William Downes
William Downes
William Downes
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
William Henry Downs rode 17 winners over jumps in the years leading up to the First World War. Associated with the stable of William Downes – presumably his father – he had had his first ride in public on the Flat when finishing unplaced on Drowsy Girl in the Maiden Selling Plate at Folkestone on June 23, 1910.
William Henry Downs rode 17 winners over jumps in the years leading up to the First World War. Associated with the stable of William Downes – presumably his father – he had had his first ride in public on the Flat when finishing unplaced on Drowsy Girl in the Maiden Selling Plate at Folkestone on June 23, 1910.
He had no wins on the Flat but fared far better over jumps in a brief, three-year career, which began with a second-place finish on the five-year-old Gip’s Boy owned and trained by William Downes, at Wye on New Year’s Day 1912. Gip’s Boy also provided him with his first success when coming with a “capital burst of speed” as The Sportsman newspaper put it, to overhaul Bobsleigh and win the Minor Selling Hurdle by a head at Gatwick on March 7, 1912.
He had no wins on the Flat but fared far better over jumps in a brief, three-year career, which began with a second-place finish on the five-year-old Gip’s Boy owned and trained by William Downes, at Wye on New Year’s Day 1912. Gip’s Boy also provided him with his first success when coming with a “capital burst of speed” as The Sportsman newspaper put it, to overhaul Bobsleigh and win the Minor Selling Hurdle by a head at Gatwick on March 7, 1912.
He ended that year with a score of eight wins, then rode six in 1913 and three in 1914. The selling chaser Gold Seal II stood out, supplying five wins altogether, usually carrying top weight. That horse gave William his final victory when defying a 12st 7lb burden to take the Bracknell Selling Handicap Chase at Hawthorn Hill by a head on November 14, 1914.
He ended that year with a score of eight wins, then rode six in 1913 and three in 1914. The selling chaser Gold Seal II stood out, supplying five wins altogether, usually carrying top weight. That horse gave William his final victory when defying a 12st 7lb burden to take the Bracknell Selling Handicap Chase at Hawthorn Hill by a head on November 14, 1914.
He had some rides in 1915 but then relinquished his licence.
He had some rides in 1915 but then relinquished his licence.
William Downes’ wins were, in chronological order:
William Downes’ wins were, in chronological order:
1. Gip’s Boy, Gatwick, March 7, 1912
1. Gip’s Boy, Gatwick, March 7, 1912
2. Black Passion, Hawthorn Hill, March 26, 1912
2. Black Passion, Hawthorn Hill, March 26, 1912
3. Black Passion, Plumpton, April 6, 1912
3. Black Passion, Plumpton, April 6, 1912
4. Gip’s Boy, Wolverhampton, April 30, 1912
4. Gip’s Boy, Wolverhampton, April 30, 1912
5. Blucher II, Wye, May 20, 1912
5. Blucher II, Wye, May 20, 1912
6. Punchinello, Hooton Park, August 5, 1912
6. Punchinello, Hooton Park, August 5, 1912
7. Punchinello, Wye, September 30, 1912
7. Punchinello, Wye, September 30, 1912
8. King Pepper, Folkestone, December 19, 1912
8. King Pepper, Folkestone, December 19, 1912
9. Authority, Lingfield Park, January 11, 1913
9. Authority, Lingfield Park, January 11, 1913
10. Punchinello, Hurst Park, January 18, 1913
10. Punchinello, Hurst Park, January 18, 1913
11. Gold Seal II, Hooton Park, August 4, 1913
11. Gold Seal II, Hooton Park, August 4, 1913
12. Gold Seal II, Wye, September 29, 1913
12. Gold Seal II, Wye, September 29, 1913
13. Gold Seal, II, Lingfield Park, November 1, 1913
13. Gold Seal, II, Lingfield Park, November 1, 1913
14. Gold Seal, II, Lingfield Park, December 3, 1913
14. Gold Seal, II, Lingfield Park, December 3, 1913
15. Milfoil, Gatwick, January 7, 1914
15. Milfoil, Gatwick, January 7, 1914
16. Queen Va, Wye, March 16, 1914
16. Queen Va, Wye, March 16, 1914
17. Gold Seal II, Hawthorn Hill, November 14, 1914
17. Gold Seal II, Hawthorn Hill, November 14, 1914
William's first win: Gip’s Boy, Gatwick, March 7, 1912