(1844- 1912)
William James Adams (always known as Jimmy) was born in Cranborne, Dorset.
He was apprenticed to William Day at Woodyates and rode his first winner, Companion, at Newmarket on October 28, 1856.
Jimmy was an accomplished jockey under both codes: he rode eight times in the Derby & nine times in the Grand National. His best finishing position was third in both.
Riding under the name of Jimmy Adams, his nine Grand National mounts were:
1868: Chimney Sweep (broke leg, destroyed)
1871: St Valentine (fell)
1872: Cinderella (fell)
1873: Cinderella (fell)
1874: Merlin (3rd)
1878: Boyne Water (7th)
1881: Abbot of St Mary's (6th)
1882: The Liberator (fell)
1883: Athlacca (pulled up)
His career was ended in a fall at Auteuil in France and he turned to training, sending out runners from Turf Cottage in Sutton.
In 1891, having moved to Priam Lodge, he then employed 14 staff and oversaw a large string of jumpers.
Enterprisingly, he had a private steeplechase course erected on Walton Heath.
However, this was not enough to prevent him from going bankrupt: in 1895 he appeared at Croydon Bankruptcy Court.
The Nottingham Evening Post, dated 24 October 1895, takes up the story...
“WILLIAM JAMES ADAMS, trainer of racehorses at Bruce Lodge, Epsom, “ attributed his insolvency to losses from bad debts, betting, and expenses incurred in connection with the illness if his wife”. The accounts showed gross liabilities of £3402, and assets £1541, deficiency £1860. Adams said that he had trained racehorses for 20 years, the last 12 years at Epsom. Sometimes he had 15 – 20 horses in training but he had been unable to get on without borrowing money. His present liabilities had been incurred since 1889. The debtor [Adams] also explained that he had paid at least £500 for betting losses incurred by his sons.'
Before his court hearing, William put Bruce Lodge up for sale: however, it failed to reach its reserve, stopping at £2,600
William retired in 1910.
He died at Epsom on July 31, 1912, aged 67, and was buried at Epsom on August 3, 1912.
His brothers Samuel (died 1876) and Frederick (died 1893) were also successful jockeys.
Jimmy's son, Robert (1875-1943) moved to Europe and became six times Champion Trainer in Hungary & Austria.
Another son, Thomas (1871-1923) was also declared bankrupt: his considerable gambling debts had, in fact, been one factor William's own bankruptcy.
Jimmy's biggest wins include:
1859: City & Suburban - Glenbuck
1860: Cambridgeshire -Weatherbound
1862: Great Metropolitan - Elcho
1867: Grand Metropolitan Steeplechase - Chimney Sweep
1868: Royal Hunt Cup - Satyr
1871: Grand Sefton - Bogue Horna
1971: Cheltenham Grand Annual -Bogue Horna
1872: United Kingdom Grand Steeplechase - Footman
1872: Birmingham Grand Annual Steeplechase - Corfu
1873: Scottish Grand National - Hybia
1880: Birmingham Grand Annual Steeplechase - Bugle March
1880: Great Sandown Hurdle - Blue Ruin
1881: Birmingham Grand Annual Steeplechase - Quibble
1882: Great Sandown Hurdle - Prudhomme
The Cambridgeshire card Tuesday 23 October, 1860
Article courtesy Chas Hammond
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