William Hunt
1851 - 1938
1851 - 1938
Born in Ashford, Kent in 1851, William Frank Hunt rode successfully under both codes. He was runner-up to George Fordham in the 1869 Flat jockeys’ table with 91 winners to Fordham’s 95.
Born in Ashford, Kent in 1851, William Frank Hunt rode successfully under both codes. He was runner-up to George Fordham in the 1869 Flat jockeys’ table with 91 winners to Fordham’s 95.
On the Flat he won both the Goodwood and Doncaster Cups, while over jumps his victories included the Liverpool Hurdle and the Grand International Hurdle. He also took part in four Grand Nationals, finishing fifth in 1884.
On the Flat he won both the Goodwood and Doncaster Cups, while over jumps his victories included the Liverpool Hurdle and the Grand International Hurdle. He also took part in four Grand Nationals, finishing fifth in 1884.
His first major victory was achieved on King o’ Scots in the 1870 Prince of Wales’s Stakes. The following year he rode Shannon to win the Goodwood Cup and the Doncaster Cup, then won the Middle Park Stakes for trainer Joseph Dawson on Prince Charlie.
His first major victory was achieved on King o’ Scots in the 1870 Prince of Wales’s Stakes. The following year he rode Shannon to win the Goodwood Cup and the Doncaster Cup, then won the Middle Park Stakes for trainer Joseph Dawson on Prince Charlie.
It was presumably rising weight that made him turn his attention to jumping. He rode his first winner in that sphere on a horse named Venom in the Maiden Hurdle Plate, a one-mile four-furlong race over six flights at Walsall on August 8, 1873. He continued riding under both rules until becoming too heavy to make the weight for mounts on the Flat.
It was presumably rising weight that made him turn his attention to jumping. He rode his first winner in that sphere on a horse named Venom in the Maiden Hurdle Plate, a one-mile four-furlong race over six flights at Walsall on August 8, 1873. He continued riding under both rules until becoming too heavy to make the weight for mounts on the Flat.
William had his first Grand National mount on 20-1 shot Miss Lizzie in 1878, finishing in a highly creditable fifth place behind Shifnal. His second attempt in 1881 was not so rewarding, for his mount, 25-1 chance Fabius, refused.
William had his first Grand National mount on 20-1 shot Miss Lizzie in 1878, finishing in a highly creditable fifth place behind Shifnal. His second attempt in 1881 was not so rewarding, for his mount, 25-1 chance Fabius, refused.
He enjoyed his most successful year over jumps in 1884 with 13 winners. They included that year’s Grand International Hurdle over two miles at Croydon aboard 25-1 outsider Chicard, who defied his long odds to win easily by six lengths. That race took place on March 4. The following month he followed up in the similarly-titled but less prestigious Grand Handicap Hurdle over the same course and distance.
He enjoyed his most successful year over jumps in 1884 with 13 winners. They included that year’s Grand International Hurdle over two miles at Croydon aboard 25-1 outsider Chicard, who defied his long odds to win easily by six lengths. That race took place on March 4. The following month he followed up in the similarly-titled but less prestigious Grand Handicap Hurdle over the same course and distance.
He also had his third Grand National ride in 1884 on the 13-year-old Regal, who had won the Aintree marathon eight years earlier when only five. Sadly, there was to be no repeat, for Regal broke down and was pulled up.
He also had his third Grand National ride in 1884 on the 13-year-old Regal, who had won the Aintree marathon eight years earlier when only five. Sadly, there was to be no repeat, for Regal broke down and was pulled up.
William’s fourth and last Grand National mount was 25-1 shot Candahar who refused.
William’s fourth and last Grand National mount was 25-1 shot Candahar who refused.
Returning to Aintree in 1888, he won the Liverpool Hurdle on Mr T. Stones’s six-year-old mare Bonnie Lassie, an 8-1 chance, who defied top weight of 12st 10lb to win by three-quarters of a length.
Returning to Aintree in 1888, he won the Liverpool Hurdle on Mr T. Stones’s six-year-old mare Bonnie Lassie, an 8-1 chance, who defied top weight of 12st 10lb to win by three-quarters of a length.
William rode his last winner on Merry Lass in the Warwick Handicap Hurdle at Warwick on February 21, 1889. He appeared for the final time when riding a horse named Coalheaver, who refused in the Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on October 18, 1890.
William rode his last winner on Merry Lass in the Warwick Handicap Hurdle at Warwick on February 21, 1889. He appeared for the final time when riding a horse named Coalheaver, who refused in the Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on October 18, 1890.
William Hunt, who was married for 64 years, died in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, on July 25, 1938, aged 86.
William Hunt, who was married for 64 years, died in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, on July 25, 1938, aged 86.
Biggest wins
Biggest wins
1870: Prince of Wales’s Stakes – King o’ Scots
1870: Prince of Wales’s Stakes – King o’ Scots
1870: Northumberland Plate - Kennington
1870: Northumberland Plate - Kennington
1871: Goodwood Cup – Shannon
1871: Goodwood Cup – Shannon
1871: Doncaster Cup – Shannon
1871: Doncaster Cup – Shannon
1871: Middle Park Stakes – Prince Charlie
1871: Middle Park Stakes – Prince Charlie
1884: Grand International Hurdle – Chicard
1884: Grand International Hurdle – Chicard
1888: Liverpool Hurdle – Bonnie Lassie
1888: Liverpool Hurdle – Bonnie Lassie
