TURF FATALITY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1180, 1 December 1924, Page 5

TURF FATALITY

A. J. McFLINN KILLED. THREE HORSES FALL AT TAKAPUNA. Quite a gloom was cast over the gathering at Takapuna on Saturday . afternoon, when it became known that, Mr A. J. McFlinn, one of the most popular jockeys in the Auckland district, had died at the Auckland Hospital following upon injuries received during the running of the Melrose Handicap, the opening event at the Takapuna meeting (says the Star). During the running of the race, Herculean, ridden by W. Bryce, Golden Sovereign (J. Dombroski) and Passionate (McFlinn) fell when the houses were about two furlongs from home. It was at once seen that liryee and .McFlinn were injured, the latter seriously. They were taken to the casualty room, medically examined and afterwards sent to the Auckland Hospital in St. John Ambulance. Bryce, who had suffered injuries to his shoulder, was treated in the casualty ward of the institution and then sent home. McFlinn’s ease was at once recognised ns very serious and it was decided to operate right away. He was found to be. - suffering from a fractured pelvis, and death took place before any operation could be attempted. The deceased jockey, who resided at Green Lane, v.a; 39 years of age, and leaves a widow and three children. Much sympathy i\ ill be felt for the bereaved family. Mr McFlinn was born at Thames;, where lie entered into farm life. He rode in several picnic race meetings when about 17 years of age. He was about 21 when he joined the stables of Mr S. Walker, at- Te Aroha. Eventually he came to Auckland and joined Mr W. Sharpies’ stables at Ellorslic for whom, and others he has ridden many- winners. His ability as a horseman was soon recognised, and after joining up with Mr J. Williamson’s stable for which he was first horseman, he rode many winners. He also travelled widely and rode many prominent winners throughout New Zealand, ineludinsr Amythas, and Desert Gold, lie also rode for a short period over hurdles, steering Cynic in the Great Northern Hurdles and Tim Dcolan to victory in the Grand National Steeplechase. The funeral took place at Auckland yesterday. MR J. E. IIENRYS’ TRIBUTE. DECEASED’S FINE CHARACTER. A very fine tribute to the late Mr MeFlinn was paid by Mr J E. Henrys, the well-known handieapper, in conversation with a “Standard” representative to-day. “He was a devoted husband, a kind father who loved his home and valued his character more than gold. Probably the greatest tribute that could be paid to any jockey was always paid to deceased of whom it was said; ‘Back McFlinn and you will always be on a trier.’ “He was one of the very best horsemen we have ever had and was truly a versatile jockey, being successful not only an the flat but in steeplechases and hurdle events a.s well. He piloted that great champion Amvthas in nearly all his victories und Tim Dooluu in the Grand National Steeplechase in 1914. “1 have no hesitation in saving that the purity of the turf, which is entirely in the hands of the jockeys, would be assured if our present-day riders would only follow the noble and honourable example of honesty practised by deceased.”