MR J. WHITWORTH’S DEATH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23517, 3 June 1938, Page 22

MR J. WHITWORTH’S DEATH

OWNER OF ARTILLERIE Mr John Whitworth, who had a long association with racing in Australia and New Zealand, died at his residence, the Hotel Randwick, Sydney, last week. He was 65 years of age. In his younger racing days, Mr Whitworth raced under the assumed name of “J. Thane ” in New Zealand, and was known as a dashing punter. When his horse Black Reynard, ridden by George Price, won a Flying Handicap at Wanganui in March, 1906, thousands of pounds were won from the starting-price bookmakers in every big town in New Zealand. At the time, Mr Whitworth was licensee of the Pier Hotel in New Zealand, and, when he disposed of his interests a few years later, he came to Australia with a good mare, Artillerie, who was trained by J. W. Lowe. When Lowe returned to New Zealand, Mr Whitworth carried on the training of Artillerie himself, and subsequently became a public trainer at\ Randwick. Artillerie was entered for the Caulfield Cup in 1909, and was coupled with Prince Foote (Melbourne Cup) to win £ 70,000. Prince Foote fulfilled his part of the contract, but Artillerie, after a hand-

some win in the Caulfield Stakes, finished a close sixth in the Caulfield Cup, for which she was favourite.

The late A. A. Oliver, who rode her, declared that she would have won but for instructions binding him to keep to the rails. A year later Artillerie again won the Caulfield Stakes, and again failed to gain a place in the Cup. During his period as Randwick trainer, Mr Whitworth owned the historic property of Greenstead, Alison road, later sold to become the site of the Marist Brothers’ College. His patrons included “Mr Constable,” Mr E. J. Watt, Mr Hunter White, and the late Mr A. M. Cooley. About ten years ago he retired from racing, and became licensee of the hotel at Bargo. After a brief stay there he returned to Randwick, and became proprietor of the A. J. C. Hotel, the name of which was altered to the Hotel Randwick. He had been seriously ill for some months. Mrs Whitworth and three daughters survive him.