Bill Mitchell
Bill Mitchell
Bill Mitchell
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
William Mitchell, known as Bill, had plenty of rides under National Hunt rules during the 1930s and registered four wins.
William Mitchell, known as Bill, had plenty of rides under National Hunt rules during the 1930s and registered four wins.
His first ride was at Plumpton on December 14, 1931, when Pook’s Hill finished third in the Beginners’ Hurdle. The ‘Beginners’ element of the race’s title referred to the riders rather than the horses, for it was confined to jockeys who had never ridden a winner. Of the five riders who finished behind Bill that day, Colin Richards, younger brother of Gordon and Cliff Richards, went on to enjoy the most success.
His first ride was at Plumpton on December 14, 1931, when Pook’s Hill finished third in the Beginners’ Hurdle. The ‘Beginners’ element of the race’s title referred to the riders rather than the horses, for it was confined to jockeys who had never ridden a winner. Of the five riders who finished behind Bill that day, Colin Richards, younger brother of Gordon and Cliff Richards, went on to enjoy the most success.
It was more than a year before Bill had his first win, but it eventually came with a narrow victory on My Tutor in the Abbeydore Hurdle at Hereford on Easter Monday, April 17, 1933, beating Blaze, ridden by Bert Hughes, by a short head.
It was more than a year before Bill had his first win, but it eventually came with a narrow victory on My Tutor in the Abbeydore Hurdle at Hereford on Easter Monday, April 17, 1933, beating Blaze, ridden by Bert Hughes, by a short head.
Bill and My Tutor were placed in both of their subsequent starts that season, but it was not until February 5, 1935 that Bill next visited the winner’s enclosure, when North Star landed the Lighthorne Selling Hurdle at Warwick by three lengths. That was the same margin of victory achieved by Bill’s other winner that season, the six-year-old Craigendoran, who won the Macclesfield Selling Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter on March 4, beating Southern Maid, the mount of James Ward, and seven others to land the spoils, despite being slowly away.
Bill and My Tutor were placed in both of their subsequent starts that season, but it was not until February 5, 1935 that Bill next visited the winner’s enclosure, when North Star landed the Lighthorne Selling Hurdle at Warwick by three lengths. That was the same margin of victory achieved by Bill’s other winner that season, the six-year-old Craigendoran, who won the Macclesfield Selling Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter on March 4, beating Southern Maid, the mount of James Ward, and seven others to land the spoils, despite being slowly away.
Bill had ridden Craigendoran in all eight of his previous starts that season, but the best they had managed was one fourth place, and the gelding had been pulled up and badly away in his last two efforts. That Uttoxeter success did not mark an immediate upsurge in performance, for Craigendoran only managed two third places in six subsequent starts.
Bill had ridden Craigendoran in all eight of his previous starts that season, but the best they had managed was one fourth place, and the gelding had been pulled up and badly away in his last two efforts. That Uttoxeter success did not mark an immediate upsurge in performance, for Craigendoran only managed two third places in six subsequent starts.
However, the following season was more successful, with four places for the pair in their first four starts, and then at Cheltenham on April 16, 1936, Craigendoran gave Bill his final win when taking the Charlton Selling Handicap Hurdle by a neck over Chips, partnered by the amateur rider Gresham Wood.
However, the following season was more successful, with four places for the pair in their first four starts, and then at Cheltenham on April 16, 1936, Craigendoran gave Bill his final win when taking the Charlton Selling Handicap Hurdle by a neck over Chips, partnered by the amateur rider Gresham Wood.
Craigendoran also provided Bill with his final ride when finishing unplaced in a field of 17 for the Ledbury Selling Handicap Hurdle at Colwall Park on May 29, 1937.
Craigendoran also provided Bill with his final ride when finishing unplaced in a field of 17 for the Ledbury Selling Handicap Hurdle at Colwall Park on May 29, 1937.
Bill had had to put up a pound overweight at 10st 7lb when winning on Craigendoran at Cheltenham, so it may be that rising weight curtailed his career.
Bill had had to put up a pound overweight at 10st 7lb when winning on Craigendoran at Cheltenham, so it may be that rising weight curtailed his career.
Bill's first winner was My Tutor at Hereford, April 17, 1933
Bill's second winner: North Star, Warwick, February 5, 1935
His third winner, Craigendoran, Uttoxeter, March 4, 1935
Bill's final winner came at Cheltenham, April 16, 1936