1866-1926
William, born in London on December 20, 1866, was the eldest brother of the four jockey sons of trainer John Nightingall.
He rode over 150 winners, the first being Magpie at Croydon in November 1883. Magpie also gave William his first win over fences.
Later he set up as a trainer: his son, Walter, kept up the tradition.
William died on October 25, 1926, aged 59.
He was buried at Epsom Cemetery three days later. He left £29,072
As a jockey William won the Aintree Hunt Chase in 1888 on Cloister and the 1891 Great Lancashire Chase on Why Not.
The following extract is taken from Bill Eacott's book Racehorse Training At Epsom
William Nightingall rode with some success under National Hunt rules; notable winners included the Liverpool Handicap Hurdle on Hungarian in 1886, the Baden Baden Steeplechase on Fenelon, and the Aintree Hunt Steeplechase on Cloister in 1888. He moved to Hoppegarten in Germany to train there in 1889. He took over as trainer at South Hatch at the time of the death of his father John Nightingall on November 13th 1891. William’s younger brothers John and Robert were stable jockeys. In 1893 he had twenty-two horses in training, and by 1898 he was training for Lord Rosebery. William took over the tenancy of the private racecourse on Walton Heath. A draft contract drawn up in 1896 reveals that the rental agreement was £35 per annum payable in two instalments, and was for renewal every three years. Solicitors for the owner, Henry Padwick Lord of the Manor noted;
“The landlord cannot concur but will not object to any posts, chains, rails, fences or any other erections which for eleven years past have been erected.”
Winners trained by William Nightingall on the flat include Ivor who won the 1895 Manchester November Handicap, and Ambition who won the 1905 Jubilee Handicap. He also won the 1904 Peveril of the Peak Plate at Derby with Marsden, and the Northamptonshire Stakes with Grand Deacon. Under National Hunt rules his most important successes were with Rory O’Moore who won the 1896 Grand Sefton Chase, Scotch Pearl who won the 1925 Imperial Cup; and Simonson the champion hurdler of 1907/08 after winning the 1907 Great Sandown Hurdle. Nightingall also won the Grand International Hurdle with Lucinda in 1905, and Rassendtyl in 1907. Simonson won the Duke of York Stakes at Newmarket the following year.
On 23rd July 1914 William Nightingall made his will:
William Nightingall, of South Hatch, Epsom, To my wife, absolutely all articles of household and domestic use or ornament, which shall at my death be in or about my house South Hatch or the gardens occupied therewith.
To my son, Walter Nightingall, absolutely in the event of his desiring to carry on the business of a trainer of racehorses all my harness, saddlery and stable furniture and other effects used by me in my business as a trainer which were belonged to me at the date of my death.
To my wife Annie Elizabeth Nightingall £250.
Twelve years later, William Nightingall amended the legacy:
Dated 24th December 1926, I William Nightingall of South Hatch, Epsom, Trainer of racehorses declare this to be a codicil to my last will. I give and bequeath to my wife Annie Nightingall my motor car and all accessories.
To my son Charles William Nightingall, the sum of £400, to my son Walter Nightingall, the sum of £100, to each of my daughters Violet Elizabeth Nightingall, Dorothy Lockhart Nightingall, Marjory Lucinda Nightingall, and Muriel Helen Nightingall the sum of £100.
William Nightingall died shortly after at the age of 59, he left £29,072 gross, £15,831 net.