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Bill Denson
Bill Denson
1923-2009
1923-2009
Born on the family farm in Cheshire on 22 November 1923, Bill Denson was the youngest of six children and the only boy. Sadly, his mother died that December and it was left to his father to bring up the youngsters.
Born on the family farm in Cheshire on 22 November 1923, Bill Denson was the youngest of six children and the only boy. Sadly, his mother died that December and it was left to his father to bring up the youngsters.
The family had racing interests and connections: Bill’s father had a few good point-to-pointers which he raced and hunted regularly, and Bill’s cousin, George Owen, had ridden Brendan’s Cottage to win the 1939 Cheltenham Gold Cup before, as a trainer, sending out Russian Hero from his stables at Malpas, Cheshire, to win the 1949 Grand National.
The family had racing interests and connections: Bill’s father had a few good point-to-pointers which he raced and hunted regularly, and Bill’s cousin, George Owen, had ridden Brendan’s Cottage to win the 1939 Cheltenham Gold Cup before, as a trainer, sending out Russian Hero from his stables at Malpas, Cheshire, to win the 1949 Grand National.
Bill, left school in 1937, aged 14, and was taken on as a stable lad at George Digby’s stable at Exning, Newmarket. When racing was halted at the start of the war, Bill attempted to join the armed service but, having been born with a twisted foot, was rejected on medical grounds.
Bill, left school in 1937, aged 14, and was taken on as a stable lad at George Digby’s stable at Exning, Newmarket. When racing was halted at the start of the war, Bill attempted to join the armed service but, having been born with a twisted foot, was rejected on medical grounds.
Instead, he found work at Jack Colling's nearby Newmarket yard, and rode out each morning. Then, when Gerry Wilson began training at Andoversford in 1944, George Owen arranged for Bill to join him.
Instead, he found work at Jack Colling's nearby Newmarket yard, and rode out each morning. Then, when Gerry Wilson began training at Andoversford in 1944, George Owen arranged for Bill to join him.
Bill rode his first winner aboard Tintern Abbey in the Knighton Novices’ Chase at Woore on 17 October 1946. They followed up at Wincanton seven days later.
Bill rode his first winner aboard Tintern Abbey in the Knighton Novices’ Chase at Woore on 17 October 1946. They followed up at Wincanton seven days later.
One afternoon in 1947 at Birmingham races, Bill was getting changed next to champion jockey Bryan Marshall when a frustrated trainer, Billy Smallwood, entered, complaining that he still hadn’t found a jockey to ride his National entry, Shanakill. Bryan pointed to Bill, saying, “This fellow will give him a good ride.”
One afternoon in 1947 at Birmingham races, Bill was getting changed next to champion jockey Bryan Marshall when a frustrated trainer, Billy Smallwood, entered, complaining that he still hadn’t found a jockey to ride his National entry, Shanakill. Bryan pointed to Bill, saying, “This fellow will give him a good ride.”
Bill and 100-1 shot Shanakill duly lined up alongside 56 others – a post-war record – for the 1947 Grand National. They got as far as the Canal Turn, which the horse clipped and tumbled over, giving Bill no chance of staying in the saddle.
Bill and 100-1 shot Shanakill duly lined up alongside 56 others – a post-war record – for the 1947 Grand National. They got as far as the Canal Turn, which the horse clipped and tumbled over, giving Bill no chance of staying in the saddle.
Luckily, both emerged unscathed and reappeared the following week at Southwell. Once again, Bill was thrown, but remounted to finish fourth.
Luckily, both emerged unscathed and reappeared the following week at Southwell. Once again, Bill was thrown, but remounted to finish fourth.
Bill returned to Aintree in the autumn of 1948 and rode Legal Knight in the Valentine Chase, leading the field over Becher’s before fading to finish last of the seven finishers.
Bill returned to Aintree in the autumn of 1948 and rode Legal Knight in the Valentine Chase, leading the field over Becher’s before fading to finish last of the seven finishers.
His eleventh and final win came on Allen’s Bridge at Worcester on 20 September 1949. He continued riding until 1950 when a crashing fall left him with seven broken ribs, a punctured lung and severe concussion, thus ending his career.
His eleventh and final win came on Allen’s Bridge at Worcester on 20 September 1949. He continued riding until 1950 when a crashing fall left him with seven broken ribs, a punctured lung and severe concussion, thus ending his career.
Staying in the game, he became travelling head lad to Gerry Wilson before, five years later, joining Tom Yates, again as travelling head lad.
Staying in the game, he became travelling head lad to Gerry Wilson before, five years later, joining Tom Yates, again as travelling head lad.
By 1961, Bill turned to training, sending out his first winner with just his third runner, Midanne, a short-head winner at Wincanton on 21 September 1961. Probably the best horse he sent out was Princeful, who finished ninth in the 1968 Grand National.
By 1961, Bill turned to training, sending out his first winner with just his third runner, Midanne, a short-head winner at Wincanton on 21 September 1961. Probably the best horse he sent out was Princeful, who finished ninth in the 1968 Grand National.
Bill eventually retired to Gloucester where he lived in the aptly-named ‘Hill View’, a cottage in the village of Weston-Sub-Edge.
Bill eventually retired to Gloucester where he lived in the aptly-named ‘Hill View’, a cottage in the village of Weston-Sub-Edge.
It was there, 25 years later, in September 2009, that Bill Denson passed away, aged 85, having lived a full and fruitful life.
It was there, 25 years later, in September 2009, that Bill Denson passed away, aged 85, having lived a full and fruitful life.
Bill Denson’s winners were, in chronological order:
Bill Denson’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Tintern Abbey, Woore, 17 October 1946
1. Tintern Abbey, Woore, 17 October 1946
2. Tintern Abbey, Wincanton, 24 October 1946
2. Tintern Abbey, Wincanton, 24 October 1946
3. Tommy Traddles, Worcester, 2 November 1946
3. Tommy Traddles, Worcester, 2 November 1946
4. Brilaw, Ludlow, 16 April 1947
4. Brilaw, Ludlow, 16 April 1947
5. Yung Tan, Towcester, 24 May 1947
5. Yung Tan, Towcester, 24 May 1947
6. Oakley Wood, Newton Abbot, 13 September 1947
6. Oakley Wood, Newton Abbot, 13 September 1947
7. Yung Tan, Stratford-on-Avon, 15 November 1947
7. Yung Tan, Stratford-on-Avon, 15 November 1947
8. Brown Hall, Hereford, 29 March 1948
8. Brown Hall, Hereford, 29 March 1948
9. Printers Pie, Stratford-on-Avon, 22 April 1948
9. Printers Pie, Stratford-on-Avon, 22 April 1948
10. Rorrison, Market Rasen, 1 May 1948
10. Rorrison, Market Rasen, 1 May 1948
11. Allen’s Bridge, Worcester, 20 September 1949
11. Allen’s Bridge, Worcester, 20 September 1949
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