Arthur Ward, among the most successful jockeys of the fifties and sixties, passed away recently in Perth aged 94.

Ward was almost an institution during that time; he was closely connected to the stable of the late Tommy Smith, at Randwick.

He won the Caulfield Cup on Rising Fast in 1954, it was a case of being in the right place at the right time, his mount, Engraver, was a late scratching, as a result he was left without a ride in the race.

The fortunes of racing can quickly change, Bill Williamson was to ride Rising Fast in the Caulfield Cup; however he was involved in a serious fall from Impeller in the Thousand Guineas, the other two horses to fall were Scottish Circle, ridden by Ted Preston and Sweet Adaline, who had the services of Neville Sellwood. ,

Ward was engaged as the substitute jockey for Rising Fast, and he duly won, starting favourite at 7-4, but owner, Leicester Spring, was far from happy claiming the rider disobeyed riding instructions as he went too early, Jack Purtell was the replacement rider for the remainder of that spring.

Arthur Ward was the toast of Flemington in 1957, riding four Group I winners, the Sires Produce Stakes on Tulloch, the Newmarket on Kings Fair, St Leger on Summalu and the Queen’s Cup on Redcraze.