William Filmer-Sankey
Pay Up after winning the 1922 Grand Military Gold Cup
The son of a naval officer, William Patrick Filmer-Sankey was born in Ireland on April 4, 1900. He spent his school holidays at the Lancepark, Thurles training stables of his uncle William Patrick Hanley, during which time he rode his first winner.
The son of a naval officer, William Patrick Filmer-Sankey was born in Ireland on April 4, 1900. He spent his school holidays at the Lancepark, Thurles training stables of his uncle William Patrick Hanley, during which time he rode his first winner.
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 served in the 1st Life Guards and attained the rank of Captain. Having by then become the owner of Pay Only, he rode him 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 served in the 1st Life Guards and attained the rank of Captain. Having by then become the owner of Pay Only, he rode him 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, on whose sire, Ruddygore, Billy had finished third in the 1916 Irish Grand National. 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, on whose sire, Ruddygore, Billy had finished third in the 1916 Irish Grand National. 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.
In addition to being a fine amateur rider, Billy was also a leading Polo player and played tennis at Wimbledon.
In addition to being a fine amateur rider, Billy was also a leading Polo player and played tennis at Wimbledon.
He died, aged 85, at Loch Assynt in Scotland on September 24, 1985, and was cremated at Perth Crematorium.
He died, aged 85, at Loch Assynt in Scotland on September 24, 1985, and was cremated at Perth Crematorium.
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
