William Fisher Hunter Carson was born in Stirling on November 16, 1942.
Standing at five feet, he was apprenticed to Gerald Armstrong (1958-62) and Fred Armstrong (1962-65).
The son of a warehouseman for Fyffes Bananas, Willie learned the art of riding in a school in Dunblane.
He made his racecourse debut on Marija, unplaced at Redcar on May 18, 1959
He had to wait until July 19, 1962, for his first winner, Pinker's Pond at Catterick.
His last winner was Bahhare at Doncaster on September 13, 1996.
In November 1967, he was badly hurt in a car crash during heavy fog: he suffered a broken jaw and femur plus ankle and facial injuries.
Later, he was nearly killed when his mount, Silken Knot, broke both her forelegs when falling at York on August 18, 1981.
One of the better class jockeys, Willie won four Derbies and many other classics.
He rode 3,828 winners. He was champion jockey five times, in 1972, 1973, 1978, 1980 and 1983. The fastest horse of all those he rode was the great sprinter Dayjur.
Classic winners.
1972: Two Thousand Guineas - High Top
1977: Oaks - Dunfermline
1977: St Leger - Dunfermline
1979: Derby - Troy
1980: Two Thousand Guineas - Known Fact
1980: Derby - Henbit
1980: Oaks - Bireme
1983: Oaks - Sun Princess
1983: St Leger - Sun Princess
1987: Two Thousand Guineas - Don't Forget Me
1988: St Leger - Minster Son
1989: Two Thousand Guineas - Nashwan
1989: Derby - Nashwan
1990: Oaks - Salsabil
1991: One Thousand Guineas - Shadayid
1994: Derby - Erhaab
Biggest wins include:
1965: Great St Wilfrid Handicap - Monkey Palm
1968: Dee Stakes - Laureate
1968: Northumberland Plate - Amateur
1969: Princess of Wale’s Stakes - Harmony Hall
1970: Craven Stakes - Tamil
1970: Dee Stakes - Golden Monad
1970: Old Newton Cup - New Member
1970: National Stakes - Trasi Girl
1970: Hungerford Stakes - Zingari
1971: Ascot Stakes - Celtic Cone
1971: Andy Capp Handicap - Song Of The Sea
1971: William Hill Gold Cup - Caius
1971: Middle Park Stakes - Sharpen Up
1972: Nell Gwyn Stakes - Carezza
1972: Thirsk Classic Trial - High Top
1972: Cheshire Oaks - Coral Beach
1972: Cork and Orrery Stakes - Parsimony
1972: Champagne Stakes - Otha
1972: November Handicap - King Top
1973: Sandown Classic Trial - Ksar
1973: Dee Stakes - Natsun
1973: Lingfield Derby Trial - Ksar
1973: Victoria Cup - Royal Prerogative
1973: Wokingham Stakes - Plummet
1973: Northern Goldsmith’s Handicap - Old Lucky
1973: Jockey Club Cup - Parnell
1974: City and Suburban Handicap - Belper
1974: Sandown Classic Trial - Bustino
1974: Cheshire Oaks - Dibidale
1974: Victoria Cup - Galiano
1974: Duke of York Stakes - Noble Mark
1974: Brigadier Gerard Stakes - Ksar
1974: Royal Hunt Cup - Old Lucky
1974: Gordon Stakes - Grey Thunder
1974: Doncaster Cup - Proverb
1975: John Porter Stakes - Salado
1975: Dee Stakes - Ravel
1975: Dante Stakes - Hobnob
1975: Cork and Orrery Stakes - Swingtime
1975: Princess of Wales’s Stakes - Libra’s Rib
1975: John Smith’s Magnet Cup - Jolly Good
1975: Richmond Stakes - Stand To Reason
1975: Nunthorpe Stakes - Bay Express
1975: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes - Rose Bowl
1975: Sun Chariot Stakes - Duboff
1975: Champion Stakes - Rose Bowl
1976: Great Metropolitan Handicap - True Lad
1976: William Hill Gold Cup - Claudio Nicolai
1976: Cherry Hinton Stakes - Ampulla
1976: Ebor Handicap - Sir Montague
1976: Flying Childers Stakes - Mandrake Major
1976: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes - Rose Bowl
1977: Duke of York Stakes - Boldboy
1977: Lockinge Stakes - Relkino
1977: Royal Hunt Cup - My Hussar
1977: International Stakes - Relkino
1977: Haydock Sprint Cup - Boldboy
1977: Portland Handicap - Jon George
1977: Champagne Stakes - Sexton Blake
1977: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes - Trusted
1978: Craven Stakes - Admiral’s Launch
1978: Westbury Stakes - Hot Grove
1978: Yorkshire Cup - Smuggler
1978: Henry II Stakes - Smuggler
1978: John Smith’s Magnet Cup - Town And Country
1978: Falmouth Stakes - Cistus
1978: Nassau Stakes - Cistus
1978: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes - Homing
1979: Sandown Classic Trial - Troy
1979: Chester Cup - Charlotte’s Choice
1979: Queen’s Vase - Buttress
1979: Queen Mary Stakes - Abeer
1979: Ribblesdale Stakes- Expansive
1979: Princess of Wales’s Stakes - Milford
1979: Falmouth Stakes - Rose Above
1979: King George Vl & Queen Elizabeth Stakes - Troy
1979: Gordon Stakes - More Light
1979: Molecomb Stakes - Keep Off
1979: Geoffrey Freer Stakes - Ninisky
1979: International Stakes - Troy
1979: Fillies’ Mile - Quick As Lightning
1979: Middle Park Stakes - Known Fact
1980: Earl of Sefton Stakes - Ela-Mana-Mou
1980: City and Suburban Handicap - Sea Chimes
1980: John Porter Stakes - Ninisky
1980: Sandown Classic Trial - Henbit
1980: Cheshire Oaks - Shoot A Line
1980: Jockey Club Stakes - More Light
1980: Chester Vase - Henbit
1980: Ormonde Stakes - Ninisky
1980: Musidora Stakes - Bireme
1980: Prince of Wales’s Stakes - Ela Mana Mou
1980: Ribblesdale Stakes - Shoot A Line
1980: Queen Alexandra Stakes - Ballinger
1980: Eclipse Stakes - Ela-Mana-Mou
1980: Gordon Stakes - Prince Bee
1980: King George Vl & Queen Elizabeth Stakes - Ela-Mana-Mou
1980: Park Hill Stakes - Shoot A Line
1980: Diadem Stakes - Sovereign Rose
1981: Queen’s Vase - Ore
1981: King Edward VII Stakes - Bustomi
1981: Wokingham Stakes - Great Eastern
1981: Gordon Stakes - Bustomi
1982: Cheshire Oaks - Swiftfoot
1982: Lingfield Derby Trial - Jalmood
1982: Ascot Stakes - Popsi’s Joy
1982: King Edward VII Stakes - Open Day
1982: Old Newton Cup - Valentinian
1982: Princess of Wales’s Stakes - Height Of Fashion
1982: Lowther Stakes - Habibti
1982: Park Hill Stakes - Swiftfoot
1982: Champagne Stakes - Gorytus
1982: Jockey Club Cup - Little Wolf
1982: Cesarewitch Handicap - Mountain Lodge
1983: City and Suburban Handicap - Cannon King
1983: Greenham Stakes - Wassl
1983: Palace House Stakes - On Stage
1983: Ascot Gold Cup - Little Wolf
1983: Jersey Stakes - Tecorno
1983: Ribblesdale Stakes - High Hawk
1983: Queen Alexandra Stakes - Sandalay
1983: John Smith’s (Magnet) Cup - Bedtime
1983: July Cup - Habibti
1983: Stewards Cup - Autumn Sunset
1983: Goodwood Cup - Little Wolf
1983: Goodwood Stakes - Morgans Choice
1983: Yorkshire Oaks - Sun Princess
1983: Great Voltigeur Stakes - Seymour Hicks
1983: Haydock Sprint Cup - Habibti
1983: Park Hill Stakes - High Hawk
1983: Cumberland lodge Stakes - Band
1984: Westbury Stakes - Morcon
1984: Chester Vase - Kaytu
1984: Yorkshire Cup - Band
1984: Lockinge Stakes - Wassl (dead-heat)
1984: Prince of Wales’s Stakes - Morcon
1984: Queen’s Vase - Baynoun
1984: King Edward VII Stakes - Head For Heights
1984: King’s Stand Stakes - Habibti
1984: Yorkshire Oaks - Circus Plume
1984: Mill Reef Stakes - Local Suitor
1984: Cumberland Lodge Stakes - Bedtime
1985: Sagaro Stakes - Longboat
1985: Victoria Cup - Tremblant
1985: Chester Cup - Morgans Choice
1985: Cork and Orrery Stakes - Dafayna
1985: Wokingham Stakes - Time Machine
1985: Princess of Wales’s Stakes - Petoski
1985: Bunbury Cup - Tremblant
1985: King George Vl & Queen Elizabeth Stakes - Petoski
1985: Challenge Stakes - Efisio
1986: Cheshire Oaks - Salchow
1986: Henry II Stakes - Longboat
1986: Brigadier Gerard Stakes - Bedtime
1986: Ascot Gold Cup - Longboat
1986: Goodwood Cup - Longboat
1986: Gimcrack Stakes - Wiganthorpe
1986: Doncaster Cup - Longboat
1986: Sun Chariot Stakes - Dusty Dollar
1986: Challenge Stakes - Lucky Ring
1987: Lingfield Oaks Trial - Port Helene
1987: Chester Vase - Dry Dock
1987: Queen Mary Stakes - Princess Athena
1987: Gordon Stakes - Love The Groom
1987: Racing Post Trophy - Emmson
1988: Sagaro Stakes - Sergeyevich
1988: Jockey Club Stakes - Almaarad
1988: Chester Vase - Unfuwain
1988: Ormonde Stakes - Mr Pintips
1988: Brigadier Gerard Stakes - Highland Chieftain
1988: Bessborough Stakes - Vouchsafe
1988: Hardwicke Stakes - Almaarad
1988: King’s Stand Stakes - Chillibang
1988: Princess of Wales’s Stakes - Unfuwain
1988: July Stakes - Always Valiant
1988: Gordon Stakes - Minster Son
1988: Goodwood Cup - Sergeyevich
1988: International Stakes - Shirley Heights
1988: Champagne Stakes - Prince Of Dance
1988: Dewhurst Stakes - Prince of Dance (dead-heat)
1988: Cesarewitch Handicap - Nomadic Way
1988: Racing Post Trophy - Al Hareb
1989: John Porter Stakes - Unfuwain
1989: Jockey Club Stakes - Unfuwain
1989: Coventry Stakes - Rock City
1989: Ascot Gold Cup - Sadeem
1989: Eclipse Stakes - Nashwan
1989: July Stakes - Rock City
1989: King George Vl & Queen Elizabeth Stakes - Nashwan
1989: Yorkshire Oaks - Roseate Tern
1989: Gimcrack Stakes - Rock City
1989: Doncaster Cup - Weld
1990: Fred Darling Stakes - Salsabil
1990: Dee Stakes - Blue Stag
1990: Temple Stakes - Dayjur
1990: Brigadier Gerard Stakes - Husyan
1990: Bessborough Stakes - Hateel
1990: King’s Stand Stakes - Dayjur
1990: Eclipse Stakes - Elmaamul
1990: July Stakes - Mujtahid
1990: Sussex Stakes - Distant Relative
1990: Goodwood Cup - Lucky Moon
1990: Yorkshire Oaks - Hellenic
1990: Gimcrack Stakes - Mujtahid
1990: Nunthorpe Stakes - Dayjur
1990: Haydock Sprint Cup - Dayjur
1990: Mill Reef Stakes - Time Gentlemen
1990: Cesarewitch Handicap - Trainglot
1990: November Handicap - Azzaam
1991: Craven Stakes - Marju
1991: Fred Darling Stakes - Musicale
1991: Victoria Cup - Sky Cloud
1991: St James’s Palace Stakes - Marju
1991: Ascot Stakes - Cabochon
1991: King George V Stakes - Title Role
1991: Portland Handicap - Sarcita
1991: Champagne Stakes - Rodrigo de Triano
1991: Mill Reef Stakes - Showbrook
1991: Middle Park Stakes - Rodrigo De Triano
1991: Sun Chariot Stakes - Ristna
1991: November Handicap - Hieroglyphic
1992: Queen Anne Stakes - Lahib
1992: Stewards Cup - Lochsong
1992: Portland Handicap - Lochsong
1992: Champagne Stakes - Petardia
1993: Ribblesdale Stakes - Thawakib
1994: Prince of Wales’s Stakes - Muhtarram
1994: Goodwood Stakes - Harlestone Brook
1995: Lingfield Derby Trial - Munwar
1995: Prince of Wales’s Stakes - Muhtarram
1995: St James’s Palace Stakes - Bahri
1996: Cork and Orrery Stakes - Atraf
In Ireland
1979: Irish Sweeps Derby - Troy
1987: Irish Two Thousand Guineas - Don’t Forget Me
1990: Irish Sweeps Derby - Salsabil
1988: Matron Stakes - Llyn Gwynant
1992: Desmond Stakes - Via Borghese
1992: Royal Whip Stakes - Jahafil
1993: Irish Champion Stakes - Muhtarram
1994: Irish One Thousand Guineas - Mehthaaf
In France
1980: Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) - Policeman
1982: Prix Morny - Deep Roots
1982: Prix de la Salamandre - Deep Roots
1983: Prix de l’Abbaye - Habibti
1987: Prix Marcel Boussac - Ashayer
1988: Prix de la Foret - Salse
1989: Prix Marcel Boussac - Salsabil
1990: Prix de Diane (French Oaks) - Rafha
1990: Prix Vermeille - Salsabil
1990: Prix Marcel Boussac - Shadayid
1990: Prix de l’Abbaye - Dayjur
in Italy
1983: Premio Roma - High Hawk
1986: Derby Italiano - Tommy Way
1989: Premio Parioli - Highland Chieftain
1992: Premio Parioli - Alhijaz
1992: Premio Vittorio di Capua - Alhijaz
1993: Premio Vittorio di Capua - Alhijaz
1994: Premio Presidente della Republica - Muhtarram
