Walter Gill
Walter Gill
Walter Gill
1897-1972
1897-1972
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born in 1897, Walter Gill rode five winners under National Hunt rules in the 1920s. His first ride was at the Tenby Hunt meeting on January 12, 1921, when his mount, Craiglure, fell in the Wroughton Novices’ Chase.
Born in 1897, Walter Gill rode five winners under National Hunt rules in the 1920s. His first ride was at the Tenby Hunt meeting on January 12, 1921, when his mount, Craiglure, fell in the Wroughton Novices’ Chase.
It was not until February 21, 1923 that he had his first success when Duncher won the Berkshire Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newbury by half a length. It was the only time Walter rode the seven-year-old, who was sold after the race.
It was not until February 21, 1923 that he had his first success when Duncher won the Berkshire Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newbury by half a length. It was the only time Walter rode the seven-year-old, who was sold after the race.
There were no more wins that year but in 1924 he won twice in two days at Newton Abbot’s season-opening fixture. On Monday, August 4, he finished second on Blastino in the Churchills Handicap Hurdle before winning the Novices’ Hurdle on Longniddry Lass, beating Jack Anthony on Roman Hackle by six lengths. The following day he steered Blastino to victory in the Kingsteignton Handicap Hurdle, scoring by just a short head. Both winners were trained by Harry Turner at Stoughton.
There were no more wins that year but in 1924 he won twice in two days at Newton Abbot’s season-opening fixture. On Monday, August 4, he finished second on Blastino in the Churchills Handicap Hurdle before winning the Novices’ Hurdle on Longniddry Lass, beating Jack Anthony on Roman Hackle by six lengths. The following day he steered Blastino to victory in the Kingsteignton Handicap Hurdle, scoring by just a short head. Both winners were trained by Harry Turner at Stoughton.
With no more jump racing scheduled until Devon & Exeter's two-day meeting on August 27/28, those two wins meant that Walter and Jack Antony shared the lead in the jockeys’ championship for three weeks. Unfortunately, he lost the ride on Blastino to Billy Speck, while Longniddry Lass did not run again that season.
With no more jump racing scheduled until Devon & Exeter's two-day meeting on August 27/28, those two wins meant that Walter and Jack Antony shared the lead in the jockeys’ championship for three weeks. Unfortunately, he lost the ride on Blastino to Billy Speck, while Longniddry Lass did not run again that season.
Walter’s fourth win came at Aldershot on April 28, 1925 when, having finished second on Southport in the Farnham Selling Hurdle, he went one better later in the afternoon on Sodalis in the Fleet Handicap Hurdle.
Walter’s fourth win came at Aldershot on April 28, 1925 when, having finished second on Southport in the Farnham Selling Hurdle, he went one better later in the afternoon on Sodalis in the Fleet Handicap Hurdle.
Again, Walter did not keep the ride and had to wait over a year for his final victory, but at least it was on a horse he knew well, when Longniddry Lass took the Exton Selling Hurdle at the Hambledon Hunt meeting on May 4, 1926, only the second time he had ridden her since their Newton Abbot success. She also provided him with his final ride when they finished fourth of 13 runners in the Fleet Handicap Hurdle at Aldershot on April 12, 1927.
Again, Walter did not keep the ride and had to wait over a year for his final victory, but at least it was on a horse he knew well, when Longniddry Lass took the Exton Selling Hurdle at the Hambledon Hunt meeting on May 4, 1926, only the second time he had ridden her since their Newton Abbot success. She also provided him with his final ride when they finished fourth of 13 runners in the Fleet Handicap Hurdle at Aldershot on April 12, 1927.
Walter Gill died in 1972.
Walter Gill died in 1972.
Walter Gill's first win came at Newbury in 1923
Walter Gill's first win came at Newbury in 1923