William Huxley
1895 - 1965
1895 - 1965
William Huxley was born in Randwick, Australia on January 24, 1895, the son of top jockey Ernest Austin Huxley (1870 - 1940), whose victories included the 1898 Caulfield Cup on Cremorne.
William Huxley was born in Randwick, Australia on January 24, 1895, the son of top jockey Ernest Austin Huxley (1870 - 1940), whose victories included the 1898 Caulfield Cup on Cremorne.
William came to England and served his apprenticeship with Richard Wootton. He quickly made his mark, riding 62 winners in 1911 including four winners at Epsom’s Spring Meeting in April, the highlight of which was the City and Suburban Handicap on Mushroom. He won that race again a year later on Chili II.
William came to England and served his apprenticeship with Richard Wootton. He quickly made his mark, riding 62 winners in 1911 including four winners at Epsom’s Spring Meeting in April, the highlight of which was the City and Suburban Handicap on Mushroom. He won that race again a year later on Chili II.
In 1914 William won the One Thousand Guineas and Oaks on the same filly, Princess Dorrie.
In 1914 William won the One Thousand Guineas and Oaks on the same filly, Princess Dorrie.
By December, 1915, Huxley was earning £2,000 per annum but, as he was still legally a minor (or infant as it was then known) was obliged to resort to legal action as he felt that, at his age, he should not be paying tax on his earnings. The three judges of the Court of Kings Bench ruled that an infant was certainly liable to pay tax. This decision was overturned by the Court Of Appeal.
By December, 1915, Huxley was earning £2,000 per annum but, as he was still legally a minor (or infant as it was then known) was obliged to resort to legal action as he felt that, at his age, he should not be paying tax on his earnings. The three judges of the Court of Kings Bench ruled that an infant was certainly liable to pay tax. This decision was overturned by the Court Of Appeal.
On hearing of his son’s success, Ernest Huxley came to England, leaving his wife and children penniless in Sydney. He asked William for £1,000 and £10 a week which was refused. William presumed his father was getting stable tips and that, to pay his father, would be prejudicial to him. He was already sending money to maintain his mother.
On hearing of his son’s success, Ernest Huxley came to England, leaving his wife and children penniless in Sydney. He asked William for £1,000 and £10 a week which was refused. William presumed his father was getting stable tips and that, to pay his father, would be prejudicial to him. He was already sending money to maintain his mother.
After the First World War ended, William went to ride in France and in India, where he was leading jockey. He returned to Australia around 1930 and had a few rides before increasing weight brought his riding career to a close. He then took up training.
After the First World War ended, William went to ride in France and in India, where he was leading jockey. He returned to Australia around 1930 and had a few rides before increasing weight brought his riding career to a close. He then took up training.
William died in Perth, Australia in September, 1965, aged 70.
William died in Perth, Australia in September, 1965, aged 70.
His brother Ernest Patrick Douglas (1896 - 1963) was also a jockey and, like William, was a champion apprentice.
His brother Ernest Patrick Douglas (1896 - 1963) was also a jockey and, like William, was a champion apprentice.
Classic winners:
Classic winners:
One Thousand Guineas: Princess Dorrie (1914)
One Thousand Guineas: Princess Dorrie (1914)
Oaks: Princess Dorrie (1914)
Oaks: Princess Dorrie (1914)
Other big wins:
Other big wins:
1911: City and Suburban Handicap – Mushroom
1911: City and Suburban Handicap – Mushroom
1912: City and Suburban Handicap – Chili II
1912: City and Suburban Handicap – Chili II
1912: Ebor Handicap – Blue Stone
1912: Ebor Handicap – Blue Stone
1914: Coronation Cup – Blue Stone
1914: Coronation Cup – Blue Stone
1914: July Cup – Golden Sun
1914: July Cup – Golden Sun
1914: Stewards Cup – Golden Sun (dead-heat)
1914: Stewards Cup – Golden Sun (dead-heat)
1915: City and Suburban Handicap – Black Jester
1915: City and Suburban Handicap – Black Jester
1915: Coronation Cup – Black Jester
1915: Coronation Cup – Black Jester
1915: Ebor Handicap – Black Jester
1915: Ebor Handicap – Black Jester