William Cresswell, the son of a market gardener, was born at Mitcham in Surrey in 1839.
He was apprenticed to William Reeves at Epsom and his biggest wins included the 1859 Ascot Gold Cup on the immortal Fisherman, the 1855 Ebor Handicap (Vandal), the 1856 Royal Hunt Cup (Forbidden Fruit) and the 1862 Ascot Derby (Carisbrook).
He had his last ride at Knutsford in 1862 on Astarte, which fell.
He died from consumption at the White Bear in Piccadilly on January 15, 1863, aged 23, and was buried at Mitcham.
