William 'Bill' Higgs
1879 -1958
Embedded Files
William "Bill" Higgs was the preeminent jockey of the late Edwardian era, securing back-to-back Champion Jockey titles in 1906 and 1907. He possessed a remarkably calm, almost phlegmatic temperament - trainers spoke of his 'quiet hands' - and was the trusted stable jockey for Sam Darling at Beckhampton. He was one of the first British jockeys to successfully modify the 'Sloan crouch'. While some jockeys looked unstable in the new American style, Bill maintained the balance of the old school while embracing the aerodynamic advantages of the new - consequently, he emerged as one of the most stylish riders of the 1900s.
His championship peak in 1907 saw him ride 146 winners, including a masterful victory in the 2,000 Guineas aboard the volatile Slieve Gallion. While he narrowly missed Derby glory on that same horse, his legacy was cemented through his partnership with the 'iron horse', Willonyx, with which he swept the great staying prizes of 1911, including the Ascot Gold Cup and a record-breaking performance in the Cesarewitch.
A shrewd businessman outside the saddle, Bill reinvested his earnings into the turf, becoming a respected breeder at his own Blacklands Stud in Wiltshire. Unlike many of his contemporaries whose lives ended in hardship, Bill lived to be an elder statesman of the sport, representing a bridge between the Victorian "long-stirrup" era and the modern "American" crouch.
Born within the sound of Bow Bells at 22, Ewing Street, Mile End, London - Bill began his apprenticeship with Lambourn trainer Charles Humphreys. When Humphreys died, his indentures were transferred to J. Chandler. Bill also had a short spell riding in Ireland, mainly for J C Sullivan. Due to lack of mounts, and therefore experience, this move seemed to be going nowhere, especially as he was beginning to suffer digestive problems, brought on by constant wasting. He eventually returned to England.
Born within the sound of Bow Bells at 22, Ewing Street, Mile End, London - Bill began his apprenticeship with Lambourn trainer Charles Humphreys. When Humphreys died, his indentures were transferred to J. Chandler. Bill also had a short spell riding in Ireland, mainly for J C Sullivan. Due to lack of mounts, and therefore experience, this move seemed to be going nowhere, especially as he was beginning to suffer digestive problems, brought on by constant wasting. He eventually returned to England.
Riding for Mr Sullivan, 24-year-old Bill won the first big race of his career landing the Great Ebor Handicap Plate at York on August 24 1904.
Bill's first winner was Miss Lettice at Sandown June 15, 1901
The Members' Bar. Great Ebor Handicap Day. York. 1904.
The thirteenth race for the Jockey Club Stakes of £10,000 was run on Thursday September 27 1906, at Newmarket, and was easily won by Bill Higgs riding Beppo. Keystone ll was second, Plum Tree third.
Bill won a second Ebor in 1905 on The Page, beating Bibiani a neck.
In 1906, he went on to become Champion Jockey with 149 wins. He headed the list again the following year when he rode 150 winners, including Two Thousand Guineas winner Slieve Gallion and Land League in the Cambridgeshire.
On May 1 1907 Bill won his only classic race.
The sporting press was enamored with the partnership between Higgs and Slieve Gallion. After the win, reporters noted the jockey’s cool head in managing a horse that many feared was too temperamental for a Classic race.
"Higgs handled the son of Gallinule with a delicacy that disarmed the critics. While others might have wrestled with the colt's impetuosity, Higgs sat like a statue, allowing the horse to find his own magnificent stride."
Slieve Gallon
At Newbury, 27th September 1907, William rode the first five winners.
At Newbury, 27th September 1907, William rode the first five winners.
An embroidered silk panel commemorating the achievement was commissioned, the embroidered inscription naming the winners within a floral decorated border on an ivory ground and red border.
An embroidered silk panel commemorating the achievement was commissioned, the embroidered inscription naming the winners within a floral decorated border on an ivory ground and red border.
"A jockey of the highest integrity and the quietest hands... Higgs does not ride for the gallery; he rides for the judge's box." — The Pink 'Un (Sporting Times), c. 1907.
Bill had won the final race on the card the day before - therefore, Galafield was his sixth consecutive winner. For the record, he missed out on going through the card when finishing unplaced in the concluding 17-runner Manton Nursery aboard Lord Rosebery's 8 to 1 chance Alistair.
Bill and the prolific Willonyx (dubbed by the public as the Iron Horse) enjoyed a remarkable 1911 together.
They won the Chester Cup, the Ascot Gold Cup, the Jockey Club Stakes and the Cesarewitch.
On May 15 1926, Bill's jockey son, Arnold, fell fatally from his mount whilst riding at Chester.
Tragically, Bill was to endure the loss of a second son, Anthony, who died after a freak accident on the family's farm in Blewbury, Didcot, on 31 March 1932
His riding record over his last seasons was: 1905 – 107; 1906 – 149; 1907 – 146; 1908 – 124; 1909- 101; 1910- 70; 1911-47.
His riding record over his last seasons was: 1905 – 107; 1906 – 149; 1907 – 146; 1908 – 124; 1909- 101; 1910- 70; 1911-47.
Bill rode a total of 1,002 winners.
Bill rode a total of 1,002 winners.
Bill's 1,002 winners brought him substabtial wealth, money that he invested wisely. Afetr giving up riding in 1913, he formed the Blacklandsn Stud at Calne, Beckhampton, which he eventually sold to Fred Darling.
Born on February 8, 1880, Bill died in a Warwick hospital on December 12 1958, aged 78.
Born on February 8, 1880, Bill died in a Warwick hospital on December 12 1958, aged 78.
1910
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse