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Pay Up after winning the 1922 Grand Military Gold Cup
William Patrick Filmer-Sankey, son of Commander Edmund Richard Filmer-Sankey, was born on Wednesday, April 4, 1900, in Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire.
William Patrick Filmer-Sankey, son of Commander Edmund Richard Filmer-Sankey, was born on Wednesday, April 4, 1900, in Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire.
He initially attended Downside School, near Bath, but after William’s grandfather died, his family moved to Lanespark, Killenaule. Young Billy Filmer-Sankey would spend his school holidays in the Thurles training stables of his uncle, William Patrick Hanly, some twelve miles away.
He initially attended Downside School, near Bath, but after William’s grandfather died, his family moved to Lanespark, Killenaule. Young Billy Filmer-Sankey would spend his school holidays in the Thurles training stables of his uncle, William Patrick Hanly, some twelve miles away.
When WW1 broke out, Billy joined the 1st Life Guards, a cavalry regiment of the British Army, in which he gained the rank of Officer.
When WW1 broke out, Billy joined the 1st Life Guards, a cavalry regiment of the British Army, in which he gained the rank of Officer.
In October, 1904, the Stewards of the Turf Club permitted Billy to ride under Rule 96 (ii) Rules of Racing, on the understanding that he rode only his own horses or those the property of his uncle.
In October, 1904, the Stewards of the Turf Club permitted Billy to ride under Rule 96 (ii) Rules of Racing, on the understanding that he rode only his own horses or those the property of his uncle.
The first recorded successes of Billy came on Conygham Cup day at Puchestown on Wednesday April 12, 1916. Having won the Prince of Wales Plate the day before, Royal Munster was asked to shoulder a 14lb penalty–this was reduced by Billy’s 5lb allowance. The horse made light of the extra weight and scored a popular victory for Captain Wyndham Quinn, to whom the pleasing news was immediately wired at the front.
The first recorded successes of Billy came on Conygham Cup day at Puchestown on Wednesday April 12, 1916. Having won the Prince of Wales Plate the day before, Royal Munster was asked to shoulder a 14lb penalty–this was reduced by Billy’s 5lb allowance. The horse made light of the extra weight and scored a popular victory for Captain Wyndham Quinn, to whom the pleasing news was immediately wired at the front.
Later that afternoon, sixteen-year-old Billy completed a double when winning the Downshire Plate on Lord Wave. So well did Billy ride that ‘he was heartily congratulated on his achievement’.
Later that afternoon, sixteen-year-old Billy completed a double when winning the Downshire Plate on Lord Wave. So well did Billy ride that ‘he was heartily congratulated on his achievement’.
A keen amateur rider, ‘Billy’ Filmer-Sankey finished third in the 1916 Irish Grand National in Ruddygore. He won it the following year aboard the mare Pay Only, owned and trained, like Ruddygore, by his uncle, winning in a canter by an effortless four lengths.
A keen amateur rider, ‘Billy’ Filmer-Sankey finished third in the 1916 Irish Grand National in Ruddygore. He won it the following year aboard the mare Pay Only, owned and trained, like Ruddygore, by his uncle, winning in a canter by an effortless four lengths.
Just fifteen days later, Billy was reunited with Pay Only to land a gamble at the Punchestown meeting, where she carried 12st 12lb to victory in the Prince of Wales’s Handicap Chase.
Just fifteen days later, Billy was reunited with Pay Only to land a gamble at the Punchestown meeting, where she carried 12st 12lb to victory in the Prince of Wales’s Handicap Chase.
He rode Pay Only to win the 1921 Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown. They won it for a second time in 1922 and also won that year’s Valentine Chase over Liverpool’s Grand National fences.
He rode Pay Only to win the 1921 Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown. They won it for a second time in 1922 and also won that year’s Valentine Chase over Liverpool’s Grand National fences.
Captain Filmer-Sankey hunted with the Tipperary pack before moving to England to become Master of the South Notts Hunt.
Captain Filmer-Sankey hunted with the Tipperary pack before moving to England to become Master of the South Notts Hunt.
His other top-class horse was Ruddyglow. Trained by Max Barthropp, Ruddyglow gave Billy a third success in the Grand Military Gold Cup, winning it in 1925. They went on to finish third behind Koko in the 1926 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
His other top-class horse was Ruddyglow. Trained by Max Barthropp, Ruddyglow gave Billy a third success in the Grand Military Gold Cup, winning it in 1925. They went on to finish third behind Koko in the 1926 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Billy had ridden 36 National Hunt winners by the age of 26.
Billy had ridden 36 National Hunt winners by the age of 26.
In addition to being the leading amateur rider, Billy was also a first-class Polo player, having played for Eton.
In addition to being the leading amateur rider, Billy was also a first-class Polo player, having played for Eton.
He qualified to play tennis at Wimbledon and became a scratch golf player after the age of 60.
He qualified to play tennis at Wimbledon and became a scratch golf player after the age of 60.
He died, aged 85, at Loch Assynt in Scotland on September 24, 1985, and was cremated at Perth Crematorium on Friday, September 27.
He died, aged 85, at Loch Assynt in Scotland on September 24, 1985, and was cremated at Perth Crematorium on Friday, September 27.
His son, Christopher, died, aged 28, on February 3, 1957, following a fall from John Archer in a chase at Gowran Park on January 31, 1957.
His son, Christopher, died, aged 28, on February 3, 1957, following a fall from John Archer in a chase at Gowran Park on January 31, 1957.
Best wins:
Best wins:
1917: Irish Grand National - Pay Only
1917: Irish Grand National - Pay Only
1921: Grand Military Gold Cup Pay Only
1921: Grand Military Gold Cup Pay Only
1922: Valentine Chase - Pay Only
1922: Valentine Chase - Pay Only
1922: Grand Military Gold Cup - Pay Only
1922: Grand Military Gold Cup - Pay Only
1925: Grand Military Gold Cup - Ruddyglow
1925: Grand Military Gold Cup - Ruddyglow
Ruddyglow & W. Wilmer-Sankey wining in 1925
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