Flaming Way

The Royal Artillery Gold Cup was inaugurated in 1862 and, with interruptions for the Boer War and two World Wars, is probably more hotly contested today, well yesterday, than at any time in its long history. Since 1921 it has been run at Sandown Park.

The race is restricted to horses that are owned or have been leased by those serving or who have served in the Royal Artillery or one of its recognised units. The jockeys must be amateur and either past or serving members of the Armed Forces. In 2017 and 2018 the winning rider was Captain Guy Disney. He served in the Light Dragoons and lost his lower right leg in Afghanistan in 2009. Something that does not deter him from riding racehorses. Yesterday he tried, unsuccessfully, for a hat trick.

But let’s look back to 1949 when Brigadier Fowler rode his own horse, Flaming Way, to victory. The Brig, as he’s known, was also both a good soldier and horseman.

Brigadier Bryan John Fowler, M.C., Royal Regiment of Artillery, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
Brigadier Fowler has carried out the duties of a Commander of Royal Artillery with great distinction from April 28th, 1942, to date.

Throughout the whole period he has been indefatigable in improving the standard of gunnery in the division.

He has had countless difficulties to contend with, but with dogged perseverance and a complete disregard of fatigue he has invariably surmounted each crisis with marked ability.

During every operation, in the Knightsbridge area in May and June, on the Ruweisat ridge in July and August, at Alamein in October and November and beyond, with a complete disregard of his safety and frequently under heavy fire, he continually visited the most forward observation posts, giving advice and encouragement to young Forward Observation Officers.
His devotion to duty, his determination to allow nothing to stand in the way of maximum efficiency, his invariable habit of doing “that something extra which counts,” and above all his courage in action, have always been inspiring, and an encouragement to those under his command and to all who saw him.

 His daughter, Jessica Harrington, has his indomitable spirit and is a successful trainer over the sticks and on the flat. His step-son, no mean horseman, is married to my sister. This all arises because the Brig’s win in 1949 was remembered in the race card for yesterday’s Royal Artillery Gold Cup, won by Carlos Du Fruitier (how do they think up the names) ridden by amateur, Miss Brodie Hampson, whose father served in the RA for 22 years.

The atmosphere at Sandown yesterday was relaxed. It was a contrast to over-crowded Cheltenham and a heck of a lot easier to get to. I much enjoyed  being at the races and meeting, among others, Guy Disney’s understandably nervous mother. Also present was Johnnie Mead who won the Grand Military 50 years ago and is still riding and many senior Gunners. My old regiment, the Honourable Artillery Company, had a runner; lucky I didn’t back it as it came last, although it had been well up with the field, disputing 2nd place, until things went awry three from home.