William Griggs
1884 -1972
1884 -1972
The elder brother of jockey/trainer Walter Griggs. William Herbert Griggs, was born in Gillingham, Kent on May 16, 1884.
The elder brother of jockey/trainer Walter Griggs. William Herbert Griggs, was born in Gillingham, Kent on May 16, 1884.
He was apprenticed to Newmarket trainer Robert Sherwood Jnr and rode his first winner on Loch Leven in the stand Nursery Plate at Newmarket on October 18, 1901.
He was apprenticed to Newmarket trainer Robert Sherwood Jnr and rode his first winner on Loch Leven in the stand Nursery Plate at Newmarket on October 18, 1901.
He achieved his first major successes in 1904, winning the Chester Cup on Sandboy and the Stewards Cup on Melayr. The following year he won the Lincolnshire Handicap on Sansovino and the Goodwood Cup on Red Robe. By July 1905, he had ridden around 200 winners. His best year numerically was in 1907 when he rode 67 winners.
He achieved his first major successes in 1904, winning the Chester Cup on Sandboy and the Stewards Cup on Melayr. The following year he won the Lincolnshire Handicap on Sansovino and the Goodwood Cup on Red Robe. By July 1905, he had ridden around 200 winners. His best year numerically was in 1907 when he rode 67 winners.
During World War One, Lieutenant William Griggs played a prominent part as a machine-gun officer, and was awarded the Military Cross from the hands of Sir Archibald Murray.
During World War One, Lieutenant William Griggs played a prominent part as a machine-gun officer, and was awarded the Military Cross from the hands of Sir Archibald Murray.
On Saturday, March 10, 1917, he took advantage of two days’ leave to ride the winner of the Cairo, Egypt, Derby.
On Saturday, March 10, 1917, he took advantage of two days’ leave to ride the winner of the Cairo, Egypt, Derby.
Returning to the saddle after the war had ended, he rode his only Classic winner on Cinna in the 1920 1,000 Guineas. He retired from the saddle two years later.
Returning to the saddle after the war had ended, he rode his only Classic winner on Cinna in the 1920 1,000 Guineas. He retired from the saddle two years later.
He became a run-of-the-mill trainer, with the Duke of Westminster among his patrons., and sent out horses from 1924 to 1933.
He became a run-of-the-mill trainer, with the Duke of Westminster among his patrons., and sent out horses from 1924 to 1933.
In retirement he visited Switzerland every winter and he died there in 1972 during a game of curling.
In retirement he visited Switzerland every winter and he died there in 1972 during a game of curling.
He was recalled as a most unexcitable man, never seeming to be enthusiastic about anything. He would often stand on the road which runs down the side of Mildenhall Golf Course watching the players in a strangely detached manner.
He was recalled as a most unexcitable man, never seeming to be enthusiastic about anything. He would often stand on the road which runs down the side of Mildenhall Golf Course watching the players in a strangely detached manner.
In appearance, William was taller than ideal for his profession, but pencil-thin. He was not robust-looking in any way but was very strong and wiry. He was always well dressed and happiest in very tight-fitting check knickerbockers with a jacket, bow tie, and a check cap.
In appearance, William was taller than ideal for his profession, but pencil-thin. He was not robust-looking in any way but was very strong and wiry. He was always well dressed and happiest in very tight-fitting check knickerbockers with a jacket, bow tie, and a check cap.
His son, William F. P. Griggs, born in Newmarket on January 18, 1922, rode a few winners as an apprentice and later trained. He died in 2005.
His son, William F. P. Griggs, born in Newmarket on January 18, 1922, rode a few winners as an apprentice and later trained. He died in 2005.
Classic winner: 1,000 Guineas: Cinna (1920)
Classic winner: 1,000 Guineas: Cinna (1920)
Other big wins:
Other big wins:
1904: Chester Cup – Sandboy
1904: Chester Cup – Sandboy
1904: Stewards Cup – Melayr
1904: Stewards Cup – Melayr
1905: Lincolnshire Handicap – Sansovino
1905: Lincolnshire Handicap – Sansovino
1905: Goodwood Cup – Red Robe
1905: Goodwood Cup – Red Robe
Lincoln Handicap finish 1905