William Hayhoe

William Hayhoe

Article by Alan Trout

Born in 1883, William Hayhoe rode on the Flat at the turn of the 20th century but had no success. However, he fared better over jumps with eight wins in the years leading up to the First World War. 

His first rides under National Hunt rules were at Haydock Park on December 1, 1906, when he partnered two horses owned, and probably trained, by former champion Flat jockey Sam Loates. Neither horse showed much, Nino running out in the Juvenile Selling Hurdle, and Queenscliffe finishing down the field in the Newton Handicap Hurdle. 

It was not until April 17, 1907 that William won a race, when Drumeen landed the Maiden Hurdle at Ipswich, beating the favourite Wild Damson, the mount of Leo Harland, by 12 lengths. 

Thereafter, William never had more than a dozen rides in a year but could still manage the occasional winner. His last success was on Melton Prior in the Moderate Handicap Hurdle at Leicester on March 10, 1914. His final ride was on Hampton Lad, who finished third in the Spring Handicap Chase at the same course on March 9, 1915. 

William Hayhoe’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Drumeen, Ipswich, April 17, 1907

2. Rushpool, Nottingham, January 28, 1908

3. May Marriage, Bungay, April 21, 1909

4. Mr. Battle, Hethersett, April 29, 1909

5. Diamant, Huntingdon, March 28, 1910

6. Malted Milk, Huntingdon, April 8, 1912

7. Ballyhist, Bungay, April 24, 1912

8. Melton Prior, Leicester, March 10, 1914