Arnold Kirkland

Arnold Kirkland (November 11, 1921 - March 15, 1969) was an American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey. He was from Petersburg, VA and became one of the nations top jockeys in the 1940s and 50s.

Arnold Kirkland rode in the Kentucky Derby five times. His best finish was a 3rd on Hasseyanda in 1954. That year the Derby was won by Determine.^[1]

He was known for his stick work (whipping) and in 1948 won the Peter Pan Stakes on Escadu. It was on Escadru where he famously challenged Citation on the far turn in that years Belmont Stakes. Kirkland and Escadru made a bold run where the lead was whittled to 2 lengths with just 3/8 of a mile to go. Citation then spurted clear and became the eighth Triple Crown winner while the team of Kirkland and Escadru settled for 3rd. ^[2]

Kirland rode for many famous owners such as C. V. Whitney. He won the 1945 Wood Memorial on Jeep and piloted the 2 Year Old Filly Champion of 1946 First Flight twice, ^[3] as well.

Mr. Kirkland won many of the east coast's biggest races. They included: the 1944 Delaware Handicap on Everget, the 1946 Massachusetts Handicap on Pavot and the Rhode Island Handicap of that year on Man O' Glory.^[4]

In 1948, he had two signature wins on Gallorette in the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga Race Course and Donor in the Narragansett Special at Narragansett Park just in the month of August.^[5]

His last Kentucky Derby mount was on Countermand in 1956 where he drew the #17 post, was extremely wide on the first turn, and came home last (17th) to Needles.

Arnold Kirkland died on March 15, 1969 and is buried at Woodland Cemetery (Richmond, Virginia).^[6]

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