Mexborough and Swinton Times March 24, 1939

Mexborough Farrier Who Ignored Tip                  
Lincoln Horse Trained At Swinton

Mr. W. Smallwood, the successful trainer, toasted by some of his customers.

There is one consolation for the local punters who did not hack ‘Squadron Castle’. The Mexborough farrier who shod her on Tuesday did not. He is Mr. Tyson K. Truelove, of Church Street. and he told me that he had no idea that he was saying ‘Steady’ and ‘Whoa there’ to the winner of the 1939 Lincoln. Not that Mr. W. H. Smallwood, the trainer, of the ‘King’s Head,’ Swinton, kept the tip back. He said quite frankly–as he always does: he has none of the conventional hush-hush of the trainer—that Squadron Castle’ had a chance. But Mr. Truelove’s judgment was disturbed by the opinions of some the more dogmatic experts.

Though the farrier (and I) missed the boat some of the local bookmakers will have to regard it as “Black Lincoln.’ for Squadron Castle’ was well supported in this district.      Especially at Swinton.

Even more especially by the clientele of the ‘King’s dead.’ You only had to look in during Wednesday evening to realise that. The rooms were crowded. All the punter—well, perhaps not all, but well over a hundred—had come to congratulate ‘Billy’. And ‘Billy’ did not forget that he had done rather well out of it all. He stuffed another sheaf of telegrams in his pocket and elbowed his way from best room to tap ‘room ordering drinks on the house.

Some of us went with the bitter taste of gall on our palate. We had missed a sitter. We had studied with so much intensity the opinions of our Fleet Street advisers that we had not noticed Squadron Castle champing away in the Swinton Stable. While the Lincoln winner was being put through its paces en the old Swinton Racecourse our pins were poised over Probable runners’ or we were working out our systems with logarithm tables.               That is why there was a taste of gall But Mr. Smallwood did his bit ‘Free drinks on the house’, he said With plenty of good cheer but It a little concealed self-accusation the humble band who had lost drank their pint and joined in the congratulations.

By this time, of course, Mr. Smallwood, was getting pretty used to the huzzahs. On the course, after ‘Squadron Castle’ had scudded past the post, there were plenty of handshakes and cheers (Especially from the course ‘bookies’ but that was either because the owner Mr. S. H. Oxenham, of Doncaster. was one of them or else because the winner was very lightly backed). The experts were high in their praise of Mr. Smallwood’s achievement in view of the fact that he took charge of the blue roan only nine months ago. Before Wednesday ‘Squadron Castle’ had won only two races and had not done brilliantly it one or two small races. And when it came to Swinton it was with the reputation of lameness.  Mr. Smallwood took it in hand, and along with Mr. Truelove designed some special light shoes which would mitigate pressure of the sensitive hooves. During the last nine months ‘Squadron Castle’ has made rapid improvement and has shot up from a rather doubtful performer to the winner of a classic.

It is the first major success to fall to the Swinton stable where eighteen horses form Mr. Smallwood’s string. The trainer started as a steeplechase – jockey in 1905 at Doncaster, for the late Major S A Smith, and under National Hunt rules he had about 100 wins.  In 1921 he first tenanted the old Swinton Racecourse from Lord Fitzwilliam and set up as a public trainer. Many small races have been won by his stable. Mr. Smallwood is a bit concerned over the building which is over-running his  course              Three furlongs have already been docked off, but for some time to come he will have enough space for  both flat and hurdle training.              t

One thing ‘Squadron Castle’s’ success has done; it has provided convincing proof of the fact that northern stables ‘ and trainers can equal the achievements of the larger southern organisations.

And there can be little doubt that Wednesday’s Lincoln is going to bring a lot ‘more commissions from big owners to the Swinton stable.

Mr. Tyson Truelove, the farrier, described to me the special shoes which played an important part in ‘Squadron Castle’s’ performance. He said, ‘They are a trade secret so far as the details are concerned. But I can say they were designed by Mr. Truelove and myself and made here. Often aluminium shoes are used, but these were of steel and not full shoes but what we call tips. It is a very specialised job shoeing race- horses. The shell of the hoof is only about three eighths of an inch thick and is very sensitive. You have to avoid pressure on the spot where the horse goes lame.’

Mr Truelove said ‘Squadron Castle’ is full of spirit, but a good horse to shoe. Mr. Smallwood recommended him to support it, but he did not.            Among other winners he has shod for the stable were Brown Beauty, Sky Pioneer, Jubilee Navy, Paddock. Flutter, Wisdom Gift, Caress, and Gianetta. It took an hour to shoe ‘Squadron Castle’.

Incidentally, Mr. Truelove, who has been shoeing racehorses for seven years, is the fourth generation to carry on business as a farrier and general smith in Church Street, Mexborough. He has in his possession a bill sent to ‘J. Sutton’ which bears the date 1829. That was in the time of his great-grandfather, George Truelove, who was probably in business in the town in the 1790’s. The concern was later carried on by Fred Truelove and Robert John Truelove. The latter on one occasion shod a zebra for the circus proprietor, Lord John Sanger. Six men were needed to hold the mettlesome animal down.