Walter Lees
Walter Lees
Walter Lees
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Walter James Lees rode over jumps in Britain for more than two decades, amassing 23 wins. He never had more than four in a season, and that only once, did not ride in any big races, and only had one double during his career, but clearly had enough ability to be offered rides season after season.
Walter James Lees rode over jumps in Britain for more than two decades, amassing 23 wins. He never had more than four in a season, and that only once, did not ride in any big races, and only had one double during his career, but clearly had enough ability to be offered rides season after season.
Born in 1885, he had his first ride at Hexham on May 5, 1909, when unplaced on Knead in the Corbridge Handicap Hurdle. His first win came two years later when Aguador won the Springs Selling Hurdle at Wetherby on April 18, 1911. He had to survive an objection by Edward Raine, jockey of the runner-up Isabelle II, on the grounds of foul riding, but this was swiftly overruled, meaning Walter was on his way.
Born in 1885, he had his first ride at Hexham on May 5, 1909, when unplaced on Knead in the Corbridge Handicap Hurdle. His first win came two years later when Aguador won the Springs Selling Hurdle at Wetherby on April 18, 1911. He had to survive an objection by Edward Raine, jockey of the runner-up Isabelle II, on the grounds of foul riding, but this was swiftly overruled, meaning Walter was on his way.
The first eight of his winners were all owned by Captain, later Colonel, George Paynter, a noted and highly capable amateur rider. The first time Walter rode someone else’s horses to victory he achieved his only double, at Brocklesby Hunt on April 21, 1921, winning the Pelham Chase on Fra’ Lincs and the United Services’ Chase on Littlewanted. For good measure, Colonel Paynter won the Hunters’ Chase on Delirium, who had carried Walter to victory at Derby two months earlier.
The first eight of his winners were all owned by Captain, later Colonel, George Paynter, a noted and highly capable amateur rider. The first time Walter rode someone else’s horses to victory he achieved his only double, at Brocklesby Hunt on April 21, 1921, winning the Pelham Chase on Fra’ Lincs and the United Services’ Chase on Littlewanted. For good measure, Colonel Paynter won the Hunters’ Chase on Delirium, who had carried Walter to victory at Derby two months earlier.
He rode his last winner on April 30, 1931, at Hexham, the course at which he had his first ride 22 years earlier, when Lady Margaret II beat three rivals to take the Beacon Selling Handicap Chase, scoring by six lengths. He rode the mare once more, at Market Rasen on May 18, finishing second, beaten two lengths by that year’s Grand National-winning jockey Bob Lyall on Sentenced.
He rode his last winner on April 30, 1931, at Hexham, the course at which he had his first ride 22 years earlier, when Lady Margaret II beat three rivals to take the Beacon Selling Handicap Chase, scoring by six lengths. He rode the mare once more, at Market Rasen on May 18, finishing second, beaten two lengths by that year’s Grand National-winning jockey Bob Lyall on Sentenced.
Walter Lees’ wins were, in chronological order:
Walter Lees’ wins were, in chronological order:
1. Aguador, Wetherby, April 18, 1911
1. Aguador, Wetherby, April 18, 1911
2. Jack Symons, Wetherby, April 8, 1912
2. Jack Symons, Wetherby, April 8, 1912
3. Finnigan, Leicester, December 8, 1914
3. Finnigan, Leicester, December 8, 1914
4. Finnigan, Southwell, April 26, 1915
4. Finnigan, Southwell, April 26, 1915
5. Dernish, Leicester, March 9, 1920
5. Dernish, Leicester, March 9, 1920
6. Blazers, Uttoxeter, April 12, 1920
6. Blazers, Uttoxeter, April 12, 1920
7. Cream Cracker, Leicester, December 6, 1920
7. Cream Cracker, Leicester, December 6, 1920
8. Delirium, Derby, February 21, 1921
8. Delirium, Derby, February 21, 1921
9. Fra’ Lincs, Brocklesby, April 21, 1921
9. Fra’ Lincs, Brocklesby, April 21, 1921
10. Littlewanted, Brocklesby, April 21, 1921
10. Littlewanted, Brocklesby, April 21, 1921
11. Cardinal, Southwell, April 15, 1922
11. Cardinal, Southwell, April 15, 1922
12. Bulgaden, Uttoxeter, October 16, 1922
12. Bulgaden, Uttoxeter, October 16, 1922
13. Culprit, Market Rasen, April 2, 1923
13. Culprit, Market Rasen, April 2, 1923
14. Declare’s Hope, Nottingham, October 30, 1923
14. Declare’s Hope, Nottingham, October 30, 1923
15. Kincraig, Market Rasen, May 17, 1924
15. Kincraig, Market Rasen, May 17, 1924
16. Kincraig, Uttoxeter, May 19, 1924
16. Kincraig, Uttoxeter, May 19, 1924
17. Typical, Southwell, June 7, 1924
17. Typical, Southwell, June 7, 1924
18. Ibstock, Huntingdon, June 9, 1924
18. Ibstock, Huntingdon, June 9, 1924
19. Charley’s Uncle, Market Rasen, September 12, 1925
19. Charley’s Uncle, Market Rasen, September 12, 1925
20. Charley’s Uncle, Southwell, September 18, 1925
20. Charley’s Uncle, Southwell, September 18, 1925
21. Desert Lady, Retford Hunt, March 28, 1927
21. Desert Lady, Retford Hunt, March 28, 1927
22. Edwin, Huntingdon, April 1, 1929
22. Edwin, Huntingdon, April 1, 1929
23. Lady Margaret II, Hexham, April 30, 1931
23. Lady Margaret II, Hexham, April 30, 1931
Walter's only double, scored at Derby, February 21, 1921
Walter's only double, scored at Derby, February 21, 1921