Bill Elliott
1914 - 1967
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
William Elliott, better known as Bill Elliott, was born in Sheffield in October, 1914 and was apprenticed to Tom Rimell at Kinnersley from 1927 to 1934.
William Elliott, better known as Bill Elliott, was born in Sheffield in October, 1914 and was apprenticed to Tom Rimell at Kinnersley from 1927 to 1934.
His rode his first winner on Virgin’s Tangle at Chepstow on August 3, 1931. The following year, while still an apprentice, he dead-heated on Sandy Lashes in the Ascot Stakes.
His rode his first winner on Virgin’s Tangle at Chepstow on August 3, 1931. The following year, while still an apprentice, he dead-heated on Sandy Lashes in the Ascot Stakes.
In 1934 he went to ride in India. It was there that his weight drastically increased, spiralling from 6st 7 lb to 8st 10lb. He was forced to return to England in 1937 and, for a short time, worked at the family’s metal business in Sheffield alongside his father. But the love of racing proved too strong so he began riding over hurdles.
In 1934 he went to ride in India. It was there that his weight drastically increased, spiralling from 6st 7 lb to 8st 10lb. He was forced to return to England in 1937 and, for a short time, worked at the family’s metal business in Sheffield alongside his father. But the love of racing proved too strong so he began riding over hurdles.
After spending six years in the RAF during the war, he returned to Tom Rimell in 1947 and started riding again on the Flat. This time, he was more successful.
After spending six years in the RAF during the war, he returned to Tom Rimell in 1947 and started riding again on the Flat. This time, he was more successful.
Bill had ridden only 34 winners in the first 25 years of his career, but in 1954 he doubled his score in just one year. Major victories included the City & Suburban on Sunny Brae, the Zetland Gold Cup aboard Prince D’Or and the Imperial Produce Stakes on Grass Court. By the end of that season, Bill had ridden 34 winners from 301 rides.
Bill had ridden only 34 winners in the first 25 years of his career, but in 1954 he doubled his score in just one year. Major victories included the City & Suburban on Sunny Brae, the Zetland Gold Cup aboard Prince D’Or and the Imperial Produce Stakes on Grass Court. By the end of that season, Bill had ridden 34 winners from 301 rides.
Other good wins soon came his way, in the 1955 Ayr Gold Cup on Hook Money and, in 1956, Royal Ascot’s Cork and Orrery Stakes on Grass Court and the Irish St Leger on Magnetic North.
Other good wins soon came his way, in the 1955 Ayr Gold Cup on Hook Money and, in 1956, Royal Ascot’s Cork and Orrery Stakes on Grass Court and the Irish St Leger on Magnetic North.
His best ever season numerically came in 1960 with 36 winners.
His best ever season numerically came in 1960 with 36 winners.
In 1964 he fractured his skull in a fall at Lingfield. He had just one more year in the saddle before he retired.
In 1964 he fractured his skull in a fall at Lingfield. He had just one more year in the saddle before he retired.
Bill lived in Newbury: most of his mounts came from the local trainers such as Derrick Candy. He once rode four winners in a day (at Chepstow, where he’d had his first winner). He was known for having a great knack with two-year-olds. He rode almost 250 winners during his career.
Bill lived in Newbury: most of his mounts came from the local trainers such as Derrick Candy. He once rode four winners in a day (at Chepstow, where he’d had his first winner). He was known for having a great knack with two-year-olds. He rode almost 250 winners during his career.
His son, Paul, born on 4 July, 1946, became apprenticed to Ron Smyth at Epsom and rode winners under both codes.
His son, Paul, born on 4 July, 1946, became apprenticed to Ron Smyth at Epsom and rode winners under both codes.
Bill Elliott died on May 20, 1967, aged 52, leaving a widow and two sons, Paul and Robin.
Bill Elliott died on May 20, 1967, aged 52, leaving a widow and two sons, Paul and Robin.
Classic winner
Classic winner
Irish St Leger: Magnetic North (1956)
Irish St Leger: Magnetic North (1956)
Other big winners
Other big winners
1932: Ascot Stakes – Sandy Lashes (dead-heat)
1932: Ascot Stakes – Sandy Lashes (dead-heat)
1954: City and Suburban Handicap – Sunny Brae
1954: City and Suburban Handicap – Sunny Brae
1954: Imperial Stakes – Grass Court
1954: Imperial Stakes – Grass Court
1954: Zetland Gold Cup – Prince d’Or
1954: Zetland Gold Cup – Prince d’Or
1955: Ayr Gold Cup – Hook Money
1955: Ayr Gold Cup – Hook Money
1956: Cork and Orrery Stakes = Grass Court
1956: Cork and Orrery Stakes = Grass Court
1963: Festival Stakes (Birmingham) – Teetotal
1963: Festival Stakes (Birmingham) – Teetotal