Bill Jones
Welshman William (Bill) Jones, from Castleton, Gwent, was a leading amateur rider under rules and in point-to-points from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s. Among the trainers he rode for were Bob Turnell, Toby Balding and Bill Marshall. He rode 100 point-to-points winners, many of them on Spurn Head, and 27 under National Hunt rules, including the United Hunts’ Challenge Cup at Cheltenham and Stratford’s Final Champion Hunters’ Chase, both on Dark Island.
Welshman William (Bill) Jones, from Castleton, Gwent, was a leading amateur rider under rules and in point-to-points from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s. Among the trainers he rode for were Bob Turnell, Toby Balding and Bill Marshall. He rode 100 point-to-points winners, many of them on Spurn Head, and 27 under National Hunt rules, including the United Hunts’ Challenge Cup at Cheltenham and Stratford’s Final Champion Hunters’ Chase, both on Dark Island.
Spurn Head provided Bill with his first win under rules when landing the Tradegar Challenge
Spurn Head provided Bill with his first win under rules when landing the Tradegar Challenge
Cup Hunters’ Chase at Chepstow on March 20, 1954. He won seven more hunter chases on Spurn Head including the valuable Foxhill Cup at Newbury in 1956.
Cup Hunters’ Chase at Chepstow on March 20, 1954. He won seven more hunter chases on Spurn Head including the valuable Foxhill Cup at Newbury in 1956.
He enjoyed his best season with six wins in 1957/58, the highlight being Dark Island’s four-length victory in the United Hunts’ Challenge Cup Hunters’
He enjoyed his best season with six wins in 1957/58, the highlight being Dark Island’s four-length victory in the United Hunts’ Challenge Cup Hunters’
Chase at Cheltenham in March.
Chase at Cheltenham in March.
He also won the Norfolk Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase at Fontwell on Bill Marshall’s horse Arthur Cox, then rounded off the season by winning the Final Champion Hunters’ Chase (better known as the Horse and Hound Cup) at Stratford on Dark Island.
He also won the Norfolk Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase at Fontwell on Bill Marshall’s horse Arthur Cox, then rounded off the season by winning the Final Champion Hunters’ Chase (better known as the Horse and Hound Cup) at Stratford on Dark Island.
Bill’s sole success under NH rules the following season came courtesy of Young Hinds in the Ralph Morel Challenge Cup Handicap Chase at Chepstow on
Bill’s sole success under NH rules the following season came courtesy of Young Hinds in the Ralph Morel Challenge Cup Handicap Chase at Chepstow on
Easter Monday. He rode winners for two or three South Wales-based permit holders during the early 1960s.
Easter Monday. He rode winners for two or three South Wales-based permit holders during the early 1960s.
In 1965 he won twice on Mr Worth, including the Clive Hunters’ Challenge Cup at Cheltenham’s April fixture.
In 1965 he won twice on Mr Worth, including the Clive Hunters’ Challenge Cup at Cheltenham’s April fixture.
His last two wins were achieved on Double A, the second of those being in the West of England Hunters’ Cup Chase at Devon & Exeter on June 1, 1968.
His last two wins were achieved on Double A, the second of those being in the West of England Hunters’ Cup Chase at Devon & Exeter on June 1, 1968.
Following his retirement from the saddle, Bill officiated as both a starter and a steward at various South Wales point-to-points. When asked why he’d never turned professional, he modestly replied that he wasn’t good enough.
Following his retirement from the saddle, Bill officiated as both a starter and a steward at various South Wales point-to-points. When asked why he’d never turned professional, he modestly replied that he wasn’t good enough.
He died in hospital in October 1981, aged 62, following a motor accident.
He died in hospital in October 1981, aged 62, following a motor accident.
Bill Jones’ winners under National Hunt rules were:
Bill Jones’ winners under National Hunt rules were:
1. Spurn Head, Chepstow, March 20, 1954
1. Spurn Head, Chepstow, March 20, 1954
2. Spurn Head, Lingfield Park, February 12, 1955
2. Spurn Head, Lingfield Park, February 12, 1955
3. Spurn Head, Beaufort Hunt, April 16, 1955
3. Spurn Head, Beaufort Hunt, April 16, 1955
4. Mount Taurus, Woore, May 12, 1955
4. Mount Taurus, Woore, May 12, 1955
5. Spurn Head, Newbury, March 3, 1956
5. Spurn Head, Newbury, March 3, 1956
6. Spurn Head, Chepstow, April 2, 1956
6. Spurn Head, Chepstow, April 2, 1956
7. Spurn Head, Warwick, February 4, 1957
7. Spurn Head, Warwick, February 4, 1957
8. Spurn Head, Warwick, March 2, 1957
8. Spurn Head, Warwick, March 2, 1957
9. Dark Island, Fontwell Park, June 10, 1957
9. Dark Island, Fontwell Park, June 10, 1957
10. Spurn Head, Warwick, February 22, 1958
10. Spurn Head, Warwick, February 22, 1958
11. Dark Island, Ludlow, March 5, 1958
11. Dark Island, Ludlow, March 5, 1958
12. Dark Island, Cheltenham, March 11, 1958
12. Dark Island, Cheltenham, March 11, 1958
13. Dark Island, Chepstow, April 7, 1958
13. Dark Island, Chepstow, April 7, 1958
14. Arthur Cox, Fontwell Park, April 14, 1958
14. Arthur Cox, Fontwell Park, April 14, 1958
15. Dark Island, Stratford-on-Avon, May 31, 1958
15. Dark Island, Stratford-on-Avon, May 31, 1958
16. Young Hinds, Chepstow, March 30, 1959
16. Young Hinds, Chepstow, March 30, 1959
17. Pointer Jack, Worcester, October 21, 1961
17. Pointer Jack, Worcester, October 21, 1961
18. Pointer Jack, Warwick, November 25, 1961
18. Pointer Jack, Warwick, November 25, 1961
19. Pointer Jack, Chepstow, April 23, 1962
19. Pointer Jack, Chepstow, April 23, 1962
20. Tarakee, Worcester, October 31, 1962
20. Tarakee, Worcester, October 31, 1962
21. Oh Dear Oh Dear!, Hereford, March 16, 1963
21. Oh Dear Oh Dear!, Hereford, March 16, 1963
22. Ring Road, Worcester, March 18, 1963
22. Ring Road, Worcester, March 18, 1963
23. Sandy Spur, Stratford-on-Avon, February 1, 1964
23. Sandy Spur, Stratford-on-Avon, February 1, 1964
24. Mr Worth, Cheltenham, April 1, 1965
24. Mr Worth, Cheltenham, April 1, 1965
25. Mr Worth, Worcester, April 14, 1965 (dead-heat)
25. Mr Worth, Worcester, April 14, 1965 (dead-heat)
26. Double A, Taunton, May 27, 1966
26. Double A, Taunton, May 27, 1966
27. Double A, Devon & Exeter, June 1, 1968
27. Double A, Devon & Exeter, June 1, 1968