Walter Adams

Walter Adams

Article by Alan Trout

Walter Charles Adams rode for over 20 years, and although unsuccessful on the Flat, he did manage 15 wins over jumps. 

He was apprenticed to the northern trainer James Adams – it is not known if they were related – and made a promising start to his career when finishing second, beaten only half a length, on Fealsham in the Hackfall Apprentice Plate at Ripon on August 6, 1906. The race was won by Arthur Watts on Squire Alfred and was probably as close as Walter came to winning a race on the Flat. 

He rode for two more years without success before eventually switching to the jumps in 1912. He won three races that year, beginning with Dustman in the Smethwick Selling Chase at Birmingham on November 25. The winner was owned by successful amateur rider Ian Straker and trained by Tom Coulthwaite. 

He ended the year by winning twice on Sore Toes, also trained by Coulthwaite, in a hurdle race at Hooton Park on Boxing Day and a novice chase at Blackpool’s Clifton Park four days later. Neither Hooton Park or Clifton Park would survive World War One, staging their last meetings within nine days of each other in April 1915. 

Walter rode seven winners in 1913 including a double at Shirley Park in September when Red Sky won the Minor Handicap Hurdle and Drinaugh walked over for the Tally-Ho Chase. Both horses were owned and trained by another top amateur rider, Captain ‘Vandy’ Beatty.   

Like so many other jockeys, Walter’s career was impeded by World War One. It was not until 1920 that he returned to winning ways when Moorefield, whom he also trained, won a novice chase at Derby in January and then won twice at Manchester, in February and March. Being unable to claim an allowance, having ridden ten winners (all that was required in those days) before the war, did not help Walter’s cause. He rode only two more, the last coming at Carlisle on Easter Monday, April 18, 1927, when King Theo won the Durdar Hurdle. He did not renew his licence for the 1927/28 season.

Walter Adams’ winners were, in chronological order:

1. Dustman, Birmingham, November 25, 1912

2. Sore Toes, Hooton Park, December 26, 1912

3. Sore Toes, Clifton Park, December 30, 1912

4. Cannock Lass, Nottingham, January 29, 1913

5. Drinaugh, Southwell, May 6, 1913

6. Ciraga, Pershore, May 15, 1913

7. Kijabe, Newton Abbot, August 5, 1913

8. Drinaugh, Plymouth, September 3, 1913

9. Red Sky, Shirley Park, September 8, 1913

10. Drinaugh, Shirley Park, September 8, 1913

11. Moorefield, Derby, January 26, 1920

12. Moorfield, Manchester, February 13, 1920

13. Moorfield, Manchester, March 6, 1920

14. Athlea, Sedgefield, October 17, 1923

15. King Theo, Carlisle, April 18, 1927