a profession as early as most men. who become jockeys. For some time he follower! the calling of school teacher, and his boyhood days had passed before he abandoned it for the saddle. In his new venture ho did well, and of recent years?-.was regarded by those who knew him best as an independent man. Sad to> say where lie won fortune he lost his life. He was married, and his children are still very young. In tlieir grief the family will have the sympathy of the whole of the racing community. Earlier in his 'career as -a jockey McFlynn. devoted his. attention to. riding over hurdles and steeplechase fences, but more recently his measure of success was such that he abandoned the jumpers, for what he considered the safer side of his business. While a steeplechase rider he •woii tlie 1914 Grand National on Tim Doolan. Five years later he Avon the Great Northern Hurdles on Cynic. His victories on the iiat included the Great Northern Champagne Stakes on Humbug; the A;.R,.C. Welcome .Stakes on Queen March; the A.R.C. Easter on Silver Link; the G reat Northern Oaks on Matatane; the Great Northern St. Leger on Bonny Maid; the Avondale Cup on Alteration: the Canterbury Cup, the Trentham Gold Cup, and the Awapuni Gold Cup on Amythas; and the North Island Challenge Stakes on Silver Link. Speaking of McFlynn jjs one who knew- intimately, I can say that he was one of the straightest men connected with the turf. It- was because of his recognised honesty he was so widely respected. It would be incorrect to .say he was in the first flight of great horsemen, for lie was not. but lie was a rider who wa.s always in the pink of condition, and W’hose'integrity was undoubted.