Billy Grey
1853 - 1909
1853 - 1909
William Peter Grey (sometimes spelt Gray) was born in Sheffield on February 1, 1853.
William Peter Grey (sometimes spelt Gray) was born in Sheffield on February 1, 1853.
Billy spent his early life in Brighton. Sadly, his mother died when he was four, and he and his father - born in Co Kildare - migrated to Ireland, where they lived until he was twelve.
Billy spent his early life in Brighton. Sadly, his mother died when he was four, and he and his father - born in Co Kildare - migrated to Ireland, where they lived until he was twelve.
Then they returned to England where they both found employment at the Tupgill, Middleham, stables of Thomas Dawson: Billy became an apprentice - his father, a groom.
Then they returned to England where they both found employment at the Tupgill, Middleham, stables of Thomas Dawson: Billy became an apprentice - his father, a groom.
Some three years passed before Billy, in 1868, was allowed to ride in public, but so rapid was his progress (he rode 18 winners in that first season) that, just two years later, he dead-heated with Charlie Maidment for the 1870 jockeys’ championship, both having ridden 76.
Some three years passed before Billy, in 1868, was allowed to ride in public, but so rapid was his progress (he rode 18 winners in that first season) that, just two years later, he dead-heated with Charlie Maidment for the 1870 jockeys’ championship, both having ridden 76.
His last win that year came on the very last day of the season - November 25 - at the Leamington & Warwickshire Hunt. He rode Stanley to an easy win in the Bradgate Cup.
His last win that year came on the very last day of the season - November 25 - at the Leamington & Warwickshire Hunt. He rode Stanley to an easy win in the Bradgate Cup.
In the very next race, Charlie Maidment won on Queen Bessie, level-pegging the race for the jockeys’ championship. This meant that whichever of the two won the last race, that jockey would be champion.
In the very next race, Charlie Maidment won on Queen Bessie, level-pegging the race for the jockeys’ championship. This meant that whichever of the two won the last race, that jockey would be champion.
In the event, both jockeys were beaten, thus dead-heating for the title.
In the event, both jockeys were beaten, thus dead-heating for the title.
In doing so, Billy became one of the few jockeys to reach champion status without riding a classic winner.
In doing so, Billy became one of the few jockeys to reach champion status without riding a classic winner.
Among his chief successes that year - November 11, 1870 - was the Liverpool Autumn Cup, which he won on Exciseman for Mr Johnstone (for whom he also won the Cumberland Plate on Sweet Sound). Days before his Liverpool victory he was only beaten three-quarters of a length in the Cambridgeshire riding Major Stapylton’s outsider, Syrian, the race going to the favourite, Adonis.
Among his chief successes that year - November 11, 1870 - was the Liverpool Autumn Cup, which he won on Exciseman for Mr Johnstone (for whom he also won the Cumberland Plate on Sweet Sound). Days before his Liverpool victory he was only beaten three-quarters of a length in the Cambridgeshire riding Major Stapylton’s outsider, Syrian, the race going to the favourite, Adonis.
In 1872, he captured the Ascot Stakes on Molly Cobroy and the Northumberland Plate plus the Goodwood Stakes, both with the same animal, the splendid Spennithorne.
In 1872, he captured the Ascot Stakes on Molly Cobroy and the Northumberland Plate plus the Goodwood Stakes, both with the same animal, the splendid Spennithorne.
Billy married: his wife, Margaret Rudder, lived near Middleham. She gave him three children: William Herbert, Sydney Vickers and Lilian Emma.
Billy married: his wife, Margaret Rudder, lived near Middleham. She gave him three children: William Herbert, Sydney Vickers and Lilian Emma.
In the 1871 Northumberland Plate, Billy met with an accident, in which his mount, Christopher Sly, a 3-y-o carrying 7st., slipped and fell, bringing down Freeman.
In the 1871 Northumberland Plate, Billy met with an accident, in which his mount, Christopher Sly, a 3-y-o carrying 7st., slipped and fell, bringing down Freeman.
The local paper described it thus…
The local paper described it thus…
‘As the horses were rounding ‘Newcastle Turn’ in a cluster, Billy’s mount - the favourite, Christopher Sly - slipped his foot, fell and slid about twenty yards on his side, his youthful rider the while having one leg under the animal. A numerous concourse of spectators immediately rendered assistance to the jockey. Gray, after lying on the grass for a few minutes, was conveyed by two constables to the turnpike road contiguous to the course, where a cab was procured and the sufferer taken to the Infirmary. He was quite unconscious. We subsequently learnt, however, that the injuries sustained were not serious, and that in the course of a brief time, he will be able to pursue his vocation. The favourite itself came off scatheless, though when he regained ‘all fours’, seemed shaken and nervous.
‘As the horses were rounding ‘Newcastle Turn’ in a cluster, Billy’s mount - the favourite, Christopher Sly - slipped his foot, fell and slid about twenty yards on his side, his youthful rider the while having one leg under the animal. A numerous concourse of spectators immediately rendered assistance to the jockey. Gray, after lying on the grass for a few minutes, was conveyed by two constables to the turnpike road contiguous to the course, where a cab was procured and the sufferer taken to the Infirmary. He was quite unconscious. We subsequently learnt, however, that the injuries sustained were not serious, and that in the course of a brief time, he will be able to pursue his vocation. The favourite itself came off scatheless, though when he regained ‘all fours’, seemed shaken and nervous.
The thousands who backed him must make up their minds to give more heed on future occasions to the saying ‘There’s many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip.’
The thousands who backed him must make up their minds to give more heed on future occasions to the saying ‘There’s many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip.’
Er...quite so!
Er...quite so!
Increasingly unable to beat the scales, Billy retired from riding and turned to training. He accepted a position ‘of trust’ in Matt Dawson’s stables in the halcyon days of Lord Falmouth, and had under his charge such classic animals as Bal Gal, Dutch Oven, Harvester, Busybody, Galliard and St Simon.
Increasingly unable to beat the scales, Billy retired from riding and turned to training. He accepted a position ‘of trust’ in Matt Dawson’s stables in the halcyon days of Lord Falmouth, and had under his charge such classic animals as Bal Gal, Dutch Oven, Harvester, Busybody, Galliard and St Simon.
At the dispersal of Lord Falmouth’s stud, Billy took to training, working for Lord Cawdor and Captain Bedford. The last winner he rode and trained was Repeater ll.
At the dispersal of Lord Falmouth’s stud, Billy took to training, working for Lord Cawdor and Captain Bedford. The last winner he rode and trained was Repeater ll.
He then took entire charge of the racing stud of Mr Manton.
He then took entire charge of the racing stud of Mr Manton.
When Manton died , Billy set up as trainer in his own right, sending out runners belonging to Mr Dartmoor, from Weathercock Hill, Lambourn.
When Manton died , Billy set up as trainer in his own right, sending out runners belonging to Mr Dartmoor, from Weathercock Hill, Lambourn.
Billy died at Southsea on Saturday, 27 February 1909, aged 56. A death notice (below) references the injuries he received when falling his horse in the 1869 Liverpool Cup as the source of ‘mental troubles’ that caused his sharp decline in later life.
Billy died at Southsea on Saturday, 27 February 1909, aged 56. A death notice (below) references the injuries he received when falling his horse in the 1869 Liverpool Cup as the source of ‘mental troubles’ that caused his sharp decline in later life.
Footnote:
Footnote:
His son, William Herbert, became the manager of the Mikado Cafe in Southsea.
His son, William Herbert, became the manager of the Mikado Cafe in Southsea.