Willie Cullen

c1861 - 1937

Leading Irish amateur rider William Parke Cullen was born in Galway circa 1861, the younger of two renowned rider and trainer brothers. He rode mainly in his homeland where he was champion jockey, but he also enjoyed plenty of success in Britain, where he recorded exactly 100 winners, the first of which was on Drummer in the Manchester December Handicap Chase on December 11, 1891. 

Willie had won his first steeplechase on The Colonel in 1879. He combined riding as an amateur with training, based initially at Rossmore Lodge, Curragh. His elder brother Frederick joined him there in 1882 but they separated two years later, Willie moving to Rathbridge Cottage where he trained a mixed string, while Fred stayed at Rossmore Lodge. 

Willie won the 1889 Conyngham Cup on Royal Meath, whom he also trained. He won the Galway Plate three times, on Erin’s Star (1885), Victrix (1887) and Castle Warden (1896). 

He finished second in the 1890 Irish Grand National on Lochinvar, beaten six lengths by the 5-2 favourite Greek Girl. However, in 1892 he rode Greek Girl himself, winning four races in succession on her, climaxing an excellent season at Aintree in November when, having finished second to The Midshipmite in the Aintree Chase, she reappeared the next day to win the prestigious Valentine Chase.  

Willie rode in five Grand Nationals, between 1892 and 1903, completing the course in four of them. Having finished seventh on his first two attempts on Cruiser in 1892 and Roman Oak in 1893, he fell on 50-1 outsider Prince Albert in 1895. Six years then elapsed before he rode in the race again, finishing sixth on Fanciful in 1901. He rode Fanciful again in 1903, again completing the course, albeit last of seven finishers behind 13-2 favourite Drumcree. 

His greatest disappointment, though, was when he was ‘jocked off’ Manifesto at the eleventh hour in 1897, yielding the Aintree honour and glory to his compatriot Terry Kavanagh. 

During that six-year gap between Grand National rides, Willie had achieved some notable successes as an owner, trainer and rider. He owned and trained Wales, who carried his ‘black, pink hoop and cap’ colours to victory in the 1897 Irish Derby, ridden by lightweight jockey Tommy Fiely. 

He finished second on Donner in the 1898 Lancashire Chase but won the 1899 Grand International Hurdle, staged at Gatwick following the closure of its original home at Croydon nine years earlier, on his Irish Derby winner Wales, who started at 100-8 and beat 6-1 chance Rampion, ridden by George Williamson by three-quarters of a length.    

Wille’s last British winner was on Kid II in the Compton Verney Chase at Banbury Hunt on April 6, 1906. Kid II was also his final mount in Britain, when he was beaten in a match for the Western Counties Hurdle by Shoeblack, the mount of Ivor Anthony, at the West Somerset Hunt meeting on May 17, 1906.  

Willie combined the roles of rider and trainer with consistent success until almost fifty years of age. In common with many Irish trainers of the day, he moved his jumpers to temporary quarters in England for the winter campaign. Among those who he successfully exploited on both sides of the Irish Sea were the entire Killyleagh, whom he trained to win Sandown’s Grand Prize, and the mare What. Willie subsequently bred that pair to became the sire and dam of Killeagh, winner of the 1906 Irish Derby.

A gentleman and sportsman in the best decision, Willie Cullen predeceased his elder brother, dying in Clonkeen, Co. Galway, on June 7, 1937, aged 76.

Biggest wins:

1885: Galway Plate – Erin’s Star

1887: Galway Plate – Victrix

1889: Conyngham Cup – Royal Meath

1892: Valentine Chase – Greek Girl

1896: Galway Plate – Castle Warden

1899: Grand International Hurdle – Wales