William Grosvenor
William Grosvenor
William Grosvenor
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born in 1877, William Grosvenor rode without success on the Flat at the end of the 19th century but fared much better over jumps with 17 wins between 1895 and 1903.
Born in 1877, William Grosvenor rode without success on the Flat at the end of the 19th century but fared much better over jumps with 17 wins between 1895 and 1903.
The first of these came at the two-day Monmouth meeting in 1895, with victory on the opening day in the Hendry Hurdle aboard the four-year-old Silver Lining II, who was making her debut over jumps and won by two lengths. The following day Silver Lining II repeated her success by taking the Raglan Hurdle by a length.
The first of these came at the two-day Monmouth meeting in 1895, with victory on the opening day in the Hendry Hurdle aboard the four-year-old Silver Lining II, who was making her debut over jumps and won by two lengths. The following day Silver Lining II repeated her success by taking the Raglan Hurdle by a length.
Later the same afternoon, Valley King had the same margin of victory when beating Hedgehog to land the Trophy Steeplechase, having finished third on the previous day, with William aboard, in the Minnow Hurdle. They followed up at Chepstow eleven days later, then Silver Lining II won again on the second day of the Chepstow meeting.
Later the same afternoon, Valley King had the same margin of victory when beating Hedgehog to land the Trophy Steeplechase, having finished third on the previous day, with William aboard, in the Minnow Hurdle. They followed up at Chepstow eleven days later, then Silver Lining II won again on the second day of the Chepstow meeting.
Despite having ridden five winners within the space of a fortnight, William did not visit the winner’s enclosure again until February 1896, when Silver Lining II won at Wolverhampton.
Despite having ridden five winners within the space of a fortnight, William did not visit the winner’s enclosure again until February 1896, when Silver Lining II won at Wolverhampton.
Over the next few years, he rode the occasional winner, achieving doubles at two minor Welsh courses. He also partnered Mediator in the 1897 Grand National, but his mount fell after being at the rear of the field throughout the first circuit.
Over the next few years, he rode the occasional winner, achieving doubles at two minor Welsh courses. He also partnered Mediator in the 1897 Grand National, but his mount fell after being at the rear of the field throughout the first circuit.
After the turn of the century, all his remaining wins were gained on Coal Tax, who won four times in 1902, including the King’s Heath Steeplechase at the annual Hall Green fixture in June, where he beat thirteen rivals, a big field for a chase at that time of year.
After the turn of the century, all his remaining wins were gained on Coal Tax, who won four times in 1902, including the King’s Heath Steeplechase at the annual Hall Green fixture in June, where he beat thirteen rivals, a big field for a chase at that time of year.
William’s final victory on Coal Tax was in the February Handicap Chase at Keele Park on February 18, 1903, winning by a length. His final ride was at Monmouth on March 23, 1904, when he finished unplaced on The Lyrist in the Vauxhall Maiden Chase.
William’s final victory on Coal Tax was in the February Handicap Chase at Keele Park on February 18, 1903, winning by a length. His final ride was at Monmouth on March 23, 1904, when he finished unplaced on The Lyrist in the Vauxhall Maiden Chase.
William Grosvenor’s winners were, in chronological order:
William Grosvenor’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Silver Lining II, Monmouth, March 14, 1895
1. Silver Lining II, Monmouth, March 14, 1895
2. Silver Lining II, Monmouth, March 15, 1895
2. Silver Lining II, Monmouth, March 15, 1895
3. Valley King, Monmouth, March 15, 1895
3. Valley King, Monmouth, March 15, 1895
4. Valley King, Chepstow, March 26, 1895
4. Valley King, Chepstow, March 26, 1895
5. Silver Lining II, Chepstow, March 27, 1895
5. Silver Lining II, Chepstow, March 27, 1895
6. Silver Lining II, Wolverhampton, February 24, 1896
6. Silver Lining II, Wolverhampton, February 24, 1896
7. Silver Lining II, Chepstow, March 23, 1896
7. Silver Lining II, Chepstow, March 23, 1896
8. Silver Lining II, Abergavenny, April 9, 1896
8. Silver Lining II, Abergavenny, April 9, 1896
9. Hawthorn King, Abergavenny, April 9, 1896
9. Hawthorn King, Abergavenny, April 9, 1896
10. Goldbeater, Llangibby & Tredegar Hunt, November 17, 1897
10. Goldbeater, Llangibby & Tredegar Hunt, November 17, 1897
11. The Panther, Llangibby & Tredegar Hunt, November 17, 1897
11. The Panther, Llangibby & Tredegar Hunt, November 17, 1897
12. Fairsail, Abergavenny, April 7, 1899
12. Fairsail, Abergavenny, April 7, 1899
13. Coal Tax, Bridgnorth, April 22, 1902
13. Coal Tax, Bridgnorth, April 22, 1902
14. Coal Tax, Hall Green, June 2, 1902
14. Coal Tax, Hall Green, June 2, 1902
15. Coal Tax, Cardiff, November 5, 1902
15. Coal Tax, Cardiff, November 5, 1902
16. Coal Tax, Newport, November 13, 1902
16. Coal Tax, Newport, November 13, 1902
17. Coal Tax, Keele Park, February 18, 1903
17. Coal Tax, Keele Park, February 18, 1903
William Grosvenor's Abergavenny double.
William Grosvenor's Abergavenny double.