Master of Racing; Maestro of Training

Mr Arthur Ward is reputed to have ridden more champions of the turf than all but a few of history’s most successful jockeys.
His superb sense of balance, sensitive hands and fine judgment of pace made him a favourite of owners and punters alike.

He is a famous and successful trainer too.

INTRODUCTION

1919-10-06, Arthur Ward was born.
He was the sixth of thirteen children.
Their home was in Waverley, the Sydney suburb near Randwick.
1933, in the depression year, he became apprenticed to Rosehill trainer Fred Adams.
He scored a winner in his second ride ever, over a 1000m sprint.

BACKGROUND

1956
His Melbourne Cup mount, REDCRAZE, was narrowly beaten.

1962
Before his final retirement from the saddle ,Mr Ward had won virtually every feature race on the Australian calendar.
At the height of his successful career, Arthur Ward’s reputation earned him favour with T.J Smith, who contracted him as a replacement for the suspended George Moore.
Ward’s great results in Moore’s absence prompted Smith to retain him even after Moore came back from suspension.
His time with the Australia – New Zealand legendary stallion TULLOCH was a short one, but he won six races and the pair was runners up three times.
He also spent three years in Singapore where he won 250 races and was twice leading jockey.

1963
As a trainer, he won an Epsom Handicap and Sydney Cup.

1977
Along with Cliff Robertson, Gordon Smyth and Frank Carr, Mr Ward arriving Hong Kong to help in the racing professionalization.
He established his stable in Sha Tin where he had another very successful career teamed with Lam Hung-fie.

RECORDS

9 Seasons As Trainer
227 Winners Saddled

Some of the Group Trophy or remarkable Races Including:

HIGHLIGHTS

1986-05-31 season finale, Arthur Ward capped his 50 year career in grand style with a double and topping it off with the Wong Choy Cup.

2007
Mr Ward was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Australia.

Arthur Ward had a rare ability to study and understand what was at stake and know which exact tactics to apply in the races he participated in, with regards to the form of the horse he was riding and training.
When it came to piloting and saddling up thoroughbreds, Arthur Ward was a force to reckon with in the history of Australian, Singapore and Hong Kong horse racing.

SUMMARY

2013-10-17 Mr Arthur Ward passed away.
Nicole, Mr Ward’s granddaughter, kindly wrote her comment:
“he lived a very long and lucky life. He retired from HK to his hometown of Sydney, Australia, where he and wife June enjoyed travelling and attending Saturday races for many years, visiting HK often. His later years were spent in Perth, Australia, where he continued to have an interest in all racing, but was most likely to be found spending time with his family, in particular his great granddaughter Ava.
He would often comment that although he was extremely honoured to have been inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, his proudest moments were celebrating the achievements of his family.

REFERENCE

Lam Hung-fie said, “my true teacher and patron was Arthur Ward. He taught me everything I know and I owe him a debt for the rest of my life.”

RELATED LINK

Video Showcase
Photo Gallery

Acknowledgment to Miss Nicole Ward and Mr Peter Yuen.