Bill Payne
1910 - 2000
1910 - 2000
William John (Bill) Payne Jr. was born at Bugbrooke, Northamptonshire, on July 25, 1910.
William John (Bill) Payne Jr. was born at Bugbrooke, Northamptonshire, on July 25, 1910.
He made his first appearance in the saddle when still at school, aged 14. He rode Lord Suirdale's South Lodge (also aged 14) in an amateurs' chase at Gatwick in 1925.
He made his first appearance in the saddle when still at school, aged 14. He rode Lord Suirdale's South Lodge (also aged 14) in an amateurs' chase at Gatwick in 1925.
He finished second.
He finished second.
He was only able to get rides or practice while on holiday, and did not become a regular until after his 16th birthday.
He was only able to get rides or practice while on holiday, and did not become a regular until after his 16th birthday.
He was still at school when he won his first race under National Hunt rules, that being on his father's horse, Noctifer, in an amateur riders' hurdle (Gatwick, Wednesday 16 December, 1925). Bill had just passed his 15th birthday.
He was still at school when he won his first race under National Hunt rules, that being on his father's horse, Noctifer, in an amateur riders' hurdle (Gatwick, Wednesday 16 December, 1925). Bill had just passed his 15th birthday.
Bill was a good all-rounder as a boy, being captain of his school and captain of the cricket, rugby and football teams.
Bill was a good all-rounder as a boy, being captain of his school and captain of the cricket, rugby and football teams.
When his riding days were over, he became a successful trainer.
When his riding days were over, he became a successful trainer.
Bill was one of the best-loved characters in racing as jockey and trainer. In 1928 he was the unlucky loser of one of the most sensational Grand Nationals in history, thereby missing the record for the youngest ever winning jockey - won 10 years later by his great friend the 17-year- old Bruce Hobbs, on Battleship.
Bill was one of the best-loved characters in racing as jockey and trainer. In 1928 he was the unlucky loser of one of the most sensational Grand Nationals in history, thereby missing the record for the youngest ever winning jockey - won 10 years later by his great friend the 17-year- old Bruce Hobbs, on Battleship.
Easter Hero, the Arkle of his time, led a record field of 42 runners over those huge upright fences with supreme contempt until he reached the Canal Turn, then an open ditch. Here he took off outside the wings, crashed on top of the fence and straddled it, apparently stuck, balking those behind and putting more than 20 horses out of the race. Not until Popham Down came a cropper in 1987, Foinavon's year, was there to be another melee like it.
Easter Hero, the Arkle of his time, led a record field of 42 runners over those huge upright fences with supreme contempt until he reached the Canal Turn, then an open ditch. Here he took off outside the wings, crashed on top of the fence and straddled it, apparently stuck, balking those behind and putting more than 20 horses out of the race. Not until Popham Down came a cropper in 1987, Foinavon's year, was there to be another melee like it.
Two fences from home there were only three left. Going far the best was Great Span, ridden by the 17-year-old Bill Payne for his father, a former champion jockey, who now trained near Epsom. But, at the second last, the saddle slipped, dumping young Payne; and, after the only other survivor, the American challenger Billy Barton, had fallen at the last, Tipperary Tim, a "thoroughly bad horse", won the great chase at 100-1. Barton was remounted to become the only other finisher.
Two fences from home there were only three left. Going far the best was Great Span, ridden by the 17-year-old Bill Payne for his father, a former champion jockey, who now trained near Epsom. But, at the second last, the saddle slipped, dumping young Payne; and, after the only other survivor, the American challenger Billy Barton, had fallen at the last, Tipperary Tim, a "thoroughly bad horse", won the great chase at 100-1. Barton was remounted to become the only other finisher.
That season Payne finished third in the jump jockeys' championship.
That season Payne finished third in the jump jockeys' championship.
Bill Payne was racing as an amateur when he was 14 and turned professional in 1925. On the outbreak of the Second World War he joined the Staffordshire Yeomanry, who were still fully horsed, and, as a sergeant, travelled with them to Palestine, where, with Bruce Hobbs, he was commissioned into the Yorkshire Dragoons at the end of 1940. After fighting in Syria, the regiment lost their horses and, as motorised infantry, were in almost constant action from Alamein to Tunis and then in Italy, where Payne was badly wounded on the Gothic Line. As a major, he commanded his regiment for a while at Anzio.
Bill Payne was racing as an amateur when he was 14 and turned professional in 1925. On the outbreak of the Second World War he joined the Staffordshire Yeomanry, who were still fully horsed, and, as a sergeant, travelled with them to Palestine, where, with Bruce Hobbs, he was commissioned into the Yorkshire Dragoons at the end of 1940. After fighting in Syria, the regiment lost their horses and, as motorised infantry, were in almost constant action from Alamein to Tunis and then in Italy, where Payne was badly wounded on the Gothic Line. As a major, he commanded his regiment for a while at Anzio.
On demobilisation, he returned to racing and, in 1946, married Patsy Argent. Until her death in 1999 they were inseparable. Bill assisted his father for 10 successful years which saw many victories, including the famous shock defeat of the great grey Abernant by their good colt Tangle in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in 1950.
On demobilisation, he returned to racing and, in 1946, married Patsy Argent. Until her death in 1999 they were inseparable. Bill assisted his father for 10 successful years which saw many victories, including the famous shock defeat of the great grey Abernant by their good colt Tangle in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in 1950.
On his father's retirement, Bill took over the reins, with Patsy registered as his assistant trainer. In the words of Bruce Hobbs, "Bill was very good at his job but he never had any ambition to become a big trainer." From his attractive stables at Eastbury, Lambourn, he produced decent winners like Soueida, Jeune Premier, Streetfighter and Zucchero. He won the Bunbury Cup and his favourite racecourse was Redcar, where he took the William Hill Spring Cup twice.
On his father's retirement, Bill took over the reins, with Patsy registered as his assistant trainer. In the words of Bruce Hobbs, "Bill was very good at his job but he never had any ambition to become a big trainer." From his attractive stables at Eastbury, Lambourn, he produced decent winners like Soueida, Jeune Premier, Streetfighter and Zucchero. He won the Bunbury Cup and his favourite racecourse was Redcar, where he took the William Hill Spring Cup twice.
In retirement at Newmarket, the Paynes took pride in their son Pip, who was headman to Bruce Hobbs before starting up on his own and now has a string of 25 horses. But after Patsy's death Bill became very ill. Says Hobbs: "He was nearly 90 and felt he now had nothing left to live for. He went steadily downhill.
In retirement at Newmarket, the Paynes took pride in their son Pip, who was headman to Bruce Hobbs before starting up on his own and now has a string of 25 horses. But after Patsy's death Bill became very ill. Says Hobbs: "He was nearly 90 and felt he now had nothing left to live for. He went steadily downhill.
"I knew Bill for 63 years. He was my greatest friend. He was immensely brave in war and peace and the most honest and reliable person I have ever met."
"I knew Bill for 63 years. He was my greatest friend. He was immensely brave in war and peace and the most honest and reliable person I have ever met."
Bill and Patricia had two children: a son, Pip - who followed his father by becoming a trainer - and a daughter, Sarah.
Bill and Patricia had two children: a son, Pip - who followed his father by becoming a trainer - and a daughter, Sarah.
Bill Payne died in Newmarket, Suffolk on May 31, 2000, aged 89.
Bill Payne died in Newmarket, Suffolk on May 31, 2000, aged 89.