William Edge
William Edge
William Edge
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
William Edge rode eleven winners over jumps in the early years of the 20th century and made two unsuccessful attempts to conquer the formidable Liverpool fences.
William Edge rode eleven winners over jumps in the early years of the 20th century and made two unsuccessful attempts to conquer the formidable Liverpool fences.
His first victory was at Woore on April 5, 1906, when riding Dreadnought II to win the Tenant Farmers’ Steeplechase by a neck from Cawley Walley on Black Red. The winner was having his first race under National Hunt rules for almost two years and, carrying 12st 10lb, was conceding 21lb to the runner-up. On April 18, Dreadnought II ran at Tarporley and finished second, ridden that day by ‘Tich’ Mason, carrying a massive 13st 6lb.
His first victory was at Woore on April 5, 1906, when riding Dreadnought II to win the Tenant Farmers’ Steeplechase by a neck from Cawley Walley on Black Red. The winner was having his first race under National Hunt rules for almost two years and, carrying 12st 10lb, was conceding 21lb to the runner-up. On April 18, Dreadnought II ran at Tarporley and finished second, ridden that day by ‘Tich’ Mason, carrying a massive 13st 6lb.
William had to wait more than a year for his second victory, which came at Wenlock Hunt on May 10, 1907, when, in a match for the Innkeepers’ Selling Hurdle, he rode Jocular to beat Jilted, the mount of Jack Anthony. Anthony was still an amateur at the time and in just his second season of race riding.
William had to wait more than a year for his second victory, which came at Wenlock Hunt on May 10, 1907, when, in a match for the Innkeepers’ Selling Hurdle, he rode Jocular to beat Jilted, the mount of Jack Anthony. Anthony was still an amateur at the time and in just his second season of race riding.
William had two rides over the Grand National fences on successive days in November 1908. The first was on The Dwarf II in the Becher Chase, a chaotic race in which all eight runners fell at some stage, with just one, Moorside II, being remounted to finish alone. His second mount was Jenkins in the Valentine Chase, but they were again among the fallers, the race being won by future Grand National winner Jerry M, partnered by Ernie Driscoll.
William had two rides over the Grand National fences on successive days in November 1908. The first was on The Dwarf II in the Becher Chase, a chaotic race in which all eight runners fell at some stage, with just one, Moorside II, being remounted to finish alone. His second mount was Jenkins in the Valentine Chase, but they were again among the fallers, the race being won by future Grand National winner Jerry M, partnered by Ernie Driscoll.
It had looked for a while as though he would be stuck on just two winners. However, his luck eventually changed, achieving four successes in 1909. They included another match, at Hooton Park, and this time his opponent would be the far more experienced Alf Newey, who had won the 1907 Grand National on Eremon and was aboard the 7-2 on favourite Flying Ghost. But the race went William’s way, riding Click Clack to victory by three lengths.
It had looked for a while as though he would be stuck on just two winners. However, his luck eventually changed, achieving four successes in 1909. They included another match, at Hooton Park, and this time his opponent would be the far more experienced Alf Newey, who had won the 1907 Grand National on Eremon and was aboard the 7-2 on favourite Flying Ghost. But the race went William’s way, riding Click Clack to victory by three lengths.
Then it was back to lower yearly totals, with three wins in 1910, including one more match, at Haydock Park in March. This time his mount, Click Clack again, was the 6-1 on favourite and neat Admiral Nelson, the mount of George Lyall, by a distance.
Then it was back to lower yearly totals, with three wins in 1910, including one more match, at Haydock Park in March. This time his mount, Click Clack again, was the 6-1 on favourite and neat Admiral Nelson, the mount of George Lyall, by a distance.
There was one more success in 1911, that final win being a walkover on Double Sight at Hooton Park on April 20, 1912. He continued to hold a licence until 1915 but rode no more winners.
There was one more success in 1911, that final win being a walkover on Double Sight at Hooton Park on April 20, 1912. He continued to hold a licence until 1915 but rode no more winners.
Hooton Park, where William rode four of his eleven winners, was located nine miles from Liverpool and eight miles from Chester. Its inaugural meeting took place on 22nd May 1899. There were usually five fixtures during the year, including bank holiday meetings at Whitsun and on Boxing Day. The prize money on offer was remarkable for the time. At the turn of the century, the Great Cheshire Chase and the Hooton Park Hurdle were each worth £1,000 and attracted many of the top horses.
Hooton Park, where William rode four of his eleven winners, was located nine miles from Liverpool and eight miles from Chester. Its inaugural meeting took place on 22nd May 1899. There were usually five fixtures during the year, including bank holiday meetings at Whitsun and on Boxing Day. The prize money on offer was remarkable for the time. At the turn of the century, the Great Cheshire Chase and the Hooton Park Hurdle were each worth £1,000 and attracted many of the top horses.
Hooton Park staged its final day’s racing on Saturday, April 17, 1915. Soon after that meeting it was requisitioned for use as an army camp and later as an aerodrome. It did not reopen after the Great War and the course eventually became the site of Vauxhall Motors’ car factory.
Hooton Park staged its final day’s racing on Saturday, April 17, 1915. Soon after that meeting it was requisitioned for use as an army camp and later as an aerodrome. It did not reopen after the Great War and the course eventually became the site of Vauxhall Motors’ car factory.
William Edge’s winners were, in chronological order:
William Edge’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Dreadnought II, Woore, April 5, 1906
1. Dreadnought II, Woore, April 5, 1906
2. Jocular, Wenlock Hunt, May 10, 1907
2. Jocular, Wenlock Hunt, May 10, 1907
3. Castlemahon, Woore, April 1, 1909
3. Castlemahon, Woore, April 1, 1909
4. Click Clack, Hooton Park, May 31, 1909
4. Click Clack, Hooton Park, May 31, 1909
5. Jenkins, Wolverhampton, September 28, 1909
5. Jenkins, Wolverhampton, September 28, 1909
6. Sultry, Hooton Park, December 27, 1909
6. Sultry, Hooton Park, December 27, 1909
7. Click Clack, Hooton Park, February 25, 1910
7. Click Clack, Hooton Park, February 25, 1910
8. Click Clack, Haydock, Park, March 12, 1910
8. Click Clack, Haydock, Park, March 12, 1910
9. Friendly Foe, Wolverhampton, December 26, 1910
9. Friendly Foe, Wolverhampton, December 26, 1910
10. Just Fledged, Clifton Park (Blackpool), September 2, 1911
10. Just Fledged, Clifton Park (Blackpool), September 2, 1911
11. Double Sight, Hooton Park, April 20, 1912 (walkover)
11. Double Sight, Hooton Park, April 20, 1912 (walkover)