William Halsey
1867 – 1961
1867 – 1961
Nepcote Lodge Stables was built in 1892 on a seven-acre parcel of land in Steep Lane, Findon, for Sir John Alexander Miller of Befrons, Canterbury. He engaged William Halsey as both his private trainer and jockey. Halsey had first caught the public eye when riding the 100/1 shot Pan into second place behind the 4/1 favourite Ilex in the 1890 Grand National.
Nepcote Lodge Stables was built in 1892 on a seven-acre parcel of land in Steep Lane, Findon, for Sir John Alexander Miller of Befrons, Canterbury. He engaged William Halsey as both his private trainer and jockey. Halsey had first caught the public eye when riding the 100/1 shot Pan into second place behind the 4/1 favourite Ilex in the 1890 Grand National.
They met with phenomenal success, their first recorded win together coming on Easter Monday April 15th 1895 with Will o’ The Wisp at Manchester. Halsey, who could ride on the flat or over the jumps, became Champion jump jockey in 1885, the same year that he won the Scottish Grand National on the aptly named Nepcote.
They met with phenomenal success, their first recorded win together coming on Easter Monday April 15th 1895 with Will o’ The Wisp at Manchester. Halsey, who could ride on the flat or over the jumps, became Champion jump jockey in 1885, the same year that he won the Scottish Grand National on the aptly named Nepcote.
Halsey then turned his attention to the flat and, for the next nine seasons, trained and rode over 700 winners including the 1901 2,000 Guineas on Handicapper and the 1907 St Leger on Wool Winder. He trained Hapsburg, runner up in the Derby and an Eclipse winner. He rode Bachelor’s Button to win the Champion Stakes. In 1923 Walsey capped his career by training Waygood to win the Irish Derby. He retired the following year and spent the remainder of his life at Newmarket. Still in possession of his faculties until the last few months, he died in Richmond, Surrey, on November 5, 1961 aged 94.
Halsey then turned his attention to the flat and, for the next nine seasons, trained and rode over 700 winners including the 1901 2,000 Guineas on Handicapper and the 1907 St Leger on Wool Winder. He trained Hapsburg, runner up in the Derby and an Eclipse winner. He rode Bachelor’s Button to win the Champion Stakes. In 1923 Walsey capped his career by training Waygood to win the Irish Derby. He retired the following year and spent the remainder of his life at Newmarket. Still in possession of his faculties until the last few months, he died in Richmond, Surrey, on November 5, 1961 aged 94.
He left estate valued at £55,678.
He left estate valued at £55,678.
Biggest wins:
Biggest wins:
Classics:
Classics:
1901: Two Thousand Guineas - Handicapper
1901: Two Thousand Guineas - Handicapper
1907: St Leger - Wool Winder
1907: St Leger - Wool Winder
Other big wins:
Other big wins:
1900: Cesarewitch - Clarehaven
1900: Cesarewitch - Clarehaven
1902: Northumberland Plate - Osbech
1902: Northumberland Plate - Osbech
1904: Champion Stakes - Bachelor's Button
1904: Champion Stakes - Bachelor's Button
1907: Sussex Stakes - Wool Winder
1907: Sussex Stakes - Wool Winder
1907: Ascot Gold Cup - The White Knight
1907: Ascot Gold Cup - The White Knight
1907: Manchester November Handicap - Baltinglass
1907: Manchester November Handicap - Baltinglass
1907: Coronation Cup - The White Knight
1907: Coronation Cup - The White Knight
1907: Goodwood Cup - The White Knight
1907: Goodwood Cup - The White Knight
1908: Coronation Cup - The White Knight
1908: Coronation Cup - The White Knight
1908: Ascot Gold Cup - The White Knight
1908: Ascot Gold Cup - The White Knight
1908: Ebor Handicap - Rousay
1908: Ebor Handicap - Rousay
Speaking in 1929 he said, “there are more good horses seen out in one season now than was the case in four or five seasons at the commencement of the century. It is more difficult to win the Derby as the years roll on. The present day horses are unmistakably superior to the horses of my day and scientific breeding has been responsible for the great improvement.”
Speaking in 1929 he said, “there are more good horses seen out in one season now than was the case in four or five seasons at the commencement of the century. It is more difficult to win the Derby as the years roll on. The present day horses are unmistakably superior to the horses of my day and scientific breeding has been responsible for the great improvement.”
Billy Halsey was born at Potter's Bar, Middlesex, on April 12, 1867.
Billy Halsey was born at Potter's Bar, Middlesex, on April 12, 1867.
He was brought up by his grandmother near Barnet and began his working life driving a butcher's cart.
He was brought up by his grandmother near Barnet and began his working life driving a butcher's cart.
His son, Claude (1889 - 1955) also became a jockey, gaining his first win in 1904.
His son, Claude (1889 - 1955) also became a jockey, gaining his first win in 1904.
