LATE A. EASTWOOD,

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 296, 12 November 1934, Page 10

LATE A. EASTWOOD,

HOW HE BECAME A JOCKEY. Arthur Eastwood, whose death occurred at Christchurch last week as the result of an accident when race-riding at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting, was a brother of C. E. Eastwood, one of the Dominion’s most successful apprentices, and it was his success which caused the deceased horseman to take up the profession. Originally, he was in a solicitor’s office, but lost his position owing to travelling to Australia as coxswain to the New Zealand rowing eight that had a successful tour some nine years ago. On his return, ho decided to enter a racing stable, and an outstanding career began when he joined H. Nurse’s stable, first as a stable hand, and later as an apprentice. At the end of his term of apprenticeship, he took up freelance riding. In 1930, taking advantage of the slackness in lightweight riding during tho New Zealand winter, he accepted the position as coxswain to the New Zeuland eight which competed at tho British Empire Games at Hamilton, Ontario, and also at Toronto, at the Canadian National Exhibition. Eastwood was recognised on that trip as one of tho most proficient coxswains attached to any of the competing teams. As a horseman, Eastwood held a high position amongst the best New Zealand riders. He was fortunately not heavy, and-' never had to take means to keep down his poundage, and in consequence for a young man of his size he. was remarkably strong, and had hands and seat that would do credit to these of the world’s best. Once ho became firmly established as an accomplished horseman, he travelled to all parts of New Zealand, and very seldom attended a meeting without his full quota of mounts. Ho had a remarkable run of success in important events, and had the distinction of winning two New Zealand Cups, two Stewards’ Handicaps, New Zealand Derby, Now Zealand Oaks, Dunedin and Canterbury Cups, while he finished first in the Auckland Cup on Gay Crest, but lost the honour through interference with the second horse, Motere, nearing the most, and

the positions were reversed. On a subsequent trip to Ellerslie he missed the winning ride on Silver Scorn in the Great Northern Derby owing to being injured in a race on the opening day of tho meeting. In recent years Eastwood has had a special retainer to ride G. Murray-Aynsloy’s horses, and the happy association between the pair was one of the pleasant features on working mornings at Riccarton.