William Davies
William Davies
William Davies
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Apprentice William Henry Davies rode one winner during his second season on the Flat, but that was all he managed to achieve. He was apprenticed to Colledge Leader, a leading trainer for more than 30 years who sent out two Classic winners from his Machell Place stables in Newmarket.
Apprentice William Henry Davies rode one winner during his second season on the Flat, but that was all he managed to achieve. He was apprenticed to Colledge Leader, a leading trainer for more than 30 years who sent out two Classic winners from his Machell Place stables in Newmarket.
William made a promising start to his career, filling third place in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Newmarket on April 16, 1912, riding the six-year-old Pendant. It is likely that the crowd present at Newmarket that afternoon was still discussing the fate of the Titanic, which had sunk the previous day.
William made a promising start to his career, filling third place in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Newmarket on April 16, 1912, riding the six-year-old Pendant. It is likely that the crowd present at Newmarket that afternoon was still discussing the fate of the Titanic, which had sunk the previous day.
He rode Pendant once more that season, again finishing third at Newmarket, this time on July 2 in the Visitors’ Apprentice Plate won by Daniel McKenna on Ambush.
He rode Pendant once more that season, again finishing third at Newmarket, this time on July 2 in the Visitors’ Apprentice Plate won by Daniel McKenna on Ambush.
William made a good start to his 1913 campaign with victory aboard Molly Dolan in the Apprentices Maiden Selling Plate at Warwick on April 9. Molly Dolan prevailed by just a head. The Sportsman, a rival publication to the Sporting Life, noted that there was “not a very good exhibition of riding on the part of the apprentices” but that “the finish was a very remarkable one, less than a length separating the first five”. Molly Dolan was exported to Australia following her success.
William made a good start to his 1913 campaign with victory aboard Molly Dolan in the Apprentices Maiden Selling Plate at Warwick on April 9. Molly Dolan prevailed by just a head. The Sportsman, a rival publication to the Sporting Life, noted that there was “not a very good exhibition of riding on the part of the apprentices” but that “the finish was a very remarkable one, less than a length separating the first five”. Molly Dolan was exported to Australia following her success.
Sadly, William was unable to add to his total of winners. His only ride in 1915, and his last, was at Birmingham on April 6, when his mount Llandelly finished eighth of the 12 runners in the Burton Three-Year-Old Handicap won by ‘Snowy’ Whalley on Turnberry.
Sadly, William was unable to add to his total of winners. His only ride in 1915, and his last, was at Birmingham on April 6, when his mount Llandelly finished eighth of the 12 runners in the Burton Three-Year-Old Handicap won by ‘Snowy’ Whalley on Turnberry.
