William Brockwell was born in Carshalton in 1864, the son of a labourer. He was apprenticed to James Adams at Epsom and rode his first winner in 1879.
His banner year was 1880 when he rode 20 winners including that year’s Royal Hunt Cup on Strathern.
He later moved his boots and saddle to France and rode there for several years until being refused a licence in 1894.
Having got married there in 1890, he stayed in France and owned racehorses later that same decade.
It is not known when or where he died.
