William Crump

William Crump

Article by Alan Trout

Although granted a licence to ride under National Hunt rules as early as 1922, it was not until the end of 1928 that William Henry Crump had his first win. Another ten followed within two years, returning five seasons later with one more success to make a career total of twelve. 

That first success came in the Timberham Maiden Hurdle at Gatwick on December 12, 1928, when Grandene, owned by Stanley Wootton and trained by his brother Frank, beat Dovedale, the mount of champion jockey Billy Stott. William amassed five more wins before the end of the season and had a ride in Sandown Park’s Imperial Cup, finishing unplaced on the Bill Larkin-trained First Offence. There were two winners in 1929/30 followed by three in 1930/31, the latter trio being courtesy of the six-year-old chaser Candlemas. 

Although he continued to hold a licence, William did not ride another winner for over five years, the drought finally ended by Prophecy in the Juvenile Hurdle at Newbury on December 28, 1935. Sent over fences soon afterwards, Prophecy went on to finish fourth in the National Hunt Juvenile Chase at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting in March, but by that time Eddie Taylor was the man in the saddle. 

William Crump continued to hold a licence until the suspension of National Hunt racing during World War Two but rode no more winners.

William Crump’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Grandene, Gatwick, December 12, 1928

2. Peertoi, Fontwell Park, April 19, 1929

3. Sobrino, Sandown Park, April 27, 1929

4. Sobrino, Worcester, May 2, 1929

5. Montpelier, Folkestone, May 8, 1929

6. Prospice, Folkestone, May 9, 1929

7. Prospice, Kempton Park, November 19, 1929

8. Adage, Kempton Park, December 27, 1929

9. Candlemas, Newton Abbot, August 4, 1930

10. Candlemas, Devon & Exeter, August 27, 1930

11. Candlemas, Nottingham, October 27, 1930

12. Prophecy, Newbury, December 28, 1935