William Lane
1883 - 1920
1883 - 1920
Willie George Lane, the son of a Chelsea jobmaster, was born on February 21, 1883, in Kensington, London.
Willie George Lane, the son of a Chelsea jobmaster, was born on February 21, 1883, in Kensington, London.
Apprenticed to David Longhurst, he rode his first winner, Palmira, at Leicester on October 5, 1899, and quickly made his mark. Just three years later he headed the list of winning jockeys with 170 victories.
Apprenticed to David Longhurst, he rode his first winner, Palmira, at Leicester on October 5, 1899, and quickly made his mark. Just three years later he headed the list of winning jockeys with 170 victories.
Then began a stunning run of 12 victories on Pretty Polly, said later by many to be the mare of the century. Lane and Pretty Polly won between them the 1,000 Guineas, the Oaks, the Coronation Stakes, the Nassau Stakes, the St Leger and the Park Hill Stakes.
Then began a stunning run of 12 victories on Pretty Polly, said later by many to be the mare of the century. Lane and Pretty Polly won between them the 1,000 Guineas, the Oaks, the Coronation Stakes, the Nassau Stakes, the St Leger and the Park Hill Stakes.
Other races won (on other horses) included the St James’s Palace Stakes, the Ascot Gold Cup, the Norfolk Stakes, the Gimcrack and the Doncaster Cup. Lane also scored a notable Epsom double in 1904 winning the Great Metropolitan on Elba and the City and Suburban on Robert le Diable.
Other races won (on other horses) included the St James’s Palace Stakes, the Ascot Gold Cup, the Norfolk Stakes, the Gimcrack and the Doncaster Cup. Lane also scored a notable Epsom double in 1904 winning the Great Metropolitan on Elba and the City and Suburban on Robert le Diable.
Aged 21 and just two weeks after winning the St Leger, Lane was on the crest of a wave. Then disaster struck. He suffered the most terrible fall at Lingfield. Riding Belosselsky, he was brought down by Master Newby in the Two Miles Selling Handicap. He never fully recovered from the effects of the accident and his career was over before it had barely begun.
Aged 21 and just two weeks after winning the St Leger, Lane was on the crest of a wave. Then disaster struck. He suffered the most terrible fall at Lingfield. Riding Belosselsky, he was brought down by Master Newby in the Two Miles Selling Handicap. He never fully recovered from the effects of the accident and his career was over before it had barely begun.
On July 24th, July 1905, Lane arrived in Wellington on the Iconic. He still held hopes of one day returning to the saddle, and had come to New Zealand to recuperate. Unfortunately, it was not to be - he never rode again.
On July 24th, July 1905, Lane arrived in Wellington on the Iconic. He still held hopes of one day returning to the saddle, and had come to New Zealand to recuperate. Unfortunately, it was not to be - he never rode again.
On 22nd June, 1920, while working on his garden at Tower House, Lingfield, Willie slipped and fell. He died five days later, leaving a widow (Clara Adela Lane) and two sons.
On 22nd June, 1920, while working on his garden at Tower House, Lingfield, Willie slipped and fell. He died five days later, leaving a widow (Clara Adela Lane) and two sons.
William left effects of £12,854 10s. 8d.
William left effects of £12,854 10s. 8d.
He was just 37 years of age.
He was just 37 years of age.
During his six seasons in the saddle, Willie Lane rode 2,952 horses of which 520 won, 466 came second and 360 came third.
During his six seasons in the saddle, Willie Lane rode 2,952 horses of which 520 won, 466 came second and 360 came third.
William's jockey brother, Joseph, was also badly hurt in a fall on the gallops.
William's jockey brother, Joseph, was also badly hurt in a fall on the gallops.